The 1950s were a pivotal point in the global automobile industry, mainly because the post-World War II brought about new opportunities and challenges. After the war, technology underwent rapid changes with new ideas and better ways of completing tasks and objectives. Revolutionary trends in safety, mass production, and economies of scale were realized due to increased competition and regulation.
Entering 1950, there were over 25 million registered automobiles, mostly developed pre-World War II. Increased industrial activity within this decade resulted in over 67 million registered models by 1958. Car enthusiasts love cars built in the 1950s because they represent a significant point in the automobile industry. Most of these models influenced the shape of the industry as we know it today.
10 1959 Ford Skyliner
The 1959 Skyliner is one of the most beautiful classics of the 1950s; It embodied one of Ford's most uniquely branded products – the retractable roof mechanism. The two-door full-size Skyliner prides itself on being the second mass-produced car in automobile history to feature a hideaway hardtop. When the Skyliner debuted, it was the only hardtop convertible in the industry.
The model is also the first coupe convertible to have a roof with two segments and the first mass-produced car to reach four and five-digit mass-production numbers. Under the hood, all Skyliners had a V8, ranging from 4.5-liter to 5.8-liter variants.
9 1957 Chrysler 300C
The 300 letter series is one of Chrysler's most iconic lineup, boasting a successful production run from 1955 to 1965. Chrysler unveiled the 300C for the 1957 model year, featuring a larger tailfin and a wide front grille compared to the previous 300B model. This model was the first Chrysler model to feature a convertible body trim.
The car represents the '50s as one of the sickest Hemi-powered Mopars ever made. Chrysler equipped the 300C with an upgraded Hemi engine that was available as a 375bhp 6.4-liter FirePower V8 or the limited edition 390bhp variant. The Chrysler 300C distinguishes itself within the 300 letter series with red, blue, and white 300C medallions on the hood, trunk, sides, and interior.
8 1956 Jaguar D-Type
Although the E-Type overshadows the D-Type in Jaguar's history, the sports racing D-Type made its mark in numerous racing competitions. The Jaguar D-Type was explicitly designed to compete in Le Mans 24-hour race. It boasts an innovative monocoque cockpit construction and intelligent aerodynamics blended with aviation technology.
Jaguar equipped the D-Type with features that gave it a competitive edge; aluminum tubing subframe, aluminum alloy sheets, a deformable fuel bag in place of a conventional tank, dry-sump lubrication, and all-around disc brakes. Jaguar built 75 D-Types between 1954 and 1957, making the D-Type one of the most valuable 1950s Jaguar models.
7 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
Mercedes-Benz developed the 300 SL model as a gullwing coupe from 1954 to 1957, then marketed it as a roadster between 1957 and 1963. The 300 SL made its mark in history as the fastest production car during its time. The vehicle also prides itself on winning several racing competitions, most notably the 1955 European Rally Championship and the 1952 Le Mans.
Under the hood, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL houses a 3.0-liter OHC straight-six M198 that develops 240bhp at 6100rpm and 217lb-ft maximum torque at 4600rpm. The 300SL features a tubular frame, hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers, double wishbone suspension, and recirculating ball steering. Mercedes-Benz built a total of 2,658 units by the end of the 300SL's production run.
6 Willys-Jeep CJ-5
After a successful production stint involving World War II military vehicles, Jeep was ready to venture into the commercial market. Jeep built the civilian CJ models as a range and a series of open-bodied small off-road cars. The CJ-5 model was inspired by the M38A1 Jeep deployed in the Korean War, a unique profile crucial to its long production run.
This successful run lasted from 1954 to 1983, marked with numerous engine variants and upgrades. These powertrains include 2.2-liter Willys Hurricane, 3.1-liter Perkins, 3.7-liter Dauntless, 2.5-liter Iron Duke, 3.8-liter AMC, 4.2-liter AMC, and 5.0-liter AMC variants. A 1980 TV segment called 60 Minutes criticized the CJ-5's aptness for rolling over, initiating this iconic model's demise.
5 Tri-Five Chevys
The Tri-Five was a series of automobiles manufactured by Chevrolet in 1955, 1956, and 1957. They included the Chevrolet 150, 210, Nomad, and Bel-air. Their revolutionary impact in the market still makes them very popular among collectors and automobile enthusiasts.
All the Tri-Fives came with a front-engine and rear-wheel-drive layout. Among the most successful elements of the Tri-Five series was the production of the 4.3-liter V8 engine in 1955, dubbed the "Turbo-Fire." Chevrolet later gave their clients options of choosing up to seven different versions of the V8 engine, ranging from the initial 265 to the latest 283-cubic inch SBC.
4 1954 Nash Metropolitan
Unknown to some car enthusiasts, the Nash Metropolitan is an American automobile that was actually assembled in England. The Metropolitan is famous for featuring under two unique classes; a subcompact and economy car. Marketed between 1953 and 1961, this model prides itself on being the first postwar American model to target the female drivers market.
The Met had 2-door hardtop and 2-door convertible body styles. It was powered by a front-mounted 1200cc, 4-cylinder engine. The Met's prices ranged from $1,450 for the hardtop and $1,469 for the convertible. This generous price tag ensured the Nash Metropolitan was not only available to the rich.
3 Triumph TR3A
The British automaker, Standard-Triumph Motor Company, manufactured the Triumph TR3A sports car between 1957 & 1962. Considered an improvement to its predecessor, the TR2, the TR3 had better brakes and increased power. Triumph fitted the TR3A with exterior door handles, a lockable boot handle, a wide front grille, and a standard tool kit.
The sports car managed 0-60 mph in 12 seconds by churning power from a 100 bhp 1,991cc OHV straight-four engine. The TR3A carried over the unique standard brakes from the TR3 model, making it an autocross elite at the time. The TR3A still competes in E-production in the Sports Car Club of America and vintage racing to date.
2 1957 Ford Thunderbird
After the Chevrolet Corvette featured in the 1953 New York Auto Show, Ford responded aggressively through the Thunderbird. The two-seat Thunderbird convertible was Ford's first 2-seat model since 1938. The Thunderbird is famous for playing a significant role in the luxury car's evolution as part of the US mass-market segment.
Ford managed to outsell Chevrolet by focusing the Thunderbird's features on driver comfort as opposed to speed. Throughout its production run, the Thunderbird featured two engine variants; a 4.8-liter Y-Block V8 and an upgraded 5.1-liter model. The 1957 Thunderbird is a valuable collectible since Ford did not build two-seaters until the 1982 EXP sports car.
1 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser
Mercury named the Turnpike Cruiser to commemorate the creation of the Interstate Highway Stadium. The Turnpike Cruiser was labeled Mercury's flagship model, forcing its way above the Montclair in the lineup. Mercury offered the Turnpike Cruiser as a four-door and two-door hardtop sedan, although a limited edition Convertible Cruiser was available during the 1957 model year.
The Turnpike Cruiser featured a few V8 engine variants; a 6.0-liter Y-Block, a 6.3-liter Marauder, a 7.0-liter Marauder, and a 7.0-liter Super Marauder. Although this model shares body features with the Montclair, the Turnpike Cruiser is distinguished by quad headlamps, gold-anodized tailfins, retractable rear window, and a compound-curved windshield design.