The 1950s saw the automobile come of age, with some of the most imaginative developments in car design asserting a new confidence in the car as an accessible symbol of freedom. One of the great eras of automobile production, the '50s saw cars such as the Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Thunderbird, and Jaguar XK120 hit the roads, as well as the more glamorous MGA, Mercedes 190SL, and the Triumph TR3. Hot Cars of the '50s celebrates the best cars of the decade, providing a detailed look at more than sixty of the greatest and most stylish automobiles from around the world. All the great names are covered, including Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Fiat, Jaguar, MG, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Rolls-Royce. Illustrated with specially commissioned photography, each car is examined from all angles in close-up detail. Specifications are provided for each machine, including performance statistics, engine type, transmission, special features, running gear, and dimensions. The book also takes a close look under the hood, examining the chassis and suspension as well as the design of the engine. Finally, the book tracks the production milestones of each car and marks refinements and developments in styling and performance. Packed with information and great photos, this volume is a must for all lovers of the classic and stylish machines of the 1950s. Book jacket.

This book describes American cars that came of age in the 1950s, such as the Cadillac Series 62, the Chevrolet Bel Air, the Chevrolet Corvette, the Ford Fairlane, the Ford Thunderbird, and others.

Enjoy a colorful look back at the cars and the culture that made the '50s memorable. All the popular American makes, from AMC to Willys, pass in review once again in more than 1600 photos.

While automobiles serve as its hub, Cars of the Fabulous '50s is more than a mere "car book." Instead, it's a spirited romp through a period that's filled with fond memories for those who lived it. Classic 1950s cars like the Lincoln Cosmopolitan, Cadillac Coupe de Ville, Plymouth Belvedere, Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Montclar, Chevy Bel Air, and the original Corvette exemplified the spirit of those times: They were brawny and proud, hopeful and boastful, strong and special. Practically every page of this handsome leather-bound book is overflowing with brilliant chrome, magnificent tail fins, and vibrant paint jobs. You'll find: • Hundreds of incredible photos of vintage cars • Year-by-year summaries of each major manufacturer from the 1950s, including Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Packard, Studebaker, Hudson, Nash, AMC, Crosley, and Kaiser-Willys • Lively original ads and promotional illustrations • Informative essays about what was happening with cars and the culture at large during every year in the 1950s • Fascinating trivia, anecdotes, and quotes relating to 1950s cars Whether you're a diehard gearhead or you're simply interested in American history, Cars of the Fabulous '50s is a book that you'll return to again and again.