The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston will host an exhibition of automobiles that are so beautifully sculpted, they can best described as works of art.
135M Competition Coupe (1936) —
The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston will host an exhibition of automobiles that are so beautifully sculpted, they can best described as works of art.
Peter Harholdt
There will be 14 cars and 3 motorcycles on display.
KJ Streamline Motorcycle (1930) —
There will be 14 cars and 3 motorcycles on display.
Peter Harholdt
All the automobiles featured were created during the Art Deco period.
H6B Dubonnet "Xenia" Coupe (1938) —
All the automobiles featured were created during the Art Deco period.
Peter Harholdt
The exhibition runs from Feb 21 thru May 30.
Twelve Model 1106 (1934) —
The exhibition runs from Feb 21 thru May 30.
Peter Harholdt
The Art Deco movement reached its peak between the first and second world wars.
Type 46 Semi‑profile Coupe (1929) —
The Art Deco movement reached its peak between the first and second world wars.
Peter Harholdt
According to the Museum of Fine Arts Director Gary Tinterow, this time period is "one of the most creative eras for international design in all mediums."
BMW R7 Concept Motorcycle (1934) —
According to the Museum of Fine Arts Director Gary Tinterow, this time period is "one of the most creative eras for international design in all mediums."
Peter Harholdt
Its aesthetic influence can be seen across fashion, architecture, design and autos industries of the time.
T150C‑SS Teardrop Coupe (1938) —
Its aesthetic influence can be seen across fashion, architecture, design and autos industries of the time.
Peter Harholdt
For car and motorcycle construction, the Art Deco movement introduced elegant curves and shiny metal bodies.
Indian Motorcycle, Chief (1940) —
For car and motorcycle construction, the Art Deco movement introduced elegant curves and shiny metal bodies.
Peter Harholdt
Several cars from the Art Deco era adopted a 'teardrop' form: a streamlined aesthetic that aids in aerodynamics.
Tatra, T97 (1938) —
Several cars from the Art Deco era adopted a 'teardrop' form: a streamlined aesthetic that aids in aerodynamics.
Peter Harholdt
Finer details such as grills, hood ornaments and windows were inspired by airplanes.
Auburn Automobile Company, Model 810 "Armchair" Beverly Sedan (1936) —
Finer details such as grills, hood ornaments and windows were inspired by airplanes.
Peter Harholdt
According to the event's curator Cindi Strauss, "transportation design in the first half of the 20th century affords numerous opportunities to study the global influence of style."
Imperial Model C‑2 Airflow Coupe (1935) —
According to the event's curator Cindi Strauss, "transportation design in the first half of the 20th century affords numerous opportunities to study the global influence of style."
Peter Harholdt
Many of the vehicles included in the exhibition are one-of-a-kind models.
Type C27 Aérosport Coupe (1934) —
Many of the vehicles included in the exhibition are one-of-a-kind models.
Peter Harholdt
This vehicle was designed for the president of Ford Motor Company, Edsel B. Ford. It is the only one ever made.
Edsel Ford's Model 40 Special Speedster (1934) —
This vehicle was designed for the president of Ford Motor Company, Edsel B. Ford. It is the only one ever made.
Peter Harholdt
This rare vehicle is described as a living area on wheels. It includes movable seats and a backseat that folds into a couch.
Stout Motor Car Company, Scarab (1936) —
This rare vehicle is described as a living area on wheels. It includes movable seats and a backseat that folds into a couch.
Peter Harholdt
The Scarab is described as the precursor to the modern day minivan.
Stout Motor Car Company, Scarab (1936) —
The Scarab is described as the precursor to the modern day minivan.
Peter Harholdt
This stylish vehicle features a leather interior and carpet by luxury French fashion brand, Hermès.
Delahye, 135MS Roadster (1937) —
This stylish vehicle features a leather interior and carpet by luxury French fashion brand, Hermès.
peter harholdt
Art and aerodynamics: An artful construction of cars and motorcycles

Story highlights

The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston showcases 17 vehicles from the Art Deco era

Gallery: See highlights from "Sculpted in Steel" exhibition

CNN  — 

Imagine owning a piece of artwork that you could sit inside, and even drive. At the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, the Art Deco vehicles which form the “Sculpted in Steel” exhibition prove exactly that is possible – beautifully constructed, they are as much works of art as modes of transport.

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Characterized by the use of luxurious materials and clean lines, the Art Deco aesthetic dominated the worlds of architecture, fashion and cars on a global scale between the first and second world wars.

The 14 cars and three motorcycles on show at the exhibition demonstrate the elegance of this era, which introduced concepts such as aerodynamic design and chrome detailing to vehicles.

Car bodies were blessed with shiny metal curves, while finer details such as grills, hood ornaments and windows were inspired by airplanes, and constructed using industrial materials.

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To see highlights from the exhibition, scroll through the gallery above.

“Sculpted in Steel” will take place at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston from February 21 to May 30 2016.