If Leonardo da Vinci had lived through the 20th century, much of his design work would have certainly entailed automobiles. The car was, without a doubt, one of the most life-changing inventions of the new, modern society that came about during the era. And yet, throughout much of that century, dozens of artist labored in anonymity in Renaissance-style studio settings, creating drawings that transformed these machines into cultural works of art.

DaVinci’s Driveway, the first comprehensive book on the artistry of the American automobile stylist, assembles hundreds of the most beautiful design sketches and renderings of generations past. More than just a pretty picture book, it informs readers not only of the many cultural inspirations for those car designers’ work, but also provides a basis for understanding the many shapes that made up the automotive canvas.