Metaphors in Motion

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Part Two of a three part series to explore the automotive illustrations of the recent past. In this article I will present and explore technical drawings, and Part Three will look at design which have a decidedly different style.

Combing my limited collection of 50's and 60's car Sportscar Graphic, Sportscar Illustrated, and Car Craft the illustrations are plentiful. These amazing images of the cars, race cars, and the customs the portray allow the viewer information not available through a simple photograph. The men who signed their drawings remain relatively obscure and unknown today as there is little or no information to be found on these folks. Many of the drawings especially the purely technical ones are unsigned and most likely are from the manufacturer themselves and used for production purposes.

Considering there were no computers at the time to produce such drawings one must admit they are amazing works of art in and of them selves. These technical drawings represent engines and engine parts mainly although there are illustrations of suspension assemblies, frame rail, and other technical goodies that helped illustrate the articles they accompanied. The creativity and technical ability of these illustrations is unmatched and they have an entirely different feel than the computer generated drawings of today. Todays contemporary drawings are equally as beautiful but for different reasons in my opinion.

I will simply show the illustrations credit the artist if known and the magazine and not spend time on the story of the vehicle or part shown but rather let the illustrations speak for themselves.

Ford Formula One engine by Theo Page Sportscar Graphic July 1967

1.5 liter Formula One engine by James A Allington Sportscar Graphic April 1965

Jaguar Six Cylinder engine by unknown Sportscar Illustrated November 1956

Matra M530 by Robert Roux Sportscar Graphic July 1967

Mercedes 230 Head by unknown Sportscar Graphic May 1963

Mercedes 300SL engine by unknowm Sportscar Illustrated December 1957

MG-A Twin Cam by Theo Page Sportscar Graphic August 1959

Mini Cooper S engine by Theo Page Sportscar Graphic July 1963

Morgan TR3 suspension by unknown Sportscar Illustrated November 1956

Packard 39 Roadster engine by unknown Sportscar Illustrated November 1956

Porsche Six Cylinder engine by unknown Sportscar Graphic July 1965

Rover 2000 frame by unknown Sportscar Graphic December 1963

Rover 2000 drive train by unknown Sportscar Graphic December 1963

Pontiac Tempest chassis by C.O. LaTourette Sportscar Illustrated October 1960

Pontiac Tempest engine by C.O. LaTourette Sportscar Illustrated October 1960

Mercedes Benz 230 SE by unknown Sportscar Graphic October 1965

Mercedes Benz 230 SE engine by unknown Sportscar Graphic October 1965

I hope you enjoyed the illustrations appreciate the skill and care that went into creating them.