Part 2: How Many of These Rustbucket Cars Can You Name?
Written by Dan Henry Trivia Expert
Last updated · 12 min play time
These driving machines were neglected over the decades, but an observant eye will still see the classic underneath the rust, dust and patina. Only true car experts will be able to name every car on this list of 1950s rustbuckets.
Quiz written by
Dan Henry1950 Rustbuckets Pt. 2 Quiz Questions
30 Questions · 100.2K Plays · 3 Comments
Question 1
Even in this utility vehicle's decrepit state, it's hard to mistake that iconic grill from anything else - even if nature has claimed it as it's own.
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AFord F-150
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BDodge Ram
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CWillys-Overland Jeepster
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DChevy El Camino
Willys-Overland Jeepster
Not quite a Jeep, but not yet totally trash, these are the remnants of a Willys-Overland Jeepster, manufactured circa 1950.
Question 2
We're not giving you too many hints on this one - Let's just say it's one of the "11 window" versions.
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ADodge Caravan
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BFiat 500
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CVolkswagen Bus
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DChrysler Town & Country
Volkswagen Bus
This VW Bus looks like it sustained some damage during the Summer of Love that may not ever have been repaired. The car was officially known as the Volkswagen Type 2.
Question 3
1955 was a boom year for car sales, with nearly 7.5 million cars sold as the post-WWII baby boom hit a peak. One was this two-door hardtop, complete with four VentiPorts on each side.
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AChrysler Newport
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BPontiac Bonneville
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CDodge Dart
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DBuick Roadmaster
Buick Roadmaster
There's no motor, transmission or axles on this old '55 Buick Roadmaster, but probably some free snow if you want it!
Question 4
This 1956 station wagon has been left with quite the motley paint job after what was likely years or decades sitting out in the snow. Still, the chrome work and side VentiPorts appear to be in remarkably good shape.
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AOldsmobile Cutlass
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BStudebaker Lark
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CHudson Hornet
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DBuick Special
Buick Special
The three VentiPorts on the passenger side indicate the V-6 engine the was originally under the hood. This is a Buick Special.
Question 5
Powered by a Rocket V8 made famous in one of the first ever rock and roll tunes, this model was among the hottest of its day. For just $2,750, this patinated '55 was offered for sale in early 2018.
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ADeSoto Firedome
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BFord Galaxie
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COldsmobile 88
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DHudson Hornet
Oldsmobile 88
One of the better-looking cars on this list, this Olds 88 is in running condition according to its Washington-based seller.
Question 6
The massive, swooping tailfins tell you this was a 1959. The trademark split grill and Wide Track body are what you need to identify to know the make and model.
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AMercury Montclair
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BPontiac Bonneville
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CChrysler Newport
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DNash American
Pontiac Bonneville
Another GM classic, this Pontiac Bonneville was made in just its second year of production.
Question 7
This 1955 model has its share of scratches and rust, but the exterior looks to be in decent shape. The only problem is that this "performance" model is missing both the 300 horsepower 6.0 liter V8 engine and transmission.
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AFord Thunderbird
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BDeSoto Custom
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CBuick Century
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DDodge Charger
Buick Century
This gutted sedan is a 1955 Buick Century. 1958 was the last year of production for the model until 1969. It hasn't quite been around for 100 years, though!
Question 8
No engine. No hood. No title. No problem? This 1957 was offered up for $5,000 even though the very frame of the car is rusted out. It was the top of the line offering from its manufacturer back in the day.
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ACadillac de Ville
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BHudson Hornet
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COldsmobile 98
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DStudebaker Avanti
Oldsmobile 98
This 1957 Oldsmobile 98 would seem to be beyond hope for all but the most devoted buyer.
Question 9
Once a proud model at the top of this marque's offerings, this 1956 has had a combination of time and the elements weather the car. The name became dated in the 1960s, and the car was phased out in 1966-67.
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AStudebaker Dictator
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BFord Edsel
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CChevrolet Corvair
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DPontiac Star Chief
Pontiac Star Chief
This Pontiac Star Chief was the top trim package on the popular Pontiac Chieftain.
Question 10
This 1955 model was the top-end full-sized offering from the manufacturer that year. While it's covered in rust, at least all of the body is there, making this one a good bet for restoration.
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AFord Fairlane
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BDeSoto Adventurer
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CChevy Bel Air
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DBuick Skylark
Ford Fairlane
Ford's top-end full sized offering from 1955-1958, this is a '55 Fairlane - the first year of production.
Question 11
This short-lived model was only produced from 1954-1958, and was positioned at the bottom of its manufacturer's lineup. This one is a '58, which means it could contain the first ever Big Block V8 offered by its marque.
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APackard President
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BBuick Wildcat
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CChevrolet Delray
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DMercury Marauder
Chevrolet Delray
The Chevy Delray is one of the great classic car "bang for your buck" values, with restored examples in good condition selling for only $10-15,000.
Question 12
Another once proud model here that's been relegated to "parts car" status. This rare model was only produced in 1957, and came standard with a massive 375 horsepower engine.
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ABuick Invicta
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BCadillac Eldorado
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CChrysler 300C
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DBuick Century GNX
Chrysler 300C
Part of Chrysler's "letter series", this '57 300C was the third year of eleven "letter cars". It was known as the Lancia Thema in mainland Europe.
Question 13
Among the nicest cars on this list, this 1954 model still has some work to be done as far as restoration goes. Adjusted for inflation, the asking price of $20,000 probably makes this model quite a bargain.
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AImperial 300K
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BPackard President
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CLincoln Mark I
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DCadillac Eldorado
Cadillac Eldorado
The pinnacle of 1950s luxury, this is a 1954 Cadillac Eldorado - made in just the third of 50 total years of production.
Question 14
Another former luxury model, this 1951 car was once among the most opulent cars money could buy. After decades of neglect, would you restore this former beauty?
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ALincoln Continental
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BPackard Patrician
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CHudson Hornet
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DImperial LeBaron
Packard Patrician
Restored examples of this model can fetch the high five and low six figures, making this Packard Patrician 400 an attractive restoration option.
Question 15
Complete with not one, but TWO hood ornaments, this uniquely styled model was made in its company's dying days. Today this rusted beauty peers out at us from a grassy field somewhere, having long outlasted its parent company.
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AStudebaker Champion
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BNash American
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CPackard President
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DDeSoto Firedome
Studebaker Champion
True car enthusiasts knew this one quickly from its "European" styling. It's a late '50s Studebaker Champion.
Question 16
The marketing campaign for these revolutionary models said, "Suddenly, it's 1960!" This particular model was buried in a time capsule in 1957 and unearthed in 2007. Unfortunately, the time capsule did not adequately shield the car from the elements.
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AChevrolet Biscayne
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BPlymouth Belvedere
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CHudson Hornet
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DPontiac Bonneville
Plymouth Belvedere
This '57 Plymouth Belvedere was buried in Tulsa, OK, to celebrate 50 years of Oklahoma statehood.
Question 17
This family-friendly 1958 car might be better called a "dustbucket". After spending 1955-1957 as a standalone model, this station wagon marque became attached to other models in the lineup.
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AFord Galaxie 500
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BStudebaker Champion
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CPontiac Safari
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DMercury Ranchero Special
Pontiac Safari
They don't make 'em like this anymore. This 1958 Pontiac Safari was just another in a long line of Safaris produced by Pontiac until 1989.
Question 18
Very few things scream "1950s" like a two-door wagon like the model offered here. This 1959 model isn't the prettiest right now, but a little TLC will be sure to restore what was once America's cheapest new car.
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AStudebaker Champion
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BChevrolet Delray
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CAMC Rambler
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DFord Pinto
AMC Rambler
The AMC Rambler American was introduced in 1958 for the low, low price of $1,789 - just $15,175 in today's money.
Question 19
There just may be more rust than car in this model's case. This particular 1957 car ended up in South Africa and has some slight cosmetic differences from the American version, making this one doubly tough.
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ALincoln Zephyr
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BFord Thunderbird
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CKaiser-Frazer Manahattan
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DChrysler Saratoga
Chrysler Saratoga
This car is named after a city in New York, and was produced from 1939-1952 and then again from 1957-1960.
Question 20
Last but not least, this stationary station wagon is far from the sexiest car on this list, but found a buyer in the $2,000 range early in 2018. Come on, how many cars have triple tail lights? Not many is the answer.
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AKaiser-Frazer Deluxe
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BOldsmobile Jetfire
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CDeSoto Shopper
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DBuick Skylark
DeSoto Shopper
This DeSoto Shopper Wagon is definitely cooler than a minivan, and worth a shot at restoration.
Question 21
This luxury car was made a separate make in 1955, and this 1959 model was the last of the generation that auto critics consider the brand's classic period.
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AStudebaker Avanti
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BCadillac Series 70
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CLincoln Mark I
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DImperial Crown
Imperial Crown
Produced as a separate marque from 1955-1975, this is the Imperial Crown.
Question 22
One of the most obscure models on this list, this particular car sat in a barn for over 30 years, resulting in its current state. This spartan model is a 1953, which was the second to last year it was produced.
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ADeSoto Adventurer
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BChevrolet 150
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CFord Mainline
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DKaiser Henry J
Kaiser Henry J
The car so cheap that its trunk had no exterior opening, this is a 1953 Kaiser Henry J. It is named after its company chairman, Henry J. Kaiser.
Question 23
This sorry 1955 model was nearly sold into scrap metal before an intrepid collector quickly bought it. Back in the day, though, this was the top-end model of its marque.
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AChevrolet Nomad
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BDodge Royal Lancer
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COldsmobile Starfire
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DKaiser-Frazer Manhattan
Dodge Royal Lancer
The Dodge Royal was produced from 1954-1959, and was the second most luxurious model (behind the Custom Royal) in Dodge's 1955 lineup.
Question 24
1959 saw a host of new models introduced to the market, including this very car. This car, called "the banker's hot rod", had "delta fins" on the rear, a styling element unique to the model.
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APackard President
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BBuick Invicta
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CPontiac Safari
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DCadillac Eldorado
Buick Invicta
The 1960 Buick Invicta, the next year's model, was also popular among heroin smugglers due to its many hidden compartments, according to the 1969 book 'The French Connection'.
Question 25
This 1952 convertible sports a V8 hemi under the hood - if you can get it running. With a relative minimum of rust, we bet there's still a lot of fun to be had with this formerly top-end model.
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AFord Galaxie 500
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BHudson Hornet
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CDeSoto Firedome
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DOldsmobile Jetfire
DeSoto Firedome
At least this car far outlasted its marque, which folded in the 1961 model year. This is a DeSoto Firedome.
Question 26
This proud post-war 1950 model has seen better days, but hopefully is awaiting some restoration. Assembled in Highland Park, Michigan, it was discontinued after the 1950 model year.
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ADeSoto Custom
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BBuick Invicta
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CPlymouth De Luxe
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DMercury Eight
Plymouth De Luxe
One of the first models Chrysler made after the war, this is a Plymouth De Luxe. It was offered in two trim levels, the De Luxe and the top-of-the-line Special De Luxe.
Question 27
This was the top-of-the-line car in 1956 for this marque. Aggressively styled and with only a minimum amount of rust, I'd be willing to bet this car's best days are still ahead of it.
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ADeSoto Firedome
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BImperial Custom
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COldsmobile 442
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DMercury Montclair
Mercury Montclair
This 1956 Mercury Montclair was offered for sale in Michigan but with Colorado plates, which may help to explain the relative lack of rust.
Question 28
Big, luxurious and fast - in 1953, this car was the epitome of those qualities. Hopefully that two-tone red and white paint job wasn't done to conceal rust - otherwise this model's actually in decent shape.
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ALincoln Capri
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BCadillac Series 62
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CPackard President
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DOldsmobile Cutlass
Lincoln Capri
This coupe is a Lincoln Capri, Lincoln's top end model from 1952-1959. It is named after an Italian island in the Gulf of Naples.
Question 29
This roadster has its headlights so close together that they might as well be the same light. Designed by venerable Italian designer Pinin Farina, this 1952 was the first year produced following the remodel.
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AAustin-Healey
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BNash-Healey
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CMuntz Jet
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DTucker Torpedo
Nash-Healey
America's first post-war sports car was definitely not its prettiest. This is the Nash-Healey.
Question 30
We did say these would get harder, right? Don't call this a "pickup truck" - this utility coupe from 1951 was custom built... and then abandoned.
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ADodge Ram
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BDeSoto Shopper
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CChevy CK1500
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DMercury Eight
Mercury Eight
This vehicle was listed as a '51 Mercury "Ranchero" by its seller in Minnesota in early 2018. Originally it was a Mercury Eight.
Comments (3)
We want to hear your feedback! Share your scores and discuss the quiz, but keep it civil.
Most were fairly easy to answer!!!
Great quiz, however, two cars were incorrect. Pictured, was not a ‘58 Buick but a 54 or 55. Also, pictured was a 59 Buick not a ‘60.
Most were fairly easy, but some were pretty hard.