1950 Vintage Cars

1950’s Chevrolet

Cars Versus the

1950’s Ford Cars

The cars from the 1950s were truly style icons. From the shapes to the engineering, General Motors and Ford crafted innovative designs that are still admired by many. Attend any classic car show and you will see many models from the 1950s. There is something special about these vehicles.

Rivals as American carmakers

Ford and General Motors each had the goal of determining what American consumers wanted in vehicles and trying to be the first company to deliver that product. The philosophy of “I can make that better” became commonplace among carmakers. The American consumer benefited from the intense competition between the two automobile giants. Pricing was affordable while style was high. Chevrolet Cars Pictures along with their Ford counterparts were seen in print ads in newspapers and magazines.

Chevrolet Bel Air

The early 1950s saw the automakers looking at retooling old ideas. Chevrolet came out with one of the first affordable hardtop convertibles in 1950; the model was called Bel Air. They set out to improve upon the old soft-top cars that were just not feasible in rain or winter weather. GM created a hybrid style that provided the convertible experience when opened up, but also gave the comfort and protection needed against the weather when closed. Chevrolet Cars Images, particularly the Bel Air, were seen everywhere. In 1950, 74,634 Bel Airs were sold and Chevrolet regained its position over Ford as market leader.

Ford’s response to Bel Air: Crown Victoria

The following year Ford unveiled the Custom Victoria. It outsold the Bel Air in 1951 by 7,000 units. The engineering of the Custom Victoria include an innovative pillarless superstructure. Ford car pics of this model show superbly clean lines. This combined with a posh interior and good performance with a flathead V-8 propelled this model to eclipse the Chevrolet Bel Air.

Ford’s Ranchero

Ford beat Chevrolet in the rollout of the Ranchero model. Considered a “crossover”, the Ranchero appealed equally to car and truck drivers. It displayed utility features while offering comfort ability. Old Ford Car Pictures of the Ranchero was a two-door wagon with the rear section of the roof taken off and a bedliner placed in the floor plan.

Chevy’s reaction: El Camino

GM’s counterpart to Ford’s Ranchero was the El Camino. Among Vintage Chevrolet cars, the El Camino is very unique in appearance. Using an integrated pickup box, a sedan was morphed into a pickup.

America on Wheels 1950’s Vintage Automobile Film

Vintage British Cars of the 1950s

Britain made its name in the world of classic cars in the 1950s with names such as sports car launched in1952 and the Sunbeam Alpine a year later. As the decade progressed, another company associated with vintage British cars of the era, Jaguar, rolled out its XK140 and Mk II ranges.

As the British motor industry revived itself following the war restrictions of the 1940s, Sunbeam entered the new decade with the launch of the Alpine. It was a development from the Sunbeam Talbot 80, first rolled out in the late 40s. The Alpine made a name as an excellent rally car, its Mk III 90 model winning the 1955 Monte Carlo rally, but was fazed out that year to be replaced by the Rapier.

Jaguar’s powerful vehicles are readily identified with the classic British cars of the 1950s. Jaguar had launched their XK 120 sports car, with a 3.4 litre engine as early as 1948, but by the early years of the new decade had moved production to the Browns Lane site in Coventry. By 1954 the company had improved on the XK120 with the XK140.

The 1950s were a golden period for Jaguar as they made their name in the world of motor sports. But by the end of the decade they had introduced another car which was to become a classic with the launch of the Mk II saloon.

Joining the ranks of producers of classic British cars of the 1950s is also Ford – albeit its British operation. Models such as the Zodiac, Zephyr and Consul, all British designs, were rolled out during the decade. By 1956 Ford had produced the Mk II versions of these cars.

Other great motoring names of the period are the likes of AC and Austin. AC had produced a 2 litre model by 1950 which came in various body styles. By 1953 they introduced the popular Ace two-seater open topped sports car and by the middle of the decade had added the Aceca Coupe to their range.

During the 1950s Austin were no slouches in producing new models. But one in particular was to become a true British classic. It was none other than the Austin Seven. Launched in1959 it was to become more famously known as the Mini – a model which under its various guises is available to this very day.

Coca Cola 1950 ’s Style Double Sided Placemat SET OF 4 Coke THESE ARE NO LONGER PRODUCED … WHEN THEY’RE GONE, THEY’RE GONE. These are new, still in original packaging. Great looking Coca Cola collectible ! These can be used as placemats, wall sign or poster. They are made of a durable plastic material and are washable ! They are also reversible …. see pictures. It’s like having 2 different sets of placemats. Be sure to see our Store Front for more gr…

Elvis Presley’s Pink Cadillac Retro Glass Tumblers – (Set of 4) $9.99 Once Elvis became a wealthy man, he indulged in buying cars and lavishing them on others. Set of 4 16-oz. tumblers features an image of The King in front of his pride and joy. Retro pink/black/white color scheme. Intended for the adult collector and not for children….

The 1953 Jaguar – C Type Le Mans Winner – 3×2 inch Fridge Magnet – large magnetic button – Magnet $4.99 Rectangular wrap-around refrigerator magnet and a glossy mylar cover.Large 2×3 inch rectangle fridge magnet or ‘buttons’ as they are sometimes known in the USA.Crop shown is automated for display purposes only. All magnets are hand finished and the best most appropriate crop will always be selected to best show the full image. Therefore, actual product may vary slightly from crop shown – this can …

Doo Wop Box $42.95 The unwritten rules for doo-wop groups were deceptively simple: name your group after a bird (the Wrens, the Flamingos) or a car (the Cadillacs, the El Dorados), practice your two-, three-, or four-part harmonies on a neighborhood street corner or in the back of a candy store, and sing songs about how much you love your baby. It might have seemed like an obvious formula, but getting it just right …

150 Cartoon Classics $1.98 WOW! 150 Cartoon Classics DVD Set. PRICED LOW! Hours of classic animation! Here’s the ultimate collection of 150 Classic Cartoons. A laugh a minute featuring all-time favorite characters and fun-filled antics from the Golden Age of animation. Starring Woody Woodpecker, Popeye, The Three Stooges, Casper, Betty Boop and more on 4 Discs. Set weighs 6 ozs. Nab your kid-friendly Set now! 150 Cartoon Cl…

Television’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 1: From the 50s and 60s $21.98 65 TV themes from the 50’s and 60’s. Includes Mission Impossible. TVT 1100 CD….

The Long, Long Trailer [VHS] $8.75 Success in that newfangled television business prompted Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz to bring their slapstick chemistry to the big screen, courtesy of a 28-foot monster of a trailer home. The Long, Long Trailer is one of those domestic nightmare movies, in which an ordinary couple has their existence upended by a new contraption: in this case, a lemon-yellow motor home. They make the mistake of to…

Classic Car Commercials From the 50s and 60s $3.99 “It’s a campy road trip down the memory lane of chrome when you view these Classic Car commercials from the 1950s and 1960s. For present “teletouch drive” when the new Edsel is introduced by Bing Crosby in 1958…Speedy 75…Bargain Days at Buick with Milton Berle…New design for VW…Hertz puts you back in the drivers seat and much more…”…

To Please a Lady [VHS] $19.98 …

Cosco 11-130WHT Chair/Step Stool, White $35.00 24” high seat is ideal for most counters; lifts up for easy access to steps. Wipe clean vinyl upholstered cushioned seat and sturdy steel back. Durable Opti Bond powder coat finish. Easy to assemble. Ribbed, slip resistant step treads. 225 lb. weight capacity. 10 year limited warranty. Dimensions open: 33.5” H. x 17.5” W. x 15.75” D. White….