The Americans: Beautiful Machines is a large-format hardback book about the most iconic automobiles in United States history and the cultural eras they helped define.

It’s edited by gestalten and Blake Z. Rong, bringing together curatorial insight and historic context.

The book traces how American car culture evolved from early mass production through post-war optimism, the muscle car era and beyond, showing how cars became symbols of freedom, identity and innovation.

Featured cars include the Ford Mustang, Gran Torino and Corvette, alongside other classic models that helped shape the American automotive zeitgeist.

Content also touches on stylistic moments such as the art deco elegance of the Cord, the surf and muscle era, and the rise of performance culture across decades.

Photography and visual spreads are presented in full colour throughout, supporting the narrative with detailed imagery of vehicles, design elements and cultural settings.

The book runs to 320 pages and is published as a stitch-bound hardcover designed for visual reference and display.

Its full colour format is presented at approximately 30 × 27 cm, giving images and design spreads plenty of room to be appreciated.

Released in August 2024, it sits within Gestalten’s Beautiful Machines series and is suited to readers interested in cars, industrial design and the broader cultural impact of automotive history.

SHIPPING OPTIONS

Standard - Royal Mail Tracked 48 (2-3 business days): £2.95

DPD Next Business Day (Cut off: 2pm Mon-Fri): £5.95

DPD Next Business Day by 12 Midday (Cut off: 2pm Mon-Fri): £12.95

DPD Saturday Delivery (Cut-off: Fri 2pm): £9.95

DPD Saturday Delivery by 12 Midday (Cut off: Fri 2pm): £12.95

DPD Sunday Delivery (Cut-off: Fri 2pm): £9.95

18+ PRODUCTS

18+ Standard - Royal Mail Tracked 48 + Age Verified (2-3 business days): £4.95

18+ Express - Royal Mail Tracked 24 + Age Verified (Usually next business day but not guaranteed, cut-off 2pm Mon-Fri): £7.95

FREE SHIPPING

FREE Royal Mail Tracked 48 (2-3 Business Days): Orders £90+

FREE Premium DPD Next Business Day (Cut off: 2pm Mon-Fri): Orders £250+

*All time-specific deliveries are usually delivered within advertised timeframes, but carriers do not 100% guarantee

N.B. For 18+ orders that include bladed products or alcohol, a £2 surcharge is added to normal shipping costs, to cover the legally required Age Verification service (as detailed above). All such orders will be shipped via Royal Mail.

For some rural postcodes next day delivery is not possible. For more detail on these postcodes, please see our Shipping page. There is no system check for these postcodes, so please do not select these services if your delivery address falls within this list.

RETURNS

We offer 100-day returns, provided items are returned in a perfectly re-sellable condition (undamaged and in original condition with tags/packaging). For more detailed information on conditions of return and the process involved, please see our Returns policy page.