visited a special car show at the art museum in Vero Beach, FL. Entitled “Rolling Sculpture”

[pmhowe]

Yesterday, my wife and I visited a special car show at the art museum in Vero Beach, FL.  Entitled “Rolling Sculpture”, it features cars (and two motorcycles) of the 1930s and early 1940s that showed exceptional styling in the Art Deco age. It was curated by Ken Gross, former director of the Peterson  museum.  Here is a link:

 

https://veronews.com/2023/02/16/wonder-on-wheels-rolling-sculpture-exhibits-a-rare-treat/

 

Below are some pictures I took.  There is a brochure available from the museum which discusses each car in some detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[pmhowe]

Here are some more photos:

 

 

 

 

 

[pmhowe]

And some more:

 

 

 

 

 

[pmhowe]

And a few more:

 

 

 

[pmhowe]

 

Getting near the end:

 

 

[pmhowe]

 

 

 

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Might be a good excuse to visit my long lost cousin in Vero....

[pmhowe]

And the last:

 

 

 

 

I saved the Pierce and the Packard to last, as I love them both. I have always admired the Pierce Silver Arrow. However, I think the Packard is a more graceful design.

 

It was a great show. Twenty-two cars and two motorcycles. It is open until the end of April. I recommend you see it if you can.

 

Phil

[1937hd45]

Thank you for the photos, thank you to the car owners that made the display possible. Bob

[Walt G]

The second long time owner and a good friend and good guy ( he bought it from the original owner) of the 34 Packard LeBaron coupe lives in retirement in Florida now - John Linhardt. I had the pleasure of riding up and back to the great pre WWII car show with him in that held annually in Ridgefield, Ct. many decades ago. That car show was the first I ever attended where there were "old" cars as the cutoff date to enter I believe was 1935.

[1937hd45]

24 minutes ago, Walt G said:

The second long time owner and a good friend and good guy ( he bought it from the original owner) of the 34 Packard LeBaron coupe lives in retirement in Florida now - John Linhardt. I had the pleasure of riding up and back to the great pre WWII car show with him in that held annually in Ridgefield, Ct. many decades ago. That car show was the first I ever attended where there were "old" cars as the cutoff date to enter I believe was 1935.

We're both somewhere on that field Walt, great times. Every major collection has a car that once graced the field at Ridgefield. Bob 

Edited April 5, 2023 by 1937hd45 (see edit history)

[31nash880]

Saw that exhibit a few years ago when it came through Raleigh NC. Was great!

[JACK M]

Was at Portland art museum a few years ago as well. Fun stuff.

23 hours ago, 31nash880 said:

Saw that exhibit a few years ago when it came through Raleigh NC. Was great!

 

[58L-Y8]

Fine representation of stellar examples, though a Cord 810/812 should have been included.  If a 1934-'36 Hupmobile coupe could be located, it would be a worthwhile addition.

[Dave Henderson]

The automobile regarded by many as the epitome of Rolling Sculpture is the Cord 810, designed by Gordon Buehrig, who  incidentally co-authored a book about it entitled "Rolling sculpture".  What a pity it seems no Cord was included in the display.  If I've missed one please correct me.  The closest I can see any vehicle exhibited coming close to being a Cord was the Rust Heinz designed '38 Phantom Corsair, which was built on a Cord platform.  The one off '34 Bendix SWC gave an additional but remote relationship to Cords.  It was a FWD car too, designed by Alfred Ney who was a close friend to Al Leamy, designer of the  FWD Cord L29.   

[pmhowe]

Hi Dave,

You are quite correct; there was no Cord 810 or 812 included in this exhibit. I also agree with you and 58L-Y8 that its inclusive would be appropriate. I think the Cord 810 is an extremely lovely car and very advanced for its time. When I was a teenager, I was sure I would own one someday. I haven't yet, but there is still a (very slight) chance. You could say there was also a relationship with the Graham and Cord, but the connection between the model shown and the Cord body shape is all but lost.

 

I enjoyed the show thoroughly. However, if I place emphasis upon the word "Sculpture" in the exhibit title, I would probably exclude several of the chosen cars: I have always thought the Chrysler Airflow was homely and, in my opinion, the Bendix and Tatra win no prizes. Even the Hispano shown seems to me to lack grace, at least in the view shown . From the rear, it shows  some real beauty (see picture).

 

 

Edited April 9, 2023 by pmhowe
spelling (see edit history)

[Graham Man]

Missing one of these... introduced in December 1931...frame painted body color 1932 Graham Blue Streak 8

 

[8E45E]

Very reminiscent of the 2018 Portland Art Museum "Shape of Speed" display:   Portland Art Museum - Studebaker Drivers Club Forum

 

There was a Cord sedan on display there.

 

Craig

[Dosmo]

Outstanding!  Thank you for taking the time to post these photos - most enjoyable.