Streamlined Vision - Progress in design often emerges where imagination crosses boundaries. The 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C RLSS with custom bodywork by Joachim Küsters is a striking example of this, born not in the traditional European hubs of coachbuilding but in Salvador, Brazil, during a period when modernity was being explored with bold creativity. More than a sporting car of its era, it embodies the vision of a designer who saw vehicles as canvases for innovation.
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| Joachim Küsters’ beautiful Alfa Romeo 6C RLSS was once featured in a report in O Cruzeiro magazine in May 1933. (Picture from: LexiCarBrasil and refurbished by Visual Paradigm Online) |
Joachim Küsters,
a German émigré who arrived in Brazil in the late 1920s,
is primarily celebrated as one of the country’s most influential boat designers. His work on speedboats, and later
the iconic CarbrasMar projects, earned him legendary status on water, yet his curiosity extended beyond hulls and propellers.
In 1932,
while designing his first boat,
Miss Brasil,
Küsters also applied his talents to
an Alfa Romeo 6C RLSS chassis, creating a custom body that reflected his forward-thinking aesthetic. This unique collaboration of German engineering and Brazilian creativity resulted in a car that could rival the finest European designs of the time.
The car’s exterior is immediately arresting.
Its flowing fenders,
sharply angled V-shaped windshield,
and gracefully descending side window lines convey motion even when standing still.
The aerodynamic hood,
integrated mudguards,
and carefully proportioned wheels demonstrate an advanced understanding of form and airflow.
Most notably,
the spare tire is mounted vertically and longitudinally at the rear, an unusual placement that echoes the streamlined, nautical lines reminiscent of a speedboat—a clear imprint of
Küsters’ maritime sensibility.
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| The Alfa Romeo 6C RLSS, built by Joachim Küsters in the 1930s in Salvador de Bahia, featured magnificent aerodynamics; its creator appears on the left. (Picture from: LexiCarBrasil and refurbished by Visual Paradigm Online) |
Inside,
the cabin maintains this philosophy of purposeful elegance. Instead of ornamental excess,
controls are logically arranged for the driver,
while the windshield and seating geometry emphasize clarity,
speed, and precision. The restrained interior complements the exterior’s daring lines, reinforcing
Küsters’ principle that beauty and function should coexist seamlessly.
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| Joachim Küsters came up with a novel solution for positioning the spare tire, as seen on the Alfa Romeo 6C RLSS. (Picture from: LexiCarBrasil and refurbished by Visual Paradigm Online) |
Soon after completing this automotive experiment,
Küsters relocated to Rio de Janeiro and dedicated himself entirely to boat design, leaving
the Alfa Romeo as a fascinating outlier in his career.
Today,
the 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C RLSS with Küsters’ custom bodywork stands as a reminder of a moment when innovation was intuitive, global influences converged unexpectedly, and a designer’s imagination could flow freely across mediums. It remains a symbol of creativity, daring, and timeless elegance, still captivating modern audiences decades later.
*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LANCHASAVENDA | LEXICARBRASIL | ROLLING ART IN FACEBOOK | CAR MUSEUM IN FACEBOOK | ICON ROAD IN FACEBOOK | CARSEX MAGAZINE IN TUMBLR ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
