Whether the Cadillac fins of the 1950s, the Muscle Cars of the 1970s or the Sport Utility Vehicles that marked the beginning of the 21st cerrtury; American car design is primarily known for its excesses. However, from a broader perspective, a different picture emerges. America was the first to recognize the creative and strategic potential of design and to create a system of brands, models and versions that set global standards. In this second volume of his series on the global automotive history, Paolo Tumminelli tells the story of American car design as cultural history- -from the Streamliner experiments of the 1930s up to the recent resurgence of the American automobile industry-drawing intriguing parallels with the social developments of the time. With over 400 original images from the manufacturers"archives, Car Design America is an indispensable reference work for every car enthusiast."