We take it for concede today that machine are intended to be streamlined , streamlined and sleek . But that was n’t always the case — opine of box-shaped Model T car , for example . More like buggies or trucks , they were downright clunky . But the tardy 1920s and early 1930s ushered in a new era of auto pattern , and we have the advent of breaking wind burrow testing to give thanks for these betterment . In the video above , CarStuffhosts Scott Benjamin and Ben Bowlin take a tour of classical construct cars at Atlanta’sHigh Museum of Art , and explain howwind tunneltesting has streamlined car design for decennary .
The melodic theme of aeromechanics start to gain popularity among automotive designers in the early 20th 100 , as speed became an crucial factor . The construct had already been applied to former aircraft design with weighing machine - modelwind tunnel testingto step drag coefficient . It was also an mind the Wright brothers — Orville and Wilbur — explored when developingthe Wright Flyer , a design that excellently took off in 1903 .
By the late 1920s , automobile designer realized winding burrow testing could help determine how to alter automobile bodies , too . The next few decades introduced examples of wind burrow - test " dream car , " orconcept car , designs , include the1943 Edsel Ford 40 Special Speedster . This invention was a radical departure from the boxlike motorcar bodies of the fourth dimension . The Special Speedster dream gondola introduce sleek lines and was carry of air current burrow testing that identify the most effective telephone line possible .
The1941 Chrysler Thunderboltwas blow as " The Car of the Future , " built to educate the world about aerodynamics and streamlining . It was tested in a twist tunnel , and engineers used the data in scientific studies to prove how the car ’s shape do under continuous airflow .
hail as " shaped by the wind , " the1955 Chrysler Streamline X — nicknamed " Gilda " — debuted in 1955 and induce a genius with its experimental soundbox remindful of a postwar rocket ship . The Streamline X ’s blueprint , although futurist at the time , was probably far more hardheaded than two railway car that hit the road in 1970 . TheLancia Stratos HF ZeroandFerrari 512S Modulowere the solution of an ongoing conflict by car manufacturers to design the ultimate wedge - forge motorcar . And , while these cars cut through the breaking wind with ease , the uttermost wedge physical body made for poor visibleness and terrible ground headway .
Although these standout aerodynamic cars were each dissimilar , they all tried to overreach the wind . And they diddle an significant role in streamlined pattern , demonstrating that to really fine - air a car that abridge through melodic line , current of air tunnel examination is the way to go .
