THE DRIVING MACHINE

A design specialist looks under the hood of some of the most iconic and beautiful cars ever to hit the road.

Rybczynski, an architect by profession, has written many fascinating books about design, looking at buildings, furniture, and tools. The author is particularly interested in the intersection among functionality, aesthetics, and economics, so turning his attention to cars was a natural step. He has owned numerous cars through his life, and he uses their stories to frame the narrative. He also delves into early automotive history. It was a long road to a working vehicle, and there was a lengthy debate about the best power source. Gasoline eventually won and became the model for the following decades. In the postwar years in the U.S., the popularity of cars exploded, and they got bigger and more ornate. In an exhausted Europe, where taxes made gas expensive, the trend was toward small, cheaper cars, although later BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Fiat produced some design classics. Rybczynski has respect for Japanese cars, although the emphasis on efficiency has led to a global homogenization of automotive design. He devotes a section to high-end sports cars, which at their best can look like streamlined sculptures on wheels. In the past decade, minivans and large SUVs have taken over the roads, although the author cannot really bring himself to like them. He understands the reasons for greater safety and energy efficiency, but he laments that digital tech in cars has taken much of the enjoyment out of driving. “Cars are machines,” he writes, “but like buildings they are also cultural artifacts.” Throughout, the author presents a breezy, entertaining package that will be a fun read for a wide audience—not just car enthusiasts.

Rybczynski has some great stories to tell, and his love for his subject shines through on every page.