A Century of Car Design [Hardcover]

Penny Sparke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2002

This beautifully produced, lavishly illustrated book presents a detailed history of the automobile—but describes cars entirely in terms of design, with attention to the innovative artists who created auto bodies for the world's finest vehicles. The car is arguably the most important design icon of the past hundred years, and though its changes in appearance owe something to engineering developments, the most beautiful cars are proof that leading auto designers have been and continue to be true artists. This volume profiles major designers, with photos showing examples of their masterworks. Here, for instance are Raymond Loewy, designer of the revolutionary 1947 Studebaker . . . Giorgetto Giugiaro, designer of the Lotus Esprit and several superb models for Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati . . . Harley Earl, creator of General Motors' most innovative designs . . . and Ferdinand Porsche, creator of the original Volkswagen and several of the world's classic sports and racing cars. Here too are many of the finest examples of earlier classics from Daimler-Benz, Bugatti, Ford, Packard, and other auto makers. Today's most prominent designers are also discussed, and their cars shown. They include Bjorn Envall at Saab and Uwe Bahnsen at Ford, among many others. Comprehensive and clearly focused, A Century of Car Design will be valued by serious students of twentieth-century design, as well as by the millions of people for whom a love affair with cars has endured as a century-old preoccupation. Approximately 600 photos, 450 in color.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Photos of the designers' road-going creations are wonderful."


—Autoweek, October 20, 2003

From the Back Cover

The astonishing development of car design during the twentieth century is presented in this comprehensive account. A Century of Car Design chronicles style development from the pioneering models of Henry Ford and Karl Benz to the innovations of the 1990s. All the great designers and their influential automotive designs are featured, making this volume an invaluable resource for design students and essential reading for car enthusiasts.

Includes personal statements from international car designers such as Carl Olsen (Citroen) and Peter Birtwhistle (Mazda), timelines citing influential new models at the start of each chapter, and more than 600 photographs

Covers all major figures in car design from the United States, Britain, Germany, Italy, and France, including Sergio Pininfarina, Norman Bel Geddes, Alec Issigonis, Ferdinand Porsche, Pierre Boulanger, and many others

Also features priminent contemporary designers, such as Uwe Bahnsen (Ford), Patrick Le Quément (Renault), Bjorn Envall (Saab), and Geoff Lawson (Jaguar)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; 1 edition (September 8, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764154095
• ISBN-13: 978-0764154096
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,493,629 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best car book I own., March 26, 2008

By 

David Diller (NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Century of Car Design (Hardcover)

I was giving this book by my girlfriend. I have about two dozen car books and this is the best. It's loaded with great photos and is laid out very nicely. Just get it.