Ken Steacy: Brightwork: Classic American car ornamentation

Chronicle Books $49.95

Review: Gilbert Wong

Looks, convenience and speed were the qualities General Motors aimed to embody in its vehicles.

In America, car as design statement became glitzier and more fantastical than in any other nation.

Steacy, an illustrator, has a basement full of chrome culled from the carcasses of American cars of the 40s, 50s and 60s.

The Nash, DeSoto and Hupmobile live on in this photographic collection of hood and horn ornaments.