The 1950s was a very important decade of progress, thriving production and creativity in many areas. The world was finally recovering from the devastation of World War II, and the car industry restarted all production in a big way. Cars became a necessity rather than just a luxury, and car manufacturers strove to create stylish designs and improved performance. Although the 1960s are often considered the golden age of automotive progress, cars from the 1950s still have a very special place for classic enthusiasts. They were beautiful, innovative, and unique enough to inspire the models that followed a decade or two later. We present some of the most iconic classics of the 50's.
1- Mercedes-Benz 300SL
The 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL is a beauty of its own and probably one of the most beautiful cars Mercedes has ever made. The design is almost perfect and the gull-wing doors that open to reveal a luxurious interior make this car a true masterpiece. It was the fastest production car at the time, reaching a top speed of 240 km/h.
2- Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
The 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa is also part of the range of the most beautiful cars ever. It came with such distinctive styling that it was easily identified as a Ferrari. Light and smooth looks alone set it apart, it broke racetrack records and paved the way for all of the marque's sports cars not just in the 1950s, but forever after.
3- Porsche 550 RS Spyder
Another beautiful classic from the 1950s is the Porsche 550 RS Spyder, released in 1956. It was known as the first Porsche racing car, super light, low body and painted in the unmistakable gray. The 550 Spyder was hand-built, which meant that each car was unique, only 90 were ever made, making the Spyder one of the rarest Porsches of all time.
4- Ford Thunderbird
The 1955 Ford Thunderbird was considered the quintessential American car of the 1950s, offering high performance, stunning design and an incredible driving experience. The T-bird, as it was called, was created in response to Chevrolet's new Corvette and was marketed as a luxury car, despite being affordable for the American middle class.
5- Aston Martin DB4
One of the fastest cars released during the 1950s, the Aston Martin DB4 was undoubtedly a sensational appearance wherever it went. It was launched in 1958, but it shaped the world automobile scene. The Aston Martin DB4 quickly became the luxury sports car of choice for many wealthy people and was the basis for James Bond's DB5, which achieved international fame.
6- Chevrolet Corvette
The 1953 Chevrolet Corvette needs no introduction. This line of cars is so iconic that all people easily recognize it when they see it. The fiberglass bodywork makes it a light car and the two-seater convertible design is simply adorable and unmistakable.
7- MGA 1500
The MGA replaced the MG TF 1500 Midget and represented a complete stylistic departure from previous MG sports cars. It was officially announced on September 26, 1955 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The end of production was in July 1962, 101,081 units were sold, the MGA was replaced by the MGB.
8- Cadillac Eldorado
Cadillac released some great cars in the 1950s, but the Eldorado was impressive. It hit the roads in 1957 as one of the brand's most expensive cars. The elongated bodywork, the conical bumpers, the chrome lines, the whitewall tires, everything made the Eldorado a beautiful car. Added to its luxurious exterior, there was also a lush and beautiful interior. Eldorado was a real hit with consumers, bringing Cadillac much-needed success in the marketplace.
9- Jaguar XK140
The 1955 Jaguar XK140 was superb from every literal point of view and served as the foundation and inspiration for the forthcoming and extraordinary E-Type. The Jaguar XK140 took on the form of a GT, made for long-distance travel, which was a wonderful fit for the 1950s.
10- Aston Martin DBR1
The DBR1 came out in 1956 and was incredible, it turned heads wherever it went, raced four times in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and won the 1,000km race at the Nurburgring in 1958. Its engine was a revolutionary that took the DBR1 to a top speed of almost 250 km/h. It really was an incredible achievement for the automotive industry.
11- Lincoln Continental
When it comes to classic American luxury cars from the 1950s, the 1956 Lincoln Continental is hard to beat. Only three thousand were built, with immense class for the time, options included air conditioning and a good sound system, which Americans were not used to. They were all handcrafted, which gave it a nice feeling of exclusivity, but unfortunately it turned out to be the most expensive American car at the time. Despite this, it stood out as a classic car as luxurious as its European counterparts.
12- Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud
With its distinctive aesthetic and performance improvements, the 1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was one of the best cars released in the 1950s. It had the unmistakable old-school British look, big and luxurious, but adapted to the modernity of the time. Inside, the Silver Cloud already had air conditioning and leather seats.
13- Triumph TR2
The Triumph TR2 is a sports car produced by Standard Motor Company in the United Kingdom between 1953 and 1955. It was only available in roadster form. A total of 8,636 TR2 were manufactured, in 1955 it was replaced by the TR3.
14- AC Ace Roadster
It was with the 1953 Ace sports car that the AC company gained its reputation in the 1950s. It was looking for a replacement for the previous 2 liter engine, so the manufacturer adopted a design by John Tojeiro that used a lightweight tubular frame and a light alloy body. two-seater made with English wheels, possibly inspired by the Ferrari 166 MM barchetta.
15- Maserati A6GCS/ 53 Spyder
The A6G was a series of two-door coupes and spyders for street use rather than competition. But Maserati released the first sports car. To easily distinguish it from the first generation model, the new 1953 sports model was dubbed the A6GCS/53. The new A6GCS/53 proved to be immediately competitive, finishing third overall and first and second in class in the 1953 Mille Miglia. Initial success meant that demand was high and between 1953 and 1955 over 50 examples were built.
