Top Cars of the 1950s

article written by: Josh Joubert

Some of the most iconic cars ever designed were manufactured in the post-war boom of the 1950s, which was a time of exploration and experimentation for the automobile industry. Advances in automotive technology sparked dramatic changes in manufacturing and efficiency, which caused significant economic growth and intense competition among automotive companies.

The average consumer had more disposable income after the American economy recovered from the war, which caused a hike in automobile prices. The thriving automotive industry created millions of jobs. In fact, one in six Americans employed at the time worked in the automotive industry in some capacity.

That economic environment, coupled with the emerging technology of the era, produced some of the best cars out there even today. Whether it’s a daily driver or a luxury car, they just don’t make them like they used to. Check out our top cars from the 1950s to see if your favorite model made the list.

• 1951 Studebaker Champion.

  The 1951 model of the Studebaker Champion was part of the third generation of Studebaker Champions. The 1951 Champion was a more affordable version of the previous year’s model and also boasted better gas mileage compared to its 1950 counterpart.

The wraparound rear window was also a key feature of the style of the car’s body, offering greater visibility and lending a unique touch to the car’s design. The cost of a brand new Studebaker in 1951 was a little over $1,600. Today, you can buy the same car for $11,000. Still not bad for a classic.

• 1953 Buick Roadmaster Skylark.

  Buick produced the 1953 Skylark convertible to mark the company’s 50^th anniversary and to showcase GM’s design quality. Complete with whitewall tires, an impressive grille, and a swooping, waterfall-style front end, this American classic was considered top-of-the-line and even included electronic window controls. With a price tag of more than $5,000, the Skylark was one of the most expensive luxury cars on the market.

• 1953 Porsche 550 Spyder.

  Okay, so this one’s not an American car, but it had such a profound impact on the racing industry that we just had to include it. The Spyder was the first of many racing cars built by Porsche. The prototype for the 1953 Spyder was built by hand. In 1953, the Spyder won its first race, thanks to its revolutionary design.

In fact, the Spyder was built so low to the ground that German Formula One driver Hans Herrman was able to drive it under lowered railroad crossing gates in 1954! After such an amazing feat, it’s no surprise the Spyder amassed racing victory after racing victory. Even with such an impressive racing record, the Spyder also doubled as an excellent daily driver, making it one of the most versatile cars on the market.

• 1954 Cadillac Eldorado.

  You couldn’t have an article about the best cars of the 1950s and not feature the famous Eldorado. This car all but defined the era. That year brought forth the second generation of Eldorados at a lower cost compared to previous models.

 
Just over 2,000 units were produced that year, so the 1954 Eldorado quickly became a rare model that car collectors and enthusiasts scrambled to acquire. And, for just over $4,700, acquiring one back then wasn’t exactly financially feasible for the average consumer. If you wanted to buy a mint condition 1954 Cadillac Eldorado today, you’d need to shell out $96,000.

• 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL.

  You got us – this one’s not American, either, but the 1955 Mercedes 300 SL is the definition of luxury and style. After all, James Bond drove one in Moonraker. The gullwing style of the doors was a revolutionary design, and the car included the first-ever fuel injection system produced.

Described as a race car for the street, the 300SL quickly became famous for having the top speed of any vehicle produced at the time. Today, you can pick up a mint condition Mercedes-Benz 300SL at auction for just $1,500,000. (It might seem a little pricey, but it is a vintage Mercedes, and it was featured in a Bond film. And Bond cars don’t exactly come cheap.)

• 1957 Ford Thunderbird.

  The 1957 Ford Thunderbird was the last model of Ford’s first generation of Thunderbirds, complete with larger grilles and tailfins than previous models. The Thunderbird quickly established itself as the go-to choice for personal luxury cars.

Producing it was a bold move on Ford’s part – especially considering they’d primarily produced sports cars up until 1953 – but it turned out to be wildly successful for the company. The following year, Ford added a backseat to the Thunderbird. They continued to manufacture Thunderbirds until 2005, making it one of the most successful Ford models in the company’s history.

• 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible.

  Anybody who was anybody in the 1950s wanted a Chevy convertible, and 1957 was certainly the year to get one. Chevrolet wanted to build an entirely new car for the 1955-1956 automotive year, but the chief engineer at Chevrolet wanted to make so many changes that production was pushed back an additional year.

While those changes caused the price of the car to skyrocket, the newly introduced features of the 1957 Chevrolet models established the Chevy as a classic car. The 1957 model of the Bel Air convertible was built lower to the ground and featured Chevy’s classic chrome headlight pods and tailfins for the very first time. The gold trim design added a luxurious touch to the convertible. Today, a mint condition 1957 Chevy Bel Air ranges from $37,000 to $120,000.

Modern cars are all about flashy technology and features, from built-in Wi-Fi and autonomous drivers to touchscreen radios and rearview cameras. The classic cars of the 50s, though, flawlessly combined luxury, style, and solid bodywork. No extra bells and whistles required. Granted, the 1950s saw the introduction of modern automotive staples such as seat belts, air conditioning, heating, power door and window controls, the V-8 engine, and fuel injection systems, among others.

The iconic cars of the 1950s not only paved the way for the cars we have today but established America as an international superpower. Even though America dominated the global automotive industry during the 1950s, countries like Germany and Italy produced some fine models of their own during that era, including the Porsche Spyder and the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. While these cars also went down in history as classics, they still couldn’t compete with the American cars of the 1950s.

What are your favorite cars from the 1950s? There are so many classics from the 1950s that it was impossible to include them all on our list. Let us know in the comments!

Top Cars of the 70’s

article written by: Josh Joubert

We’re taking you back to the era of 8-tracks and disco, Star Wars, and Archie Bunker. The 1970s produced several iconic car designs, some of which continue to live on in their name today. Others contributed to key performance and technological advancements in the automotive industry. Are you still hitting the road in one of these Top cars of the 70s?

Here are some of our favorite cars from the era marked by the oil crisis and bell-bottoms.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

The Chevrolet Chevelle underwent several design changes in 1969, but the 1970 Chevelle SS 454 also brought some changes to the brand. With a more square-shaped body, the 1970 model shared several parts with fellow GM family member, the Buick Skylark GSX. The 1970 LS6 Chevelle SS was a big car, clocking in at198 inches long and 76 inches wide; it featured a wheelbase of 112 inches. The Chevelle remains a classic muscle car staple.

1970 AMC Gremlin

Its recognizable design has made it a 70s classic. First introduced by AMC in 1970, pictured above is a 1971 Gremlin X model.

Few cars epitomize the automotive industry in the 1970s better than the AMC Gremlin. Though it is not known for being a particularly popular or reliable car, the Gremlin retains an active fan base to this day. A true product of the desire for compact, more fuel-efficient vehicles, the Gremlin competed for sales against the Ford Pinto and Volkswagen Beetle. The car cost $1,879 in its debut year. A 1975 Gremlin got roughly 21 miles per gallon compared to the Ford Pinto’s 23.

1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

First launched in 1970, the first generation of the Monte Carlo shared some styling with the Cadillac Eldorado. The debut year, while successful in terms of sales, was rocky. A strike helped drive demand for a reduced number of available Monte Carlos. A 1970 Monte Carlo would have set you back just over $3,100. The Monte Carlo was discontinued by 1988, but it did make a return in 1994 lasting until 2007.

1970 Plymouth Barracuda

A 1970 Plymouth Barracuda in “Lime Light” green. The Cuda has become a muscle car icon, thanks to its 1970 redesign.

In 1970, Plymouth gave their Barracuda model a complete refresh. The result was one of the most recognizable muscle cars ever produced. During its first two models years of the refresh, the Cuda was available with two choices for a V6 engine, and three for a V8, making the car a favorite of engine nuts and speed demons. The Cuda also came in some memorable colors, such as “Lime Light,” “Vitamin C,” and “Bahama Yellow.”

1974 Lamborghini Countach LP 400

Just over 2,000 Countaches were delivered over a 16-year period starting in 1974. The debut model, the LP 400, featured sharp angles that were a departure from Lamborghini’s more rounded Miura model. What made the Countach so awesome? Lamborghini debuted their iconic scissor door design with the Countach.

Not a friend to those in the 70s living through gas rations and the energy crisis, the Countach nonetheless played a major role in cementing the status the Lamborghini brand enjoys today. Who wouldn’t want to spend time working under the hood of this vehicle?

1974 Ford Mustang

The second generation of the iconic pony car was first offered for the 1974 model year. The new Mustang shared some concepts from the Ford Pinto, including a 2.3 L I-4 engine. The new generation of the Mustang was a return to basics in many ways, featuring similar design and styling to the original 1964 model. The success of the Mustang in the 1970s allowed the American classic to survive well beyond its initial offering in the 60s.

1974 Jeep Cherokee

Part station wagon, part SUV, the Jeep Cherokee is a 70s favorite. The Cherokee owed several of its design elements to the Jeep Wagoneer. A four-door option would be added in time for the 1977 model year. Long before the term became popular with the general public, the 1974 Jeep Cherokee sales brochure referred to itself using the phrase “Sport Utility.” The design for the Cherokee was compacted in 1984 as the Jeep Cherokee (XJ)—no longer a full-size SUV.

1976 Lotus Esprit

Known to many as the car from the James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me, in 1977, the Lotus Esprit was first offered in 1976. The British sports car never quite delivered in terms of speed, going 0 – 60 mph in roughly 8 seconds. However, the car was often praised for its handling ability. The angular contouring is not entirely unlike the Countach. The Esprit is a very light automobile, weighing just over 2,200 pounds.

1977 Pontiac Trans-Am

The 1977 Pontiac Trans-Am remains a favorite of 70s fanatics and car show attendees. (Photo: By Adi Gassmann, CC BY-SA 3.0)

The 1977 Pontiac Trans-Am Special Edition earned a starring role in the film Smokey and the Bandit that same year. The Trans-Am was given a restyling from the 1976 model, including changes to the front and a shift to square headlights, in particular. A Burt-Reynolds-owned 1977 model used to promote Smokey and the Bandit sold for $550,000 at auction in early 2016.

1978 Honda Civic

With the oil crisis crippling sales of gas-guzzling American cars, the door was open for foreign automakers to make a play for the U.S. market. The Honda Civic made its debut in 1972, but the five-door hatchback version was first sold in the U.S. in 1978. Today, the Honda Civic remains among the most popular selling cars in America, particularly with those favoring good gas mileage—the same reason that propelled the vehicle to success in the 1970s.

Do you have fond memories of your car in the 70s? The 1970s certainly gave the auto industry more than a handful of classics. Despite an economic slowdown, inflation, and oil crisis, several of these cars from the 70s are still offered today, proving their resilience.

Each of these cars continues to have a devoted following. Perhaps more than any other car category, the 70s will always be remembered by muscle car fanatics, producing memorable icons, such as the Cuda, the Trans-Am, and the second-generation Mustang.