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.”
Harold LeMay, a Tacoma businessman, loved cars and managed to collect more than 3,000 automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles over forty years of collecting. A number of the vehicles from his collection form the nucleus of the LeMay—America’s Car Museum. This collection of more than 300 cars, motorcycles, and trucks is displayed in a four-level building in Tacoma, Washington. Shown below are some of the cars of the 1950s displayed in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
1951 Studebaker Champion Starlight 2-Door Coupe
This car was a 6-cylinder, 170 cubic inch, 85 horsepower engine with a 3-speed manual transmission.
1952 MG TD2
According to the Museum:
“Who knew when soldiers began bringing the MGs back to the United States in the 1940s that these small and somewhat underpowered, but very classy, little cars would create an everlasting and affordable class of sports car?”
The car has a 4-cylinder, 1250cc, 54hp engine. It has a top speed of 77 mph.
1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria, 2-Door Hardtop
This was the first year for Ford’s wraparound windshield. This car has a V8, 292 cubic inch, 182hp engine with an automatic transmission.
1956 Studebaker Flight Hawk Coupe
This is a one-year only model and just 4,389 were built. The sticker price on this car was $2,852. This car has a 6-cylinder, 186 cubic inch, 101hp engine with a 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive.
1957 Packard Clipper, 4-Door Sedan
The 1957 Packard Clipper is actually a Studebaker with the Packard nameplate. This car has a V8, 289 cubic inch, 275hp engine with an automatic transmission.
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Door Sedan
The tail fins were said to have been inspired by the F-86 Sabre jet fighter. This car has a V8, 265 cubic inch, 162hp engine.
1958 Pontiac Bonneville 2-Door Hardtop
The Bonneville line was new for 1958. This car has a V8, 389 cubic inch, 303hp engine.
More automobiles
Packard Museum: the 1950s (photo diary)
Packard Museum: Concept cars of the 1950s (photo diary)
LeMay Family Collection: Some cars of the 1950s (photo diary)
LeMay Family Collection: Some European cars from the 1950s (photo diary)
WAAAM: Automobiles of the 1950s (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles of the 1950s (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Fords and Chevrolets of the 1950s (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: 1950s Fords in the Classic Auto Museum (photo diary)