1957 Jaguar XKSS Roadster, formerly owned by Steve McQueen

Atlanta’s High Museum of Art is holding an exhibition which traces the evolution of the motor car from 1930 to 1965. To do this, it’s displaying 18 rare and beautiful cars which illustrate the influence of contemporary art, architecture, fashion and design on the automobile industry.

Most of the selected cars are one-of-a-kind or were built largely by hand and in small numbers, and it’s almost certain that all 18 have won awards at such prestigious events as Pebble Beach, broken records on racetracks, or been owned by individuals as famous as Clark Gable and Steve McQueen.

The organisers have selected the 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante (currently owned by noted collector ‘Chip’ Connor) as the exhibition highlight, but there’s such a variety of outstanding automobiles that Classic Driver readers will no doubt have their own opinion on the star attraction. Choose from the list below…

* 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow
* 1934 Packard Twelve Runabout Speedster, formerly owned by Clark Gable
* 1935 Duesenberg JN Roadster, formerly owned by Clark Gable
* 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster
* 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante Coupé
* 1937 Delage D8-120S, Surbaisse, formerly owned by Louis Delage
* 1937 Hispano-Suiza H-6C ‘Xenia’ Coupé
* 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C2900B Touring Berlinetta
* 1938/39 Porsche Type 64 Coupé replica
* 1953 Porsche 550 Le Mans/La Carrera Panamericana Coupé
* 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SLR (W196-S)
* 1957 Jaguar XKSS Roadster, formerly owned by Steve McQueen
* 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
* 1961 Ferrari 250 Short-Wheelbase Berlinetta, ‘SEFAC Hot Rod’
* 1948 Tucker Model 48 Torpedo
* 1954 Dodge Firearrow III Concept Coupé
* 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
* 1959 Chevrolet Corvette ‘Bill Mitchell’ Stingray Prototype

1961 Ferrari 250 Short-Wheelbase Berlinetta, ‘SEFAC Hot Rod’

Further information can be found at the museum’s website, www.high.org.

Text - Charis Whitcombe
Photos - Peter Harholdt/Atlanta’s High Museum of Art - Strictly Copyright