Portland may not be the most automobile related of cities, but the upcoming The Shape of Speed: Streamlined Automobiles and Motorcycles, 1930–1942 exhibition will showcase an important chapter in its automotive history.

Automotive designers started to build truly streamlined cars in early 1930s. The concept of streamlining was influenced by aircraft, railway and ship designs, and was extended to railroad locomotives, appliances, and daily household items. In automobile styling, the shape of cars were more organic, with the classic teardrop shape thought to be best in aerodynamics, creating faster and more fuel efficient vehicles than the previous generation.

The exhibition is curated by Ken Gross, former director of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, and the 18 defining exhibits include the Bugatti Aerolithe, Talbot-Lago T150C SS, Stout Scarab bus, Chrysler Thunderbolt concept and a Henderson KJ motorcycle. The Shape of Speed will take place from 16 June to 16 September at the Portland Art Museum.