About This Quiz
Does your car choice make you Greaser or a Soc? Do you crave rocket-shaped taillights and a vehicle that's excessively long? If so, the 1950s is the decade for you!Â
With the horrors of World War II fading into history and economic prosperity in the United States and other countries, people were ready to start buying cars again. All that cash and hard-earned optimism resulted in some pretty wild designs for vehicles back in the day, like large tail fins, plenty of chrome, bright colors and curvaceous body panels. Previously, cars had a more understated and generic look to them, and afterward they morphed into more practical shapes. This makes many 1950s models highly collectible, since they're unlike vehicles from any other decade.Â
Some call the 1950s the most dangerous period of time for cars. Horsepower and torque ratings were rising, but safety standards hadn't even begun to catch up. Gas prices weren't a concern, with vehicle weights rising dramatically. What's more, many war veterans had a craving for speed, with drag races on public roads an increasing problem. It was an evolutionary time for the automobile.Â
How much do you know about this golden age of the automobile? Take the quiz now and test out your knowledge!
Launched in the latter part of the 1953 model year, the Corvette quickly proved itself as worthy of the title "America's Sports Car." It was first designed as a show car.
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Cited by many as one of the most beautiful cars ever made, the 1955 Ford Thunderbird debuted as a two-seater convertible model.
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The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is considered one of the most classic and iconic vehicles of the 1950s. It was produced through 1981.
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Debuting in 1956, the Lincoln Continental Mark II set new benchmarks in the luxury car market, including sumptuous leather upholstery and air conditioning standard. Production ceased in 1957.
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The Chrysler Imperial was highly luxurious. However, it was considered an excessively expensive car at the time.
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The 1953 Buick Roadmaster Skylark was launched to mark the 50th anniversary of the brand, and today it's considered one of the most collectible vehicles made by Buick.
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The XK120 debuted in 1948. Jaguar was going to originally make this iconic model for a limited time, but thanks to unanticipated demand that changed in a hurry.
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Hudson Motor Car Company made the Hornet from 1951 to 1954, using the car for many decisive victories in NASCAR during that period.
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Debuting for the 1952 model year, the Bentley R-Type Continental is one of the most iconic luxury cars of the decade, helped by the potent V-6 and lightweight design.
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Debuting at the tail end of the decade, the 1959 Austin Mini showed that an ultra-small car could be practical and fun. This Mini was also sold under the Morris label.
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Offered from 1952 to 1959, the DeSoto Firedome exemplified many of the designs that were typical for the decade. It is now considered a true classic.
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This French front-engine, front-wheel-drive car was made starting in 1955, featuring bodywork that was quite aerodynamic and futuristic for the time. It was named the most beautiful car of all time by "Classic & Sports Car" magazine.
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The 1953 Porsche 550 Spyder had a humongous impact on motorsports at the time. Competitors tried to emulate designs from it for some time afterward.
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Many say the second-gen Cadillac Eldorado, which stormed onto the market in 1954, pretty much defines 1950s cars, making the car quite a collector's item today.
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The 503 hit the market in 1956, being the first official sports car from BMW after the close of WWII, and it cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $17,000.
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By today's standards this would be considered a subcompact car, although when the Nash Metropolitan launched in 1953 such a term didn't exist. It was categorized as an economy car.
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Made in both short and long wheelbase forms, the 250GT California Spyder was designed by Ferrari for the North American market.
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In 1955 GMC changed the name of the Town & Country, which was the brand's version of Chevrolet's Cameo, to Suburban. The truck had more powerful engines than the Chevrolet version, making it superior.
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Offered from 1951 to 1958, the Patrician was the top-of-the-line sedan for the Packard brand. It offered supreme luxury and a stuffy appearance.
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Most people have heard of the catastrophe known as the Edsel, but they aren't aware of the 1958 Pacer. Edsel shared a platform with Ford.
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Kaiser launched the Manhattan in 1951, then gave it a big facelift in 1954, basing the looks partly off the Buick XP-300 concept.
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While technically launched right after WWII, the Studebaker Starliner previewed some of the swooping, optimistic vehicle designs that dominated the 1950s.
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The first SL-Class model, the 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL featured a clean and sleek design, plus those iconic gull-wing doors.
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The MGA line was made by MG from 1955 to 1962, providing a simple and fun roadster. The 1500 model featured a 1489 cc engine.
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Back in the 1950s, the Dodge Coronet was the brand's full-size car, starting out the decade as the top-of-the-line option and ending it at the bottom of the model lineup.
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Launched originally as a 1952 model, the Mercury Monterey was a luxury coupe with either a canvas or vinyl covering for the top.
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Form 1957 to 1959 the Studebaker Silver Hawk served up large tail fins and other classic 1950s styling. Studebaker was based in South Bend, Indiana.
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When it hit the market in 1950, the Pontiac Chieftain Catalina Coupe had some innovative equipment, like heaters under the seats, tissue dispensers and a Remington Auto-Home shaver built in.
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The Aston Martin DB4 made a huge splash when it launched in 1958. A DB5 was eventually driven by James Bond.
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Few luxury models from the decade have proven to be as elegant and iconic as the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, a name the automaker used all the way into the middle of the 1960s.
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Launched with the 1952 model, the Hudson Wasp survived the merger with Nash Motors, lasting all the way to the 1956 model year. It was available in a hardtop or convertible.
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Lincoln launched the full-size Capri in 1952 to compete against offerings from Cadillac, Packard and Chrysler, to name a few. It was produced through 1959.
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Italian brand Lancia sold the Aurelia as a sedan, coupe and convertible from 1950 to 1958. The Via Aurelia is a road that leads from Rome to Pisa.
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Offered from the 1953 to 1955 model years, the Sunbeam Alpine was a roadster designed mostly for consumers in North America.
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In the 1950s, the rear window of the Beetle was changed from a split oval to a single. Of course, the first Beetle was produced in the 1930s.
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