By this period, front bumpers were designed not just for protection but also to conceal under-engine and axle components, contributing to a cleaner aesthetic. Front wings became lower and more rounded, reflecting the gradual shift toward streamlined shapes. Running boards—once a staple of early automotive design—began to disappear, signaling a move towards more compact and integrated bodywork. Manufacturers and nations increasingly used individualized styling to distinguish their vehicles, with unique design cues becoming a defining feature across different brands and regions.
**1932**, the introduction of pressed steel bodywork encouraged the use of smoother, rounded edges, moving away from the angular forms of earlier designs.
**1933**, automobile manufacturers began actively studying aerodynamics, seeking more efficient and refined body shapes. The pressed steel construction enabled the use of oversweep curves, leading to increasingly flowing silhouettes. **1934**, the industry embraced streamlining, sometimes in an exaggerated fashion, with larger wing valances contributing to a more sculpted appearance.
**1935**, as the square and elliptical design eras faded, bonnets grew longer and higher, while front and rear overhangs increased, giving cars a more stretched appearance. The introduction of pressed steel wheels resulted in a cleaner, more uniform look, and spare wheels were often mounted upright in the front wings for better accessibility. However, it wasn’t until
**1936** that the traditional, exposed radiator began to disappear beneath a cowling or shell, occasionally creating a thrust-forward effect in styling.
**1937**, larger bumpers became common, enhancing both protection and presence, while some manufacturers incorporated horizontal grille slats that extended along the shallower bonnet sides, further refining aerodynamics and design continuity
**1938**, automobile designs became noticeably more rounded, with higher-positioned wing lines, some of which seamlessly merged into the bodywork. Grilles and shells rapidly replaced traditional external radiators, contributing to a sleeker front-end appearance. The principles of streamlining were now better understood, leading to the widespread adoption of rounded contours, convex curves, and faired wings, shaping the next generation of automotive styling.