by Mike –
I do not write about pre-war cars very often, however, I do find some of them interesting and beautiful.
Here are a few that I think are art on wheels that were shown at Amelia Island this past Sunday. These are some of the marques that usually win best in show at a typical Concours d’Elegance.
For some reason pre-war cars win best in show much more often than post-war cars.
1938 Talbot-Darracq T23 Drop Head Coupe
1938 Talbot-Darracq T23 Drop Head Coupe
1939 Bugatti Type 57C Galibier
1934 Bugatti Type 57 Aravis
1934 Bugatti Type 57 Aravis
1937 Delahaye 135 M Competition
Delage (I do not know the year nor the model)
I think a big attraction for the pre war cars is their overall appearance. They are very opulent but with classic proportions and not gaudy. Remember that post war cars, especially the early ones reflected their time period. The market for post war ravaged Europe didn’t want an all out luxury or “show off” cars. When the economic conditions allowed for luxury to be in vogue, the design concepts reflected a more modern look with a lot of American influenced design elements.
But what about a few years after the war – into the 1960s – isn’t a Ferrari 275 GTB just as elegant, although less complicated, than the cars shown here?