Designed To Be Seen

25/01/2026

The elegant 1937 Delage D8-120 Aérosport was developed under the direction of engineer Maurice Gaultier and became one of the first exclusive models introduced after Delage shifted its focus in the late 1920s from racing cars to the production of luxury automobiles.

The spectacularly streamlined coachwork, created by the renowned coachbuilder Letourneur et Marchand, drew inspiration from the pioneering aerodynamic research of Jean Andreau. The result was one of the most advanced and harmonious automotive forms of its era.

So highly regarded was the design that an identical example was selected to represent France at the 1939 New York World’s Fair — a clear recognition of the model’s technical and aesthetic significance.

The chassis was manufactured by Delage in Courbevoie, just outside Paris, while the elegant Aérosport coachwork was handcrafted by Letourneur et Marchand in Neuilly-sur-Seine.

Specifications:
Engine: 4.5-liter inline eight
Power output: 115 horsepower
Top speed: approximately 153 km/h (95 mph)
Production: only 14 examples built

13/01/2026

Before limits. Before compromises.

1955 LaSalle II Sedan
The LaSalle II was developed as part of General Motors’ efforts to explore future more compact and cost-efficient premium cars. When the car was presented in 1955, the LaSalle name had long been dormant, but it was revived here to signal a positioning between Cadillac and the other GM brands.

The LaSalle II was built in several configurations and served as a technical and design experiment. Despite its relatively compact exterior dimensions, the car offered generous interior space thanks to efficient use of the chassis and body. The construction was lighter than contemporary Cadillac models and was developed with an emphasis on modern manufacturing methods, reduced weight, and improved fuel economy.

The design was clean and contemporary, with restrained lines that clearly distinguished it from Cadillac’s more elaborate styling. Beneath the surface were advanced solutions that would later influence GM’s production vehicles. Despite positive attention, the LaSalle II never entered production, but it played an important role in General Motors’ continued development work during the 1950s. The car is owned by General Motors and is part of the GM Heritage Collection, and is on loan to the Petersen Automotive Museum. Only one example of the 1955 LaSalle II Sedan exists, as it was a concept vehicle/prototype and not a production model. It was built as an experiment within General Motors’ development program and was never put into series production.

Technical Specifications

Engine: 3.1-liter V6
Power output: 115 hp
Owner: General Motors (GM Heritage Collection)
Number built: 1

Source: Petersen Automotive Museum, LA
Photo: Hans Forsling, 2024

13/01/2026

Before limits. Before compromises.

1955 LaSalle II Sedan
The LaSalle II was developed as part of General Motors’ efforts to explore future more compact and cost-efficient premium cars. When the car was presented in 1955, the LaSalle name had long been dormant, but it was revived here to signal a positioning between Cadillac and the other GM brands.

The LaSalle II was built in several configurations and served as a technical and design experiment. Despite its relatively compact exterior dimensions, the car offered generous interior space thanks to efficient use of the chassis and body. The construction was lighter than contemporary Cadillac models and was developed with an emphasis on modern manufacturing methods, reduced weight, and improved fuel economy.

The design was clean and contemporary, with restrained lines that clearly distinguished it from Cadillac’s more elaborate styling. Beneath the surface were advanced solutions that would later influence GM’s production vehicles. Despite positive attention, the LaSalle II never entered production, but it played an important role in General Motors’ continued development work during the 1950s. The car is owned by General Motors and is part of the GM Heritage Collection, and is on loan to the Petersen Automotive Museum. Only one example of the 1955 LaSalle II Sedan exists, as it was a concept vehicle/prototype and not a production model. It was built as an experiment within General Motors’ development program and was never put into series production.

Technical Specifications

Engine: 3.1-liter V6
Power output: 115 hp
Owner: General Motors (GM Heritage Collection)
Number built: 1

Source: Petersen Automotive Museum, LA
Photo: Hans Forsling, 2024

01/01/2026

01/01/2026

Här är en av många bilar från denna samlares privata samlarmuseum. En av dem är denna Graham ”Sharknose” (Supercharger).

Sharknose-Graham förekom i amerikanska serietidningar, särskilt i berättelser kopplade till gangster- och storstadsmiljöer.

Graham var extremt tidiga med kompressormatade motorer – långt före de flesta andra tillverkare.

Bröderna Graham grundade företaget 1927 och det köptes senare upp av Dodge-bröderna. År 1941 upphörde produktionen eftersom den inte längre var lönsam. Designen var för futuristisk – publiken var helt enkelt inte redo.

Ägare: M. Isaksson
Foto: H. Forsling

01/01/2026

27/12/2025

Rat Rods, Santa Monica Beach, LA

Foto: Hans Forsling, 2024

27/12/2025

Clark Gable beställde denna Cadillac Series 62 Coupé Custom från 1941 hos Hillcrest Cadillac i Los Angeles och skickade den därefter till Don Lee, den inflytelserika Cadillac-distributören där GM:s chefsdesigner Harley Earl tidigare hade varit verksam. Där byggdes bilen om på sätt som senare kom att inspirera efterkrigstidens custombyggare.

Taket sänktes (choppades), de bakre sidorutorna fylldes igen (blanked), delar av den kromade sidolisten togs bort (shaved), vindrutan lutades bakåt (raked) och ett vadderat tak monterades. Gable gav senare bilen i gåva till skådespelerskan Carole Lombard, som han gifte sig med 1939.

Källa: Petersen Automotive Museum
Foto: Hans Forsling, 2024