In the earliest days of automobiles, aerodynamics was hardly a concern. Engineers focused on fundamental issues such as ensuring that cars could start, move, and stop reliably. However, as racing and speed records gained importance, managing airflow around a vehicle became a consideration.
This interest grew significantly after the First World War, when advances in aviation highlighted the benefits of aerodynamic efficiency. Gradually, road car manufacturers began to explore how streamlined designs could improve performance.
Today, aerodynamics is a crucial aspect of automotive design, influencing everything from speed and handling to fuel efficiency and emissions. With a deep understanding of airflow mechanics, modern engineers shape vehicles to reduce drag and enhance overall efficiency.
But how did this evolution take place? To explore that, we’ll examine 10 aerodynamic production cars from the 20th century that helped shape the industry’s approach to aerodynamics.
1. Rumpler Tropfenwagen
It is often assumed that aerodynamic production cars didn’t emerge until the 1930s, with earlier attempts limited to prototypes like the Alfa 40/60hp Aerodinamica or Paul Jaray’s visionary designs from the 1920s.
While this is partly true, it overlooks the Rumpler Tropfenwagen, a groundbreaking vehicle that entered limited production in 1921.
What set the Tropfenwagen apart was its revolutionary design, featuring a body made almost entirely of curved surfaces, including its windows—an incredible feat for the time.
These smooth contours allowed air to flow around the vehicle efficiently rather than colliding with flat surfaces. While curved designs became more common in later decades, no other manufacturer has ever embraced them in quite the same way as Rumpler did with the Tropfenwagen.
2. Chrysler Airflow
Many believe that the first streamlined production cars debuted in 1934, often overlooking the earlier Rumpler Tropfenwagen.
Among the notable contenders from this year was the Chrysler Airflow, which, while retaining some conventional styling elements, introduced a more curved design and a swooping nose rather than the traditional vertical front.
However, the Airflow struggled in the market as American buyers were not yet ready for such a radical look. Chrysler quickly retreated from this bold design approach and wouldn’t revisit it until after World War II.
A similar but less-equipped version, the De Soto Airflow, faced a similar fate and was discontinued in 1936, a year before Chrysler ceased production of its own Airflow model.
3. Crossley Streamline
Streamline Cars was established to produce an innovative rear-engined vehicle designed by Sir Dennistoun Burney, who was already renowned for his airship designs.
His creation featured an exceptionally aerodynamic shape, with a tilted snub nose and a sweeping roofline. Though these cars were never intended for mass production, they attracted attention, with the then Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) purchasing one in 1930.
The design patent was later sold to Crossley Motors, which modified the vehicle to include a more conventional front end with a vertical radiator and large headlights while maintaining its streamlined profile.
This revised model, officially named the Crossley Streamline but sometimes referred to as the Crossley-Burney, debuted at the 1934 Olympia Show. Despite its advanced design, it saw only limited production and found just a handful of buyers.
4. Tatra 77
Designed in part by the visionary Paul Jaray, the Tatra 77 was another groundbreaking aerodynamic car introduced in 1934. Featuring a curvy nose and a streamlined profile similar to the Crossley Streamline, it also shared a rear-mounted engine layout.
The 77 quickly evolved into the improved 77a, followed by the similarly sleek Tatra 78. This design philosophy remained central to Tatra’s vehicles, influencing models well into the 1970s.
5. Lincoln Zephyr
Introduced in late 1935, the Lincoln Zephyr might have seemed revolutionary if not for the groundbreaking cars of the previous year. Lightweight and powered by a robust 4.4-liter V12 engine, it stood out not only for its performance but also for its impressive aerodynamics.
Featuring integrated headlights and a smoothly rounded design, the Zephyr exemplified a refined approach to streamlining, making it a significant step forward in automotive styling.
6. Peugeot 402
Introduced in 1935, the Peugeot 402 featured a unique design element that set it apart from other cars of its time. Its headlights were mounted behind the radiator grille, minimizing aerodynamic disruption—an innovation that few manufacturers dared to replicate. This distinctive feature gave the 402 a look unlike any other vehicle of the era.
In addition to its concealed headlights, the 402 also had enclosed rear wheels, a less uncommon but still rare design choice for production cars. These aerodynamic features were later incorporated into the short-lived Peugeot 302 and the smaller 202, the latter remaining in production until the late 1940s.
7. Cisitalia 202
The Cisitalia 202GT, a small sports car built with mostly Fiat components, including a 1.1-liter engine, had a limited production run of around 170 units and came in various body styles.
What set it apart was its exceptionally smooth, curvaceous design, with almost no straight lines to disrupt airflow—an unusual feature for a mid-1940s car. Its groundbreaking aesthetics earned it a place in the New York Museum of Modern Art in 1972, where it remains on display today.
8. Jowett Javelin
The Jowett Javelin, which entered full-scale production in 1947, stood out for its exceptional handling, largely due to its flat-four engine that kept the center of gravity low.
While this engineering advantage wasn’t immediately apparent to onlookers, what did catch attention was the car’s impressive aerodynamics—an uncommon trait for British vehicles of that era.
Although the front end featured a traditional tall bonnet, a large radiator grille, and substantial wings, the rest of the body was a flowing combination of curves. This streamlined design allowed the Javelin to cut through the air more efficiently than many of its saloon car rivals, making it a standout in both performance and aesthetics.
9. Bristol 401
When the Bristol Aeroplane Company expanded into car manufacturing in the late 1940s, it naturally applied its expertise in aerodynamics to its new venture.
The company’s first model, the 1947 Bristol 400, featured a streamlined design, but this approach was taken even further with the 1948 Bristol 401, which had an almost entirely curved body with hardly a straight line in sight.
Bristol’s commitment to aerodynamics extended beyond just the overall shape. In a remarkable attention to detail, the company eliminated traditional door handles, replacing them with flush-fitting push buttons to minimize air resistance.
This meticulous design philosophy set Bristol cars apart, blending aviation-inspired efficiency with luxury automobile craftsmanship.
10. Jaguar XK120
The Jaguar XK120 stunned audiences at the 1948 London Motor Show with its sleek, curvaceous design, a dramatic departure from previous Jaguars. Its aerodynamic efficiency was further improved by rear-wheel covers, though these were not fitted to all models.
While the convertible body posed some aerodynamic challenges, Jaguar addressed this with the introduction of a fixed-head coupé in 1951. The later XK140 and XK150 retained a similar streamlined shape, though without the enclosed rear wheels.
Throughout the 20th century, aerodynamics evolved from an afterthought into a fundamental aspect of automotive design. The cars highlighted here represent key milestones in that journey, each contributing to the industry’s growing understanding of how airflow affects performance, efficiency, and aesthetics.
From the groundbreaking Rumpler Tropfenwagen of the 1920s to the sleek Jaguar XK120 of the late 1940s, these vehicles demonstrated innovative approaches to streamlining that would influence future generations of cars.
Today, aerodynamics is more critical than ever, shaping everything from high-performance sports cars to fuel-efficient electric vehicles.
The pioneering efforts of these early production models laid the foundation for modern automotive engineering, proving that design and function can work together to create vehicles that are not only faster and more efficient but also visually striking.
As the industry continues to push boundaries with new materials and technologies, the lessons learned from these trailblazers remain just as relevant, ensuring that aerodynamics will always be at the forefront of automotive innovation.
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