Designs for Automobiles | Collection Highlights | Collection of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Drawing, El Camino Concept, 1967
color pencil, marker on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-1

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

On white ground, a narrow, single-seated silver concept car, on four wheels, with futuristic pointed bumper reminiscent of a bullet, the wheels with protruding circular hubcaps, the cabin wrapped in yellow-toned glass, lines extending from the body of the car indicating speed and movement, the tires turned sharply to the right. Seated inside, the figure of a light-haired man wearing a green-glass eye-shield. At bottom, erased graphite elevation sketch of a similar missile-shaped automobile.

Drawing, Concept Car with Pointed Bullet Front, 1958
color pencil, graphite on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-2

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Drawing, Concept Car, 1932
brush and gouache, pen and ink, crayon, graphite on illustration board.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-3

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

On white ground, three-quarter frontal view of the hood and front windshield of an automobile, with exaggerated round fenders and tall, narrow metal grill.

Drawing, Concept Car, ca. 1935
graphite, crayon on illustration board.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-4

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

On cream ground, font view of a convertible with triangular jutting front bumper and grill, rounded hood elements and circular headlights.

Drawing, Packard Concept Car, ca. 1939
graphite, white color pencil on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-5

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Drawing, Concept Car, 1953
color pencil, graphite on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-6

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Against a sketchy yellow ground, the top half of the cabin of a red car with streamlined chrome detailing, the area below the door handle left unrealized. The tops of red leather seating in the front and back seat are visible.

Drawing, Roofline Concept, 1956
color pencil, brush and gouache on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-7

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

On black ground, a futuristic concept car, with deep red body and chrome accents, the front bumpers resembling rockets or bullets, resting on a six-footed stand comprised of perforated metal trestles. Inside the one-passenger vehicle sits a male figure wearing a suit and hat, enclosed inside a curving 180-degree-view windshield. In the background, a reticulated, openwork metallic sphere at right, and indications of columns or towers at left.

Drawing, Concept Car, 1955
color pencil, brush and gouache on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-8

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

On black ground, the interior cabin of a truck, the exterior realized in basic red lines; the interior featuring cream walls with red dashboard and red-trimmed windows, the shiny leather seat in striped cream and black, with a black steering wheel, clutch, and stick shift.

Drawing, Interior Concept, 1952
airbrush and ink, color pencil on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-9

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Drawing, Concept Car, 1950
brush and gouache on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-10

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Drawing, Concept Car, ca. 1941
brush and gouache on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-11

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

On white ground, an Oldsmobile concept car shown from three-quarter frontal perspective, lit from the lower right, casting a large, dark shadow along the left background. The automobile's cabin has tinted windows, and the front bumper and headlights characterized by horizontal metal grills; the wheels with bright, metallic hubcaps; the angular body realized in a rich, reflective black.

Drawing, Oldsmobile Concept, ca. 1974
marker, color pencil, airbrush and ink on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-12

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Drawing, Concept Car, ca. 1960
chalk on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-13

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

On black ground, a yellow concept car with elongated hood and curvilinear forms, with large, rounded fenders and chrome cross-hatch body design near the front wheel well. White rectangular framing line.

Drawing, Concept Car, ca. 1935
brush and gouache, pen and ink on illustration board.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-14

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Drawing, Buick Tiger Concept Car, 1954
brush and gouache, color pencil on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-15

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Drawing, Concept Car, 1954
airbrush and ink on illustration board.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-16

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Drawing, Interior Concept, ca. 1960
brush and acrylic on illustration board.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-17

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Drawing, Duesenberg Concept, 1963
pen and ink, brush and gouache on illustration board.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-18

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 3 images of this object.

Drawing, Pontiac GTO Concept, 1969
color pencil, marker, graphite on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-19

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Design for a red automobile with chrome accents shown in three-quarter frontal view. Curvilinear bulging body with round projecting headlights at the front above a rounded rectangular metal grill. Silver hubcaps at each of the tires, a chrome accent bordering each of the wheel wells. Behind the front left tire, decorative chrome element pointing towards the front of the car and continuing to the car's rear. Red dagmars extend beyond the rear tire, a large red fin with chrome underside above.

Drawing, Concept Car, ca. 1957
airbrush and ink on illustration board.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-20

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Design for a red automobile in spacecraft style shown in three-quarter frontal view. Streamlined automobile body is narrow and long, with a large pointed tail extending beyond the back tire. Front tire decorated with a conical silver hubcap resembling a bullet, the front headlights of the vehicle round and projecting outwards from the body. Windshield and windows made up of two pieces of curved glass, simulating the effect of a pilot in an airplane. At the wheel is a silhouette of a male figure; a standing male figure in gray suit and red tie is at right. Indications of blue sky in background.

Drawing, Concept Car, 1961
color pencil, graphite, brush and gouache on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-21

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Design for a red automobile with chrome accents shown in three-quarter frontal view. Wide body distinguished by curvilinear form, with flares above each wheel well. At front, two sets of curved rectilinear chrome grills. An additional grill in red just before the front right wheel. Boomerang-shaped chrome accent at car's lower body, the reflection of the vehicle shown below, the texture suggesting a wet rainy landscape.

Drawing, Barracuda Concept, 1964
mixed media on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-22

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Design for a burgundy automobile with chrome accents shown from above in three-quarter view. Body distinguished by an elongated curvilinear line, with round front and rear details. A raised chrome hood ornament at the front center of the car's hood, and a metallic grill behind, adjacent to the windshield. Below the hood ornament, a band of chrome above a stylized grill and projecting chrome bumper, an element that continues across the lower body of the car. Marks throughout indicate the shiny and reflective surface. Car interior upholstered in white leather with a red steering wheel.

Drawing, Concept Car, 1946
airbrush and ink on illustration board.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-23

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Drawing, Concept Car, ca. 1952
color pencil, brush and gouache on paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-24

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Drawing, Concept Cars, ca. 1968
brush and gouache on illustration board.
Museum purchase through gift of Paul Herzan and from General Acquisitions....
2017-18-25

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

This object has not been digitized yet.

Drawing, City System, 1966
pen and ink, graphite on white paper.
Gift of Alexandra and Paul Herzan.
2017-27-1

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

This object has not been digitized yet.

Drawing, City System, 1966
pen and ink, graphite on white paper.
Gift of Alexandra and Paul Herzan.
2017-27-2

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Horizontal rectangle. Design for George Lawson's city system transportation network. In upper half of composition, elevation view of a double-decker bus, with figures of drivers located at the upper levels of both the front and rear of the bus. The lower level of the bus contains five small parked automobiles. At the upper level, rows of chairs for seating. Some figures sit and stand, a group of figures at right sit at a special area that includes a counter, possibly with food or drink service from the server behind the bar. Below, front and rear elevation views of the bus as well as front and side elevation views of the small vehicles that can be accommodated on its lower level.

Drawing, City System, 1966
pen and ink, graphite on white paper.
Gift of Alexandra and Paul Herzan.
2017-27-3

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Drawing, City System, 1966
pen and ink, graphite on white paper.
Gift of Alexandra and Paul Herzan.
2017-27-5

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Horizontal rectangle. Design for George Lawson’s Hub City transportation system. At upper left, rear view of an automobile with figures of a passenger and driver. At lower right, side view of the front portion of an automobile, with line drawings showing the machinery in the car’s interior. A rectangular box mounted in front of the car’s windshield seems to either sense the rear of the car in front of it or cast a light on the vehicle. One hand on the steering wheel at right edge.

Drawing, City System, 1966
pen and ink, graphite on white paper.
Gift of Alexandra and Paul Herzan.
2017-27-6

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Side view, design for a Rolls Royce automobile in black and gray with whitewall tires. The body of the back of the car curves downward into a point, a shape that is repeated in the form of the body above the front wheels. Ground line indicated in graphite, blurred wash at upper right corner.

Drawing, Design for Rolls Royce Automobile, mid- 20th century
brush and black and gray wash, pen and black ink, graphite on illustration board.
Gift of John Bruce.
1993-65-2

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Vertical rectangle. Advertising design for a Lincoln automobile with driver and passenger. In the foreground, a picture of a Lincoln towncar with whitewalled tires above the word "Lincoln" in stylized letters. In the background, a landscape with a tree and church.

Drawing, Advertising Design, Lincoln Automobile, 1920s
black crayon, brush and black ink, graphite on off-white wove paper, ruled....
Gift of Donald Deskey.
1975-11-61

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Horizontal rectangle. Architectural drawing of Dymaxion car with plan and elevation views that highlight the chain drive details of the vehicle. Graphite inscription at lower right.

Drawing, Dymaxion Car with Chain Drive Details, 1933
graphite on tracing paper.
Museum purchase through gift of Mrs. John Innes Kane and from Sarah....
1993-79-2

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Horizontal rectangle. Four sketches of Dymaxion car with views of body framing, plan, and elevation. Stamped text at lower right. Notations throughout.

Drawing, Dymaxion Car (Car #C-2), Body Framing, Plan, and Elevation, 1933
pen and black ink on tracing paper.
Museum purchase from Sarah Cooper-Hewitt and Pauline Cooper Noyes Funds.
1993-79-1

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Drawing, Design for a Compact Car

Drawing, Design for a Compact Car
gray marker, brush and pink gouache, graphite on off-white heavy paper.
1988-101-1607

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.
There are 2 images of this object.

Horizontal rectangle. Design for a two-door compact automobile at center in 3/4 view, with ground indicated by lines in marker. At lower right, adhesive gray label with printed text.

Drawing, Design for a Compact Car, 1963–64
gray marker, brush and pink gouache on off-white heavy paper.
Gift of Donald Deskey.
1988-101-1610

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.