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Italy meets America — A transatlantic romance with Jet Age style

Like long-distance lovers sending heartfelt letters back and forth, automotive designers from post-War Italy and America began an impassioned exchange to prove their love for Jet Age design. A new automotive exhibit in California has opened to explore this transatlantic romance…

Only style remains

Based on the book of the same name, the Transatlantic Style: A Romance of Fins and Chrome exhibit explores the love of automotive design by two countries, America and Italy, and how their common passion created some of the most beautiful cars ever made and, ultimately, changed modern automotive design forever. Curated by classic car historian and author Donald Osborne, and supported by Blackhawk Automotive Museum President Don Williams, the exhibit will showcase 20 Jet Age cars — from Harley Earl’s Buick Y-Job and Le Sabre for General Motors to Giovanni Savonuzzi’s Cisitalia 202 MM Aerodynamica Coupé for Stabilimenti Farina — providing an opportunity to see first-hand the impact their designs had on not only one another but the entire automotive world.

Photos: Blackhawk Automotive Museum

The Transatlantic Style: A Romance of Fins and Chrome exhibit is currently on display until 30 September. For information, including ticket purchases, visit Blackhawk Museum’s website