The American automobile has always been more than a means of transportation. The inspired fusion of form and function has meant that for more than a century now men and women have been driving about their daily business in machines which can only be described as works of art on wheels.

An examination of American car design as art, plus interviews with car designers such as Frank Hershey.

Designers include: Harley Earl, Bob Gregorie, Bill Mitchell, Irv Rybicki, Ramond Loewy, and others.

There are great cars, and then there are sports cars, those that have not only withstood the test of time but steadfastly defied it -- cars that have remained desirable and valuable for more than 50 years, to become the most treasured automotive artifacts of our time. Many of the automobiles pictured in this book are stunning examples of the motorcar and require no further credentials. Others have been selected because they were benchmarks in the history of the sports car in this century. Illustrated throughout, with more than three hundred color photos, this gorgeous profile of the most highly coveted cars on earth is sure to evoke the dream of all car enthusiasts: speed and adventure.

Essay by Frederic A. Sharf. Text by Richard Arbib.

This rich automotive history will engage car buffs for hours of learning and diversion, for the book differs from most chronicles of the evolution of the horseless carriage by focusing on one particular, and fascinating, aspect: the styling of cars--their 'overall shape, ornamentation and resulting aura.' Resting on the premise that 'styling sells, ' the authors' large-format, heavily illustrated account goes into luscious detail about important designers, influential design trends, and noteworthy (in their aesthetic appeal) car models throughout the entire 100-year history of the automobile. A distinctive addition to technology collections that all public libraries should consider for purchase. - Brad Hooper; 306p - YA: For browsers and reluctant readers, as well as YAs interested in cars. JC-