From Passion to Perfection The Story of French Streamlined Styling 1930-1939

From Passion to Perfection: the Story of French Streamlined Styling - 1930–1939 is a true labour of love by Richard Adatto. An introduction to the world of French streamlined styling in the 1930s, it chronicles its evolution from the first concept of the Tear Drop to its final moment at the New York World Fair in 1939. The flowing lines were created by great artists and each is a celebration of French design at its peak. Newly discovered letters, photographs and documents, some sourced direct from the Paulin, Figoni and Pourtout families, help to enrich this book, which covers these fine icons. With chapters detailing and illustrating: Figoni & Falaschi Delahaye 135,135m, 165 V12 Tear Drop Talbot Lago T150 CSS Chassis, T23, T150C, Carrosserie Pourtout, Georges Paulin Designer and Stylist, with such famous works as the Embiricos Bentley as well as designs on the Delage D8-120 and Talbot-Lago T150-C-SS Emile Darl’mat and the Peugeot 402, 302 Jean Andreau Engineer in Aerodynamics on the Peugeot 402, Delage V12 Labourdette and Dubonnet Hispano Xenia Joseph Saoutchik - Coachbuilder Letourneur & Marchand - Coachbuilder De Villars - Coachwork ‘Aerosport’ on the Delage D8-120 chassis Bugatti Type 57s Atlantic Gabriel Voisin and Philippe Jean Ladure Avion Voisin Aerosport and Aerodyne These works of art continue to influence automobile manufacturers today in the creation of retro-styled cars, and the popularity of today's models is a testimony to the beauty of streamlined designs dreamed up so long ago.