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Streamline Moderne or Art Deco?... [PIC]

Rich Sufficool · 2024-12-31T20:26:23Z

The Art Deco movement of geometric shapes replaced the Art Nouveau that celebrated shapes from nature like the Paris Metropolitain: Art Deco designs originally featured sharp angled geometrics but later morphed to curved geometrics giving everything from trains to toasters an aerodynamic look. So Streamline or Art Moderne and Art Deco are pretty much the same. Andre Dubonnet, aperitif scion, ex-WWl fighter pilot, race driver and engineer collaborated with designer/coach builder Jacques Saoutchik to build a one-off streamlined automobile based on a Hispano-Suiza H6B chassis that took the Art Moderne curves to a new level. This 1938 Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet "Xenia", named for his deceased second wife, was the first car to feature an aircraft style curved windscreen and removable side glass. The car featured his Dubonnet independent suspension system that when unveiled at the 1938 Paris Auto Show, he sold it to GM, Alfa Romeo, Delahaye and Fiat. Gordon Buehrig used the Xenia as an inspiration for the 'coffin nose' Cord. From the front grill to the bat wing rear, every aspect of the car has its own aerodynamic shape including the gas cap, door handles and the removal levers on the rear skirts and rear hatch. The only element on the car that has no curves is the Saoutchik badges on the rockers. After being hidden from the Germans during the war, it surfaced in 1946 to star in various French post-war celebratory events. Peter Mullen has the Xenia front and center in his huge collection of prewar French classics.

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Jack Dodds

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Posts: 39647

02/01/2025 9:53 pm

@100ford2003 Yeah come to think of it neither have I seen a 3-slice toaster Steve. Like the placing of a car's steering wheel in the center of the dashboard.....it just ain't natural! Lol.

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Bob Jackman

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Posts: 27138

03/01/2025 11:05 am

@rich-sufficool Thanks Rich, great examples all.

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Streamline Moderne or Art Deco?... [PIC]

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