Streamlined

The Eugene Von Arx Special of California. Built in 1940 by Bungholers of Hollywood member Eugene Von Arx Jr., the Eugene Von Arx Special is a rare prewar custom roadster that fused dry lakes performance with high-end coachbuilding. Designed and hand-formed by Eugene's father, an alum of the Walter M. Murphy Company and Don Lee Coachworks, the body featured Art Deco styling, 1937 Chevrolet and 1937 Oldsmobile lighting, and a split Duvall windshield. The chassis was crafted by Frank Kurtis using twin 1939 Chevrolet frames, and the car was powered by a rare Riley OHV-equipped Ford flathead V8. It recorded a 114.4 MPH run at El Mirage in May 1942. In August 2025, this early piece of California hot rod history returned to the spotlight, offered at Mecum's Monterey Auction.

Streamlined design refers to smooth, flowing shapes inspired by aerodynamics, and it played a major role in both factory and custom car styling starting in the 1930s. Influenced by trains, planes, and the Art Deco movement, streamlined cars featured teardrop profiles, skirted fenders, slanted grilles, and minimal ornamentation to suggest speed and modernity, even at a standstill. Early customizers embraced the look by molding fenders, shaving trim, and adding fadeaway panels to enhance the car’s silhouette. The streamlined style became a hallmark of prewar customs and laid the groundwork for the clean, graceful lines that define traditional custom cars.