The Fifties—sometimes called the Fabulous Fifties—was the era following World War II and the Great Depression in which people explored and enjoyed their newfound economic comfort. Sociologists have sometimes categorized the Fifties as a filiarchy: an era ruled by the perceived needs and wants of children by their indulging parents.
In his book Panati’s Parade of Fads, Follies, and Manias, Charles Panati writes:
“The nostalgic richness of the Fifties has much to do with the decade being a period of genuine and sustained economic growth. Upward mobility then meant something to every middle-class family.”
This was a time when the United States had a relatively large and still growing middle class.
With regard to automobiles, Nick Georgano, in his book The American Automobile: A Centenary 1893-1993, reports:
“During the 1950s, the V8 became established as the logical power unit for American cars. The straight-6 was relegated to the lowest-priced lines and the straight-8 was consigned to oblivion.”
Shown below are some of the cars from the 1950s which were displayed in the Thunder Dome Car Museum in Enumclaw, Washington.
1953 Cadillac Fleetwood
This car has a V8, 331 cubic inch engine with an automatic transmission. The 1953 price was $4,305.
1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner, Hardtop Convertible
This car has a retractable hardtop. The folding roof and trunk-lid are power-operated using an exceptionally complex system which involved three drive motors, four lock motors, ten power relays, ten limit switches, eight circuit breakers, and 610 feet of wiring. The fuel tank had to be relocated behind the rear seat. At the time of its introduction, the Skyliner was the only true hardtop convertible in the world.
This car has a Thunderbird V8, 312 cubic inch engine with a 3-speed automatic transmission.
1957 Chevrolet Cameo
This car has a 6-cylinder, 235 cubic inch engine with a 5-speed automatic.
More cars
Museums 101: Some Fords from the 1950s (photo diary)
Museums 101: A Lincoln and a Cadillac from the 1950s (photo diary)
Car Show: Cars from the 1950s (Photo Diary)
WAAAM: Automobiles of the 1950s (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: 1950s Fords in the Classic Auto Museum (photo diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles of the 1950s (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Fords and Chevrolets of the 1950s (Photo Diary)
Packard Museum: the 1950s (photo diary)