The 1950s and the 1960s were two important decades in general, but for automotive enthusiasts, that was a game-changing era. Even some of the worst automobiles of that period are among the most gorgeous classic machines in existence.
1. 1955 BMW Isetta (3 Wheel)
In 1955, the BMW Isetta became the world’s first mass-production car to achieve a fuel consumption of 3 l/100 km. Not many people know that it was the top-selling single-cylinder car in the world, with 161,728 units sold.
2. 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
This is a full-size car produced by Chevrolet for the 1950–1981 model years. At first, only the two-door hardtops in the Chevrolet model range were designated with the Bel Air name from 1950 to 1952.
3. 1956 BMW 507
Initially intended to be exported to America at a rate of thousands per year, this grand touring convertible ended up being too expensive. This resulted in a total production figure of 252 cars and some heavy financial losses for BMW.
4. 1952 Maserati A6GCS/ 53 Spyder
This car was developed for both racing and public enjoyment and was designed by the renowned Maserati brothers. This model features a lightweight construction that combines a tubular steel chassis with a stunning fiberglass body.
5. 1950 Jaguar XK120
This is a sports car manufactured by Jaguar between 1948 and 1954. The fastest production car in the world in its time, and it would go on to be developed into the XK140 and XK150 models.
6. 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder
This racing sports car was produced by Porsche from 1953 until 1956. In that time, only 90 Porsche 550s were produced, and they quickly established dominance in the 1.1- and 1.5- liter classes.
7. 1955 Citroen DS
Marketed with a less expensive variant, the Citroën ID was known for its aerodynamic, futuristic body design and innovative technology and set new standards in ride quality, handling, and braking.
8. 1958 Fiat 8-V Supersonic
While the name Fiat was predominantly associated with small utilitarian cars with small engines, this new car broke the mould. In 1952, Road & Track magazine called the Fiat 8V “the biggest surprise of the year.”
9. 1954 Buick Skylark
Arguably, the 1953 Skylark was the pinnacle of Buick styling. However, after 1953, the Skylark line seemed to go downhill. The car got larger with the rest of the industry.
10. 1954 Triumph TR2
Experts argue that the main purpose when developing the TR2 was to provide competition to MG in the States. Whilst a production run of 8,628 may not seem like a lot today, it was a very good selling model for Triumph and a perfect car to bolster Triumph’s US image.
11. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
The 300 SL was capable of reaching speeds of up to 260 km/h, earning it a reputation as a sports car racing champion and making it the fastest production car of its time. This automobile’s iconic gullwing doors and innovative lightweight tubular-frame construction contributed to its status as a groundbreaking car.
12. 1959 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
This is a grand tourer sports car. At first, the factory planned to produce 25 cars, but demand was not as strong as expected, and production was reduced to only 19.
13. 1958 Bianchina Supermini
This minicar was produced by the Italian automaker Autobianchi and was based on the Fiat 500’s chassis and mechanicals. At first, the car was equipped with the smallest Fiat engine, air-cooled 479 cc, producing 15 PS (11 kW).
14. 1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1
This vehicle is the first generation of the Corvette sports car produced by Chevrolet. This generation is commonly referred to as the “solid-axle” generation, as the independent rear suspension did not appear until the 1963 Sting Ray.
15. 1953 Lotus Mark VI
This is the first production car by Lotus Cars. It was introduced by Colin Chapman in 1952 after previously building multiple trials and road racing cars. Rather than a complete car, you could purchase it as a kit, wherein you could install any preferred engine and gearbox, making it eligible for a wider number of formulae.
16. 1959 Austin Mini
The Austin Seven, developed by Alec Issigonis, was launched in the public arena in 1959. The “Mini” was fitted with an engine mounted transversely in the front and front-wheel drive and embodied an innovative concept for a small car.
17. 1959 MGA 1500
Today, the value of a 1959 MG MGA can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $18,500 for a 1959 MG MGA in good condition with average specs. The highest selling price of a 1959 MG MGA at auction over the last three years was $68,835.
18. 1957 Ford Thunderbird
The base engine in the ’57 Thunderbird line-up was the 292 four-barrel, pumping out 212 horsepower. The 312, also with a single four, was a step up and rated at 245 horsepower. The hottest carbureted V-8 was the dual quad 312, boasting 270 horsepower.
19. 1955 BMW Isetta (4 Wheel)
The 1955 BMW Isetta is a unique microcar that became an icon of post-war European motoring, showcasing innovative design and compact efficiency. It was originally developed as a three-wheeled vehicle, but the 1955 version evolved to feature four wheels.
20. 1955 Alfa Romeo BAT-9
No one who saw the BAT 5 show car in 1953 could ever forget it. It was a futuristic experience. But it was also realistic, capable of being driven in everyday traffic and of traveling very fast and with good fuel economy.
21. 1956 AC Ace Roadster
The AC Ace is a sports car produced by AC Cars of Thames Ditton, England, from 1953 until 1963. Did you know about 220 AC Aces and 466 Ace-Bristol cars were produced during its 10 year run?
22. 1958 Vespa 400
When Italian company Piaggio introduced the Vespa scooter in 1946, little did it know just what an icon its two-wheeler would become. Piaggio would go on to produce millions of Vespas across dozens of different model ranges, but what’s not so well known is that Vespa also made a car between 1957 and 1961 called the 400.
23. 1956 VW Type 1
This car, famously known as the Beetle, epitomized the German brand’s commitment to practicality and reliability. Powered by a 1.2-liter air-cooled engine with 36 horsepower, this automobile provided modest but sufficient performance for everyday commuting.
24. 1955 Chevy Pickup
There are various Chevy pickups from the 1950s, but the 1955 model is truly unique. This automobile incorporates characteristics from early models as well as elements from later ones, making it an excellent representation of Chevy in the 1950s.
25. 1952 Cadillac Eldorado
This is a luxury car manufactured and marketed by Cadillac from 1952 until 2002. The Eldorado was at or near the top of the Cadillac line. Both the original 1953 Eldorado convertible and the Eldorado Brougham models of 1957–1960 had distinct bodyshells.
26. 1953 Chrysler Imperial 1949
Imperials are very rare as production records show only 50 Imperial sedans and 85 Imperial Crown limousines were built. The retail price for the 1949 Imperial was US$4,664 ($59,725 in 2023 dollars) and US$5,334 ($62,613 in 2023 dollars) for the Imperial Crown limousine.
27. 1950 Ford F100
The first generation of the Ford F-Series is a series of trucks that was produced by Ford Motor Company from the 1948 to the 1952 model years. Today, you can expect to pay around $29,600 for a 1950 Ford F-1 1/2 Ton in good condition.
28. 1956 Lincoln Continental
The Continental line started in 1940 as an alternative to Lincoln’s upscale Zephyr (some reports say Edsel Ford, upon returning from Europe, wanted a car that was “strictly continental” in its appearance), and it was a lower (by 3 inches) and longer (by 7 inches) than its Zephyr brother.
29. 1961 Cadillac Sedan de Ville
The Cadillac DeVille is a model name used by Cadillac over eight generations, originally to designate a trim level of the 1949 Cadillac Series 62 and later for a standalone model in the brand range. The last model marketed specifically as a DeVille was the 2005 full-size sedan, at the time, Cadillac’s largest model.
30. 1961 Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala was introduced in 1958 with its signature triple taillights and remained Chevrolet’s most popular full-sized model through the mid-1980s. It underwent a performance-focused revival as a 5.7-liter V8-powered Caprice Classic sedan between 1994 and 1996. At first, the Caprice debuted in 1965 as a top-line Impala Sport Sedan before becoming a separate series above the Impala a year later.
