Dynamic Auto Parts

Most auto parts are about as prosaic as can be, but they are often made dynamic through the magic of roadside art. This gallery starts with a straightforward representation of a spark plug, picking up creative steam with the artist at International Auto Service, who wins for the bold use of color and shapes. The Illinois Starter artist went for simplification of the parts and highlighting technique. The puddle approach makes Akram Electric stand out while Rudy’s goes the more traditional cover-the-earth strategy.  Back to the  Automotive Art Gallery index

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Auto Parts Afloat

One of the most common techniques for promoting auto repair shops and parts stores is to have a large variety of images floating around the place. These three examples of folky auto parts run from the North Side to the Far South Side of Chicago . Back to the  Automotive Art Gallery index

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Used Car Neon Extravaganza

The neon extravaganza promoting the Car Town used-car lot on Western Avenue in Chicago was dismantled in 2020, having stood there, it’s believed, since the mid-1950s. The neon was complemented by some large-scale painted signs as well as a very nice Mid-Century Modern structure.  More on Car Town. Back to the  Automotive Art Gallery index

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Automotive Art All Over

Chicago is home to a many fine roadside representations of auto parts, but this kind of art is not exclusive to the Midwest. There is great automotive imagery all over, from Jacksonsville, Florida, to San Francisco. Here are some great examples. Back to the  Automotive Art Gallery index

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Tires!

Like mufflers, tires have a special place in the universe of automotive signage. Painted tire art can be found in many locations, and actual tires, like actual mufflers, can serve very effectively to advertise a service. Personally, I love the simple tire-on-a-stick, though there is still much to like in every artist’s painted rendition of this ubiquitous form. Back to the  Automotive Art Gallery index

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This face could be right out of a carnival game. Regency Auto Sales, Western Avenue at 75th Street

A Western Avenue Automotive Art Environment

Here’s a look back at a spectacular automotive art environment that once graced Chicago’s greatest decorated street. Regency Auto Sales was a blast of color and excitement as you headed down Western Avenue toward Chicago’s southern boundary. Each of the carnival-like signs scattered around the car lot was a strong work of art in itself. Together they formed an ensemble as exciting and expressive as any art environment should be. Just north of Regency was Tom’s Auto Mart. It was not nearly as elaborate as Regency, but its use of Disney characters to sell used cars was charming, a nice

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A Vintage Hardware Fantasia

You don’t have to be obsessed with nuts and bolts to appreciate the renderings in the 1920 Bethlehem Steel Co. Bolts, Nuts, Rivets catalog. They’re finely detailed and geometrically perfect, floating on their hand-drawn backgrounds. They don’t make catalogs like this any more.

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