The High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia is presenting a new automotive exhibit: Dream Cars – Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas, it opens today and runs through to September 7, 2014. The museum with the help of writer and automotive expert Ken Gross has put together an impressive sampling of some of the most imaginative dream and concept cars of their time, which date from 1932 and extend all the way to the present day.

The exhibition explores some of the outstanding and innovative designs that lead to changes and progress in the design and development of the automobile. The exhibit focuses on the dream car and its creation over time through the individual makers by covering: the impact of styling, visionary designers, the design process, and the influence of automobile design salons.

As an example, the red and silver 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt seen above was rushed through its construction to be ready in time for its unveiling at the October 1940 New York Auto Show. There the automaker billed the Thunderbolt as The Car of the Future. It was designed and built to demonstrate to the public the type of aerodynamics and streamlining likely to be seen from the manufacturer in the future.

The three-wheeled L’Œuf électrique (“electric egg”) above was created by French artist, industrial designer, and forward-thinking engineer Paul Arzens in 1942. It was built in German occupied Paris using the materials available at the time. Due to the wartime gasoline shortages Arzens turned to electric power for its propulsion. It is thought to be the world’s first Bubble Car which may have influenced later post-war French mini-cars.

Six other important dream and concept cars of the seventeen examples in the expo can be seen here starting above L to R: the 1948 Tasco designed by Gordon M. Buehrig; the Norman Timbs Special; and the 1955 Chrysler (Ghia) Streamline X Gilda.

Below L to R: the 1934 Voisin C-25 Aérodyne; the 1956 Buick Centurion XP-301; and the 1951 General Motors Le Sabre XP-8. Full details of all of the Dream Cars, and information on the exposition can be found at the High Museum of Art.