Styling Exhibition

Originally Running April 6 to August 15, 2010

The automobile revolutionized travel, commerce, and the day to day lives of people. Individuals were now able to experience freedom of movement that previously was unimaginable, changing both their lives and the accessibility of the world around them. Quickly the 'horseless carriages' began to replace the horse-drawn conveyances of previous generations and a more dynamic, faster and powerful vehicle took to the roads, bringing with it a new found sense of adventure.

Though the early automobiles were for the most part a motor mounted on a chassis with the barest of amenities for the driver—a seat and means of steering—they soon began to be fitted with coachwork by the famous carriage builders of the day. But the automobile was its own creature and a product of a new age, quickly developing a personality not suited to the coaches of yesteryear. This new and exciting technology was influenced by the rapid pace of the young 20th century and its styling was both a product of and an influence on that age.

Styling is not about nuts and bolts but a change in the perception of 'ordinary' to 'extraordinary'. Design creates looks which excite; lines with a flow that suggest speed, power and elegance. The creativity of the designer makes it possible to see beyond the everyday look of the production vehicle and create a personality and a unique character.

It has been said of automobile designers that "they're enthusiasts first, draughtsmen second and design engineers third." Elements of all three of these qualities can be seen in the automobiles of the Blackhawk Museum. The automobile was created at a time that the world was optimistic and accelerating into a mechanical age, and the automotive designer existed to ignite a passion for the new vehicle. A designer can, with paper, pencil and creativity, capture the essence of what he thinks a car should be and their styling puts the car in your heart and mind.

This exhibition explores the evolution of automotive styling and gives a glimpse at what the future may hold. All styling begins in the imagination of a designer and must then be conveyed from the mind through many physical processes before arriving at a finished design, pencil to paper, paper to clay model and so on down the line. It is necessary that a designer possesses artistic ability, creativity, imagination, hand-eye coordination, good taste and a bit of perfectionism to accomplish this grand task.

Over time technologies have improved and materials have changed, allowing the aesthetic and performance of the automobile to morph into a variety of styles and functions. The most beautiful of the styles throughout the years are represented in this exhibition and are housed at the Museum, made from metal, wood, steel, fiberglass and any other material that a designer could get their hands on. From a time when horses ruled the road through the space age, though the styles change, it will become apparent that the process of styling remains the same; it all begins with imagination and the skills to project those ideas into the real world.