Curve Design | Rounded forms Space arc surfaces Classic styling |
O
nce the automotive market reached saturation in the 1920's, to persuade vehicle owners that they needed to buy a new annual replacement, the practice of model-year design change was established. Thus the main thrust of automotive design became concerned with developing the visual aesthetic appearance of a vehicle. Automotive body shapes underwent plastic surgery every year, although the underlying engineering was unchanged.
To my eye, this endeavor reached its pinnacle in the 1930's, with graceful, sleek, rounded forms. This design motif did persist in certain market segments. Those vehicles that by their utilitarian nature are less susceptible to yearly design changes, like trucks, historically maintained their visual aesthetics for longer time frames.
