Each decade produces cars that truly stand apart from the rest. Every ten years, numerous vehicles encapsulate their era, whether it’s due to performance, sleek design, or pop culture appeal. And the 1950s are no exception. In fact, this era was known for having some of the best cars to ever hit the market, with looks that even hold up against cars in the 21st century.

From popular brands ranging from Ford to Chevy to Porsche, let’s take a trip down memory lane and review the top cars of the “Golden Age of Capitalism.”

1955 Chevy Bel Air

The 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air is considered a classic car by today’s standards. As the second generation of Bel Airs, this Chevrolet had a few features different from those of the previous model years, such as two-speed electric windshield wipers. The ’55 Bel Air also had an optional V-shaped chrome grille, which wouldn’t become standard until 1959, along with many other minor changes from the first-generation models.

Some quick hit fun facts for the 1955 Chevy Bel Air include:

• The 1955 Bel Air was initially introduced as a “faster, sleeker, and more modern” model over previous ones.
• It featured an all-new design that would eventually become Chevy’s hallmark in years to come, leading to it becoming one of the most popular vehicles of the 50s in future years.
• The car weighed about 3,150 lbs. (base model) and featured a new wraparound windshield.

1952 Cadillac Eldorado

While it certainly wasn’t considered to be the sexiest car on the market at the time, the Cadillac Eldorado was unequivocally a classic American car. Designed with the intention of not being a luxury car but rather utilitarian, the Eldorado still ended up being one of Cadillac’s top-of-the-line vehicles. This also happens to be one of the longest-lasting vehicles on this list, as production of the line only ended in 2002, which is unusual for car manufacturers.

Beyond the above, one of the most notable standout features of the Eldorado was its size. Companies such as Lincoln, Dodge, BMW, and various European brands were all focusing on attempting to shrink their vehicles, but Cadillac decided to go in the opposite direction. At 220.8 inches long and 80.1 inches wide, the Eldorado was a monster on the road, especially in the early 1950s. As far as sedans go, the performance of the Cadillac Eldorado was nothing special, but it was more reliable than its counterparts in brands such as Jaguar, Jeep, Volkswagen, and more.

• The Cadillac Eldorado was the first American car to feature quad lamps
• The Cadillac Eldorado was, at one time, the most expensive and coveted vehicle on the market
• It was the only American convertible for eight years before primarily switching to a hardtop model

1957 Ford Thunderbird

The ’50s was a time of great innovation for the automotive industry, and the 1957 Ford Thunderbird is truly an example of this. Ford greatly improved its design over its predecessor, and it cost only about $200 more than other cars on the market at that time. As a result, it quickly became one of the most popular cars of the decade. Believe it or not, the Ford Thunderbird was only commissioned in response to the news that the Chevy Corvette would be coming out, and it was Ford’s attempt at surpassing all other new cars and concept car options available.

Ford upgraded the engine to a 312 cubic inch Y-block V-type that could produce around 250 horsepower, giving it enough power to hit 60 mph in under 11 seconds! In addition, it featured styling that was very different from other cars with its sharp angles and tailfins, which would later become standard for years after the first model year of the Thunderbird.

• The Thunderbird had an automatic transmission with overdrive, which gave it better gas mileage than other cars on the market at that time (about 20 mpg).
• When it was initially released in the 1950s, this luxury sports car cost over $4,000, but its popularity caused prices to drop to around $3,400 later.
• The car weighed about 3,850 lbs. and had a 12-gallon gas tank.
• It featured very different styling than other cars of that era, with sharp angles and tailfins.

1956 Mercury Montclair

The Mercury Montclair serves as an Oldsmobile that stands out due to its unique design for the time period and shows that modern creature comforts such as air conditioning aren’t necessary. It was most notable on the road for its two-toned color design, typically seen in blue and white, allowing it to be differentiated from other vehicles from automakers. This V8 engine boasted 205 base horsepower along with rear-wheel drive, which was fairly customary for that day and age. Just over 320,000 Mercury Montclairs were produced in 1956, making it relatively common, which lasted until it was discontinued in 1969.

• The two-tone design was meant to match the early version of the Thunderbird.
• Less than 10% of the Mercury Montclairs produced in 1956 were made with a manual shifter.
• The Mercury Montclair is considered to be an overlooked and under-appreciated classic vehicle despite not being a part of the famous muscle cars of the era

1955 Porsche 550 Spyder

The death of legendary actor James Dean made this vehicle iconic overnight. Since then, the Porsche Spyder has also been driven by many celebrities, including the King himself — Elvis Presley. Nowadays, you can see this stunning vehicle at various automotive shows across America, showcasing its sleek design and movie-star quality looks. Porsche, as a brand, has become renowned for its roadster vehicles, which offer high performance, but the 550 Spyder is where many enthusiasts argue they really took off.

While also sleek to look at, the 550 Spyder featured a flat-four-cylinder engine capable of reaching up to 100 mph. The car also had an impressive weight-to-power ratio, providing about 24 horsepower per 1,000 lbs. of the vehicle. Along with this capability, the Spyder only weighed 1,350 lbs. and had a fuel tank that could hold up to 16 gallons of gas. With these features and performance capabilities, the 500 Spyder was truly ahead of the game for sports cars of the era.

• The Porsche 550 Spyder was initially developed for racing purposes.
• It has a Type 550 chassis with an engine similar to the four-camshaft, double-overhead camshafts found in Formula One cars, which offers an even sportier feel.
• This vehicle has appeared in many movies, including the iconic Rebel Without a Cause (1955).
• From 1953 to 1956, only 90 550s were produced, though they were able to establish dominance in their vehicle class.

1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville

When it first came out in 1949, this car was initially named the Series 62, but it changed to Coupe de Ville after a few years. Since then, the Coupe de Ville has been called one of the most beautiful cars ever made and is often the go-to vehicle people imagine when thinking of the era alongside other hallmarks, such as the Mercedes-Benz 300sl. The 1959 model is something you will want if you look for luxury and comfort on the road.

• It weighed just over 5,000 lbs., but its engine gave it an impressive fuel economy of 19 mpg at its peak.
• The Coupe de Ville features the popular ‘ tail fins’ that were very common with other cars of the era.
• Many celebrities have driven this vehicle over the years, including Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, and many more.

1953 Buick Skylark

The Buick Skylark has been a favorite of many car enthusiasts over the years, thanks to its ability to turn heads with its sharp angles and unique styling. Despite the fact that Buick is now known more for SUVs and their lesser-known sedans, the Skylark was a smash hit on the road, turning it into a collectible.

It wasn’t just about looks, either. The Skylark’s engine produced up to 180 horsepower and reached speeds of about 90 mph when cruising down the highway. Performance like this helped make the Skylar a stylish option that could also be great for families. This is a vehicle you would want to add to your bucket list if you are looking for a classic car that can get up and go whenever needed.

• This car weighed about 4,400 lbs. and had a fuel tank that could hold up to 30 gallons of gas!
• It featured sharp angles with wraparound windshields, which was very different from other cars on the market at that time. However, it set the trend for the rest of the 1950s. Additionally, the design features made it look like a rocket ship from the future, which provided a unique look on the road.
• The Skylark was a part of Buick’s 50th Anniversary celebration.

1956 Chevrolet Corvette

The 1956 Chevrolet Corvette is a vehicle that many people recognize as one of the most iconic cars ever made. In only its third year of production, the 1956 Corvette underwent some changes from its first model years that helped pave the way for the subsequent iterations of the car’s iconic looks over the years following. The vehicle was also one of the most advanced of its time, featuring a 265-cubic-unch V8 engine capable of 225 horsepower and up to 270 lbs. of torque. It is something you would want if you are looking for an American classic with high-performance capabilities at your fingertips.

• The Corvette was initially named after a warship.
• Despite its high-performance abilities, the 1956 Corvette weighed only about 2,980 lbs., well under the weight of some of the other classics on our list.
• The engine allowed it to reach speeds of up to 104 mph when cruising down the highway.

1950s Cars: FAQs

The 50s were an amazing era for the automotive market, with notable vehicles of all types. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the vehicles in that era:

What was the most popular car in the 1950s?

While many different cars from the 1950s stand out in particular, the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is among the most popular. This is primarily due to its unique shape and overhead valve V8 engine, which makes the BelAir notable even today. Additionally, this vehicle came at a time when the automotive market was truly beginning to boom even more, which resulted in increased popularity.

What were the car trends in the 1950s?

Following the end of World War II, the American manufacturing industry changed dramatically and switched back to a focus on consumer goods. By the end of the 50s, one in ten Americans were working in the auto industry. Also, around this time, the national highway system was expanded, which resulted in faster vehicles and more vehicles on the road. Car culture itself in regards to colors of vehicles was pastel favorited, with blue, pink, and green being the most common colors. Wrap-around windshields and ornaments on the hood were also staples of the vehicles produced during this decade.

What were the biggest car brands in the 1950s?

In the 1950s, the auto industry was heavily concentrated in the ‘Big 3’ auto brands: Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors. General Motors had the largest portion of this market, around 45%, followed by Ford at 25% and Chrysler at 20%. The remaining 10% was composed of smaller up-and-coming auto brands.

What was the best-looking car in the 1950s?

While the Chevrolet Bel Air may have been the most popular vehicle from the 1950s, the best-looking car is widely considered to be the 1959 MG A 1600. Of all the 1950s cars, this one became known as a symbol of elegance, performance, and a thrillful ride. With a four-speed manual gearbox, the handling on this vehicle helped ensure that anyone who was behind the wheel could have safe fun.

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