I asked you, our feral commentariat, to give me your opinions on what the best cars of the 1950s were and holy hell, did you all deliver. We’ve got Chevys, we’ve got Dodges. There are Benzes and Citroens and Subarus and everything else under the sun and I love them all.
Let’s sit in the reflected glow of our eyesight-ruining screens and enjoy this trip back to the post-war world of cars.
Citroen DS. Sex on wheels, novel engineering, cool as fuck, and in the States they are unusual as fuck.
Submitted by Ente Süßsauer
I’ll give the cliché boomer answer. Tri-Fives sold by the millions for a reason. They perfectly reflected the American 1950's of postwar optimism, everyman achievability, rock and roll, powerful V8, style, comfort, yaddah yaddah yaddah. It’s like the example when it comes to the whole Americana marketing schtick.
Submitted by Goose
The quality was terrible, but I’ve always loved the long, low, and wide Virgil Exner “Forward Look” design of the 57-58 DeSotos and Chryslers. The best interpretation of US “Jet Age” period optimism. These were relatively tasteful and clean. The whole fin and chrome thing got hideous and weird amongst all the “Big 3" for 59 and after (bat-wing Chevy’s, over-chromed Buicks), and Exner really went off the rails and got fired. Tri-5's are so dumpy to me: fat, old bathtub shape, but with fins applied. But they were reliable for the time, and I grudgingly respect their Camry-esque middle class boringness. (Note: this is my American car vote, but if I had to pick only 1 car, of course it’s the Citroen DS.)
Submitted by spookiness
Raced and rallied throughout the 50's. Also one of the two things I can remember from Cruel Intentions.
Submitted by Tacet
Mini
Submitted by bmw325_num99
While it’s undergone plenty of changes, two different companies, and an enormous number of copies, the Seven has managed to survive 66 years as recognizably the same car, which is a pretty solid testament to its greatness.
Submitted by Maymar
How about Japan’s beetle? Subaru 360:
Submitted by STIKleinWagon
Yeah, the doors are cool, and it is one of the most beautiful cars ever made, but it was always the tech that got me...1955 and it had a 3.ol fuel injected six making 240hp. Ok, the swing-axle rear suspension was called ‘diabolical’ at the limit by many, but independent suspension in general is pretty nifty at that point in history.
Submitted by Osmodious
There has to be a Vette on the list...
Submitted by JHamm
The 550 Spyder.
Submitted by KirkAnthony2922