1. Chevrolet
   Dodge
2. Chrysler
   GMC

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.

1. Lincoln
   Dodge
2. Ford
   Plymouth

Cited by many as one of the most beautiful cars ever made, the 1955 Ford Thunderbird debuted as a two-seater convertible model.

1. GMC
   Chevrolet
2. Buick
   Oldsmobile

The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is considered one of the most classic and iconic vehicles of the 1950s. It was produced through 1981.

1. Lincoln
   Hummer
2. Ford
   Chevrolet

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.

1. Dodge
   Ram
2. Chrysler
   Jeep

The Chrysler Imperial was highly luxurious. However, it was considered an excessively expensive car at the time.

1. Buick
   GMC
2. Rolls-Royce
   Toyota

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.

1. BMW
   Jaguar
2. Mercedes-Benz
   Cadillac

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.

1. Jeep
   Kaiser
2. Hudson
   International Harvester

Hudson Motor Car Company made the Hornet from 1951 to 1954, using the car for many decisive victories in NASCAR during that period.

1. Mini
   Bentley
2. Triumph
   Jaguar

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.

1. Jaguar
   Austin
2. Kia
   Daewoo

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.

1. DeSoto
   Chevrolet
2. GMC
   Chrysler

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.

1. GMC
   Citroen
2. Toyota
   Datsun

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.

1. Porsche
   Opel
2. Aston Martin
   Land Rover

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.

1. Cadillac
   Pontiac
2. Mopar
   SRT

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.

1. BMW
   Porsche
2. Hyundai
   Toyota

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.

1. International Harvester
   Kaiser
2. Ford
   Nash

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.

1. Ferrari
   Lamborghini
2. Pagani
   Fiat

Made in both short and long wheelbase forms, the 250GT California Spyder was designed by Ferrari for the North American market.

1. Dodge
   Kaiser
2. International Harvester
   GMC

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.

1. Packard
   Dodge
2. Maserati
   Lamborghini

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.

1. Kaiser
   Fiat
2. Yugo
   Edsel

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.

1. International Harvester
   Buick
2. Kaiser
   Cadillac

Kaiser launched the Manhattan in 1951, then gave it a big facelift in 1954, basing the looks partly off the Buick XP-300 concept.

1. International Harvester
   Studebaker
2. Plymouth
   Oldsmobile

While technically launched right after WWII, the Studebaker Starliner previewed some of the swooping, optimistic vehicle designs that dominated the 1950s.

1. Audi
   Porsche
2. Mercedes-Benz
   Lexus

The first SL-Class model, the 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL featured a clean and sleek design, plus those iconic gull-wing doors.

1. Buick
   Jaguar
2. Nissan
   MG

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.

1. Dodge
   Chrysler
2. Chevrolet
   Plymouth

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.

1. Plymouth
   Ford
2. Mercury
   Buick

Launched originally as a 1952 model, the Mercury Monterey was a luxury coupe with either a canvas or vinyl covering for the top.

1. Jeep
   Studebaker
2. DeSoto
   GMC

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.

1. Cadillac
   Pontiac
2. Mercury
   Datsun

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.

1. Toyota
   Cadillac
2. BMW
   Aston Martin

The Aston Martin DB4 made a huge splash when it launched in 1958. A DB5 was eventually driven by James Bond.

1. Bentley
   Studebaker
2. Rolls-Royce
   Volvo

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.

1. Dodge
   Hudson
2. Plymouth
   American Motors

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.

1. Ford
   Lincoln
2. Duesenberg
   Aston Martin

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.

1. Lancia
   Audi
2. Mini
   Triumph

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.

1. BMW
   Peugeot
2. Fiat
   Sunbeam

Offered from the 1953 to 1955 model years, the Sunbeam Alpine was a roadster designed mostly for consumers in North America.

1. Porsche
   Volkswagen
2. Fiat
   Mercury

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.