Beginning this week, L.A.'s Christopher W. Mount Gallery presents When the Future Had Fins: American Automotive Designs and Concepts, 1959-1973. The show features nearly 40 automotive hand drawings from the "Big Three"—Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler—made during the 1960s and '70s (a time when hand drawing was elemental to the design process, from presentation drawings to studies for a new version of a Cadillac to far-flung, futuristic concepts). When the Future Had Fins reminds us, as Mount notes, "of the beauty of the era’s hand-done architectural and design processes, prior to the arrival of the computer."

Roofline study, c. 1955 by Pete Wozena

Design for Cadillac, 1966 by John Perkins

Design for Chevrolet, 1965 by Robert Ackerman

Design for a Plymouth Barracuda, 1964 by John Samen

American Concept Car, 1959 by Ken Vendley, available through our 

When the Future Had Fins is on view from January 23rd through May 20th at Christopher W. Mount Gallery in L.A. There is a public opening event on Friday, January 23, 2015 from 5:30–9:30pm.

Christopher W. Mount Gallery is located at: Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., Suite B267, West Hollywood, CA 90069. For additional info, please visit christopherwmountgallery.com

*All images courtesy of Christopher W. Mount Gallery