Most Iconic Cars of the 1950s
Written by Dan Henry Trivia Expert
Last updated · 10 min play time
In the first part of this two-part series, we've picked 30 of the most iconic, beautiful and revolutionary cars from the 1950s.
In the first part of this two-part series, we've picked 30 of the most iconic, beautiful and revolutionary cars from the 1950s. America's passion for the automobile exploded into an all-out love affair during the 1950s, with automobile culture entering the mainstream. The Interstate Highway Act increased appetites for cars that not only looked good, but drove fast. How well do you know the defining cars of this era?
Quiz written by
Dan HenryIconic Cars of the 1950s Quiz Questions
30 Questions · 284.1K Plays · 1 Comment
Question 1
This model was redesigned for 1955 and sported a Ferrari-inspired grille, optional PowerGlide automatic transmission, and a V8 engine cranking up to 180 horsepower.
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AHudson Commodore
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BPontiac Bonneville
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CChevrolet Bel Air
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DCadillac Coupe de Ville
Chevrolet Bel Air
The Chevrolet Bel Air was introduced in 1950 and this was the second generation. It was produced until 1981.
Question 2
Carburetors were a necessary engine component on cars of this era - except on this model, which was the first mass-produced engine to introduce now-standard electronic fuel injection on a few models in 1957.
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ACadillac Coupe de Ville
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BStudebaker Commander
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CAMC Rambler Rebel
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DLincoln Capri
AMC Rambler Rebel
The AMC Rambler Rebel offered fuel injection as an option, but due to production problems, almost all Rambler Rebels were equipped with four-barrel carburetors.
Question 3
This sporty offering was produced in response to Chevy's introduction of the Corvette two years earlier. This model spawned the "personal luxury car" niche upon introduction in 1955.
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AFord Thunderbird
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BOldsmobile 98
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CBuick Wildcat
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DPontiac Grand Prix
Ford Thunderbird
The Ford Thunderbird differentiated itself from domestic and international rivals by a greater focus on luxury and comfort, rather than speed.
Question 4
No list of 1950s cars is complete without this classic. It may seem surprising, but this car was initially unpopular, with less than 1,000 sold in 1953 and 1955. The introduction of a 4.3 L small-block V8 engine in 1955 significantly boosted sales.
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AFord Mustang
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BPontiac GTO
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CChevrolet Corvette
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DBuick Riviera
Chevrolet Corvette
Sales of the first-generation Corvette reached 10,000 by 1960 and have never looked back since.
Question 5
This luxury model was spun off to become a separate marque in 1955. The defining "Forward Look" styling included gunsight tail-lights.
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ATucker
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BPackard
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CImperial
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DEdsel
Imperial
Too classy to be a Chrysler, the Imperial enjoyed a 15 year run as a separate marque before Chrysler badging returned in 1970.
Question 6
Giant tailfins. Bullet tail lights. Beauty panels. The styling of this iconic 1959 model screams '50s, but the amenities inside this luxury model were impressive even by modern standards.
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ACadillac Coupe de Ville
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BBuick Electra
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CPontiac Bonneville
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DChrysler 300
Cadillac Coupe de Ville
The iconic de Ville put out a whopping 325 horsepower, making it one of the most luxurious and powerful cars on the road.
Question 7
This elegant 1954 model is still the widest ever American production car. Boasting one of the only automotive air conditioning units of its day, good luck parking one - it's nearly 83" wide.
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ALincoln Continental Mark II
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BChrysler Crown Imperial
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CBuick Regal
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DPontiac Bonneville
Chrysler Crown Imperial
The Chrysler Imperial was spun off into its own separate marque in 1955. For much of its run, it was Chrysler's top-of-the-line vehicle.
Question 8
What was this car's name in a series of Disney movies?
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AHerbie
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BFred
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CJimmy
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DHarold
Herbie
The Volkswagen Beetle was featured in a series of live-action Disney films. The lovable compact was called 'Herbie'.
Question 9
Let's show some foreign cars some love. This iconic roadster redefined luxury and performance on introduction as a street-legal model in 1954. With "gullwing" doors allowing a stylish entrance, this 2-seater could reach up to a whopping 150 mph.
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AAston Martin DB4GT
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BIso Grifo GL
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CMercedes-Benz 300 SL
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DJaguar E-Type
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL was first a racing car, which explains both its high performance as well as its quirks. It was voted the "sports car of the century" in 1999.
Question 10
What is there to say that hasn't been said about this revolutionary car? Introduced in 1955, it was the first vehicle with disc brakes and its suspension was self-leveling. It was named the most beautiful car of all time by 'Classic & Sports Car' magazine.
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ACitroรซn DS
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BBMW Isetta
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CRenault 4CV
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DVW Thing
Citroรซn DS
While sold from 1956-1972 in the US, the DS never really caught on with American customers. It sold more than 1.3 million units in France, though.
Question 11
This 1953 model defined luxury and sat for years at the top of GM's luxury lineup. Iconic styling cues include the front Dagmar bumpers, borrowed from the 1951 Le Sabre concept car. It cost a whopping $7,750 brand new.
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ACadillac Eldorado
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BBuick Roadmaster
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CChrysler Imperial
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DOldsmobile 98
Cadillac Eldorado
The Cadillac Eldorado (technically the Series 62 Eldorado) became more popular beginning in 1954, when it shared a body with other Caddys.
Question 12
While some buyers could afford the other luxurious options on this list, others on a budget would have to spring for "bubble cars" like this. This European mite sold over 160,000 units despite its one-cylinder engine, and record-narrowest "rear" of the car - at a ridiculous 20.5" wide.
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ABond Bug
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BIsetta
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CIso Grifo
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DPeel P50
Isetta
The Isetta was produced under license in seven countries, most notably in Germany by BMW. In 1955, it could travel 78 miles on a single gallon of gas.
Question 13
Possibly the most costly automaker mistake of all time, this 1957 - 1960 blunder cost the manufacturer over $250 million due to the model's unpopularity.
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ABuick Electra
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BDodge Nova
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CChevrolet Corvair
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DFord Edsel
Ford Edsel
The Edsel was meant to slot in price between Ford and Mercury. Consumers were turned off by the price and "horsecollar" styling. Since then, it's pretty much just been the butt of gearheads' jokes.
Question 14
In 1957, this car turned heads with the first-ever retractable hardtop in a production automobile. The impressive system featured seven motors and 510 feet of wiring just for the hardtop.
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AMercury Montclair
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BStudebaker Commander
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CPlymouth Valiant
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DFord Fairlane 500 Skyliner
Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner
Ford's Skyliner top took up almost all the trunk space when folded down, but the car attracted more publicity than sales and was only produced from 1957-1959.
Question 15
This V12 monster was among the most opulent and expensive cars of the 1950s, at an incredible $16,800 new. It helped to cement the reputation of a brand which has only appreciated with time.
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ALamborghini Miura
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BFerrari 410 Superamerica
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CBMW 503
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DMaserati A6
Ferrari 410 Superamerica
The Ferrari 410 Superamerica was produced from 1955-59, and just 35 were made. It could hit 360 horsepower.
Question 16
This first production car from its iconic manufacturer set a high standard upon introduction in 1948. Shown here is the "A" model, produced from 1955-1959.
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APorsche 356
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BFerrari America
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CBMW 501
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DLamborghini Miura
Porsche 356
The Porsche 356 was produced from 1948-65, and was succeeded by the iconic 911. Of the original 76,000 units produces, roughly half survive to this day.
Question 17
Notable for its unique two-tone paint pattern, this model was a stand-alone marque for 1956 as its parent automaker's fortunes dwindled. Before that, it was the luxury marque's lowest-priced offering from 1953-1956.
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ANash Metropolitan
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BHudson Commodore
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CPackard Clipper
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DStudebaker 400
Packard Clipper
Originally introduced just 8 months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, World War II disrupted production of this car. Production of the Packard Clipper ceased in 1957 after a merger with Studebaker.
Question 18
This legendary truck line has been the best-selling vehicle in America since 1981 and is still in production today. Shown here is a second generation model, introduced in 1953 and bearing the same model-numbering conventions still in place today.
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ADodge Ram
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BFord F-Series
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CGMC C/K
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DChevrolet Silverado
Ford F-Series
The Ford F-Series has sold an unfathomable 27 million trucks since the late 1940s. The F-150 is its most popular, now in its thirteenth generation.
Question 19
Among the first four-door hardtop vehicles ever produced, the second-generation model shown here had a tough act to follow - the model's first generation was among the first production cars capable reaching 100 mph.
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ABuick Century Riviera
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BJaguar E-Type
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COldsmobile 98 Holiday
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DStudebaker Avanti
Buick Century Riviera
The 4-door Buick Century Riviera followed up on the innovative first-generation Century, which were the first production Buicks capable of reaching 100 mph.
Question 20
This model became among the first post-war cars to sell one million units. Its no-nonsense interior paved the way for the booming "economy car" segment, which exploded in the late 1950s.
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ARenault 4CV
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BPeugeot 203
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CVolkswagen Type 2
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DNash Metropolitan
Renault 4CV
The 4CV was succeeded in 1956 by the Dauphine, which sold over 2 million units from 1956-1967. In French, this car is known as the "quatre chevaux".
Question 21
1957 examples of this full-sized offering boasted new "Forward Look" styling, as well as a new 325 horsepower engine mated to an automatic three-speed transmission.
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AChrysler New Yorker
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BPontiac Bonneville
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CPlymouth Fury
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DBuick Regal
Chrysler New Yorker
The New Yorker helped cement Chrysler's post-war reputation as a builder of luxury vehicles. It was produced until 1996.
Question 22
The German public nicknamed this elegant model the "Baroque Angel" upon its introduction in 1952. It had a luxurious interior, but the archaic V6 engine took 27 seconds to power the car to 60 mph.
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ABMW 501
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BBugatti Type 101
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CMercedes-Benz 220
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DAudi 100
BMW 501
Styling cues from the 501 are still seen in modern BMWs, especially the dual grille slots. This was the first BMW car sold after World War II and the first to have been built in Bavaria.
Question 23
Iconic styling elements on this 1949-1953 model included VentiPorts and Sweepspear chrome, which were paired with the pre-war straight-eight engine under the hood.
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APontiac Bonneville
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BDodge Custom Royal
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CBuick Roadmaster
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DChrysler New Yorker
Buick Roadmaster
The Buick Roadmaster's purely cosmetic VentiPorts and Sweepspear chrome have provided styling cues for 70 years of Buicks.
Question 24
This top-of-the-line convertible debuted as a special trimline in 1954. Due to the model's popularity, the nameplate was extended to all of this manufacturer's top-end models in 1957.
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AOldsmobile Starfire
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BPlymouth Valiant
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CMercury Grand Marquis
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DFord Fairlane
Oldsmobile Starfire
The Starfire began as a trimline of the 98 before becoming its own model in 1960. From 1961-1965 it was the most expensive model produced by Oldsmobile.
Question 25
This oddball Communist car was the first large-scale model ever made completely of recycled plastic material. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, this slow, cramped car became a symbol of Communist East Germany. It sold over 3,000,000 units before ending production in 1991.
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AIsetta
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BSkoda
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CYugo
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DTrabant
Trabant
The Trabant, officially known as the Trabant P50, began production in 1957. It was often known as "a spark plug with a roof". Its name comes from the German word meaning "satellite" or "companion".
Question 26
Introduced in 1956, this model defined American luxury and was the most expensive American car for sale at the time. The "Mark II" kept its notable spare tire hump in the trunk, a holdover from pre-war styling cues.
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ABuick Riviera
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BHudson Commodore
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CCadillac Sixty Special
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DLincoln Continental
Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental cost around $10,000, nearly the same as a mid-'50s Rolls-Royce. This model is still being produced today.
Question 27
Introduced in 1951, this model found equal success on road and track, winning a majority of all NASCAR races from 1952-1954. Perhaps most impressive about this feat was the car's luxurious credentials.
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AChevrolet Impala
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BHudson Hornet
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CFord Mustang
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DCadillac Sixty Special
Hudson Hornet
The Hudson Hornet boasted a 5.0 L six-cylinder engine and was capable of reaching 112 mph. During 1952, Marshall Teague raced in a Hornet and finished the 1952 AAA season with a 1000-point lead over his closest rival, winning 12 of the 13 scheduled events.
Question 28
Another iconic speedster, this two-seater was the first production car capable of cracking 200 km/h (124 mph). It remained in production from 1948-1954.
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AShelby Cobra
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BMercedes SS 100
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CFiat Leon
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DJaguar XK120
Jaguar XK120
The Jaguar XK120 retained the production car speed record until 1955, when it was broken by the Mercedes 300SL. It was Jaguar's first sports car since the SS 100 which ceased production in 1940.
Question 29
Admiration for this "Rocket" V8-powered full-size car spawned arguably the first-ever rock and roll song in 1951. The nameplate enjoyed a long run, with the last production model of the tenth generation rolling off the line in 1999.
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AChrysler Imperial
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BOldsmobile 88
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CPontiac Bonneville
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DBuick Century
Oldsmobile 88
The "Rocket 88" was one of the best-performing cars of the early '50s, and was the first "King of NASCAR" from 1949-1952. It inspired the Ike Turner song "Rocket 88" in 1951.
Question 30
For many years, this model was the most powerful American car. This series of high-performing personal luxury cars were the predecessors of muscle cars. Production began in 1955, and by 1958 produced up to 390 horsepower in a fuel-injected version.
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APontiac Bonneville
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BChevy Impala
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CCadillac Sixty Special
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DChrysler 300
Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 letter series kept upping the ante, with successively bigger and more powerful engines each model year from 1955-1959.
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loved it - My Dad was a mechanic for the Chysler Corporation -