Aerodynamics is a key component of a car's performance, as well as a key component of design, but you rarely hear people bragging about their car's drag coefficient. A new exhibit, Aerodynamics: From Art to Science at the Petersen Automotive Museum, aims to help change that.

The exhibit, open through May 27, 2013, attempts to highlight some of the landmarks of aerodynamic design from the early days of motoring to the present. "The timing for an exhibition of aerodynamic vehicles has never been better," said Petersen Curator Leslie Kendall. "Now that most automakers have turned their attention to perfecting the aerodynamic qualities of their cars, museum visitors will be fascinated to learn that the pursuit of sleeker, more efficient shapes actually began during the early 1900s. Not every visitor will find all of these early cars attractive, but they will certainly find them interesting."

More than a dozen vehicles will be featured in the exhibit to illustrate how the art of streamlining evolved into the science of aerodynamics - among them the 1940 BMW 328 Mille Miglia, a 1928 Martin Aerodynamic from the Lane Motor Museum, a 1938 Delahaye, a 1941 Tatra T-87, a 1979 Ford Probe design study, a 1937 Airomobile, a 1935 Chrysler Airflow and the 1992 Oldsmobile Aerotech.

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