Most Beautiful Cars of the 1950s

Why We Picked It:

In the vibrant automotive landscape of the late 1950s, the 1959 MGA 1600 emerged as a symbol of style, performance, and sheer driving pleasure.

This British roadster, part of MG's renowned MGA series, captured the hearts of enthusiasts with its sleek design and impressive specifications. Under the hood, the 1959 MGA 1500 housed a spirited 1,489-cc inline-four engine, delivering 78 horsepower.

This powerplant and a four-speed manual gearbox provided exhilarating acceleration and precise control. Weighing in at approximately 2,080 pounds, the MGA 1600 boasted a nimble and responsive feel on the road, making it a true driver's car.

The 1959 MGA 1600 has become a sought-after classic in the current market. A testament to its timeless appeal and enduring legacy in classic cars is that collectors and enthusiasts still adore this enduring classic.

Why We Picked It:

When GM launched the Chevrolet Corvette in 1953, Henry Ford II accelerated the creation of Ford's "sports" car to compete with the Corvette in a market dominated by British sports cars.

Luxury was in the Thunderbird's power steering with its adjustable column, power windows and seats, padded dashboard, concave steering wheel for safety, and a convertible variant.

The power came from a 4.8L V8 engine that produced 198 horsepower in the automatic version (Ford-O-Matic) and 193 hp with the manual gearbox, both with three speeds.

One of the most distinctive design elements of the 1955 Thunderbird was the porthole hardtop. This removable top featured circular "porthole" windows on each side, adding a unique and eye-catching element to the car's profile.

The body of the 1955 Thunderbird was characterized by smooth and flowing lines, with carefully sculpted fenders and body contours.

Why We Picked It:

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce is the ultimate expression of Italian style and zeal in the automotive realm. Since its introduction in the late 1950s, this timeless roadster has captivated fans with its stunning design and exciting performance.

With its long, sensual hood, beautiful contours, and signature Alfa Romeo grille, the Giulietta Spider Veloce has classic roadster proportions. The sleek silhouette and cozy cockpit give it an air of timeless sophistication.

The sporty interior displays the designer's attention to detail, and the driver-focused design and the soft convertible top add to the vehicle's allure by allowing for open-air driving.

The Veloce model has a powerful 1.3-liter twin-cam inline-four engine that generates about 90 horsepower. This power level makes for an exhilarating and entertaining ride in concert with the car's low curb weight and agile handling.

Why We Picked It:

Between 1956 and 1959, Albrecht von Goertz created the stunning two-door, two-seater convertible known as the BMW 507 Roadster.

The idea came from Max Hoffman, an importer of the German brand in the United States in the post-war era, with the firm determination to relaunch the brand with a car that could rival the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and compete with locals like the Ford Thunderbird and the Chevrolet Corvette.

It was a robust car because, despite its contained dimensions and having beautiful bodywork sculpted in aluminum, it weighed 2,822 pounds. Its long, sharp nose, voluptuous curves, and abundance of chrome gave it a particular sense of elegance.

The car's proportions were classic roadster, with a long hood that housed the engine and a short rear deck, creating a visually balanced and sporty profile.

A naturally aspirated, aluminum, 3.2-liter OHV V8 engine with two double-barrel Zenith carburetors provided 150 horsepower at the heart of the 507 vehicle.

Why We Picked It:

Introduced in 1954, this iconic sports car embodies a fusion of design and performance that captivates enthusiasts. The Porsche 356 Speedster's design is a masterpiece in its simplicity and purity. Its sleek, low silhouette, curves, and minimalist details make it a timeless symbol of elegance.

The unique chopped windshield and side curtains further emphasize its character. Underneath its captivating exterior, the Porsche 356 Speedster featured a rear-mounted air-cooled 1.6 liter four engine with 70 horsepower. Its lightweight construction and agile handling made it an absolute delight to drive.

The design and styling of the Porsche 356 Speedster laid the foundation for Porsche sports cars such as the 911 and modern-day models like the Boxster and Cayman. As an icon of design, the Speedster's legacy is a testament to the appeal of craftsmanship. Every curve and contour is a testament to its aerodynamic efficiency.

Why We Picked It:

Within the list of the most beautiful cars in history, one can be the Mercedes-Benz 300SL, better known as Alas de Gull. Given the success achieved by the W194 coupés that brought Mercedes-Benz back to racing and dominated many international competitions in 1952, Mercedes Benz decided to create a street version.

This car had the designation "SL," the initial of the Light Sports in Germany, and the 300 for the engine's displacement of 3.0 liters, was equipped with a highly light tubular chassis, a fully independent suspension, and a six-cylinder engine.

The design of the 300SL looked stunning and contributed to its excellent performance as the car's proportions followed the classic sports car formula: a long hood housing the engine and a short rear deck.

Clocking in at 240 horsepower through a four-speed manual gearbox, the 300SL was the fastest production car of its time. This combination of power and lightness was demonstrated in acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in less than nine seconds.

Why We Picked It:

The Chevrolet Corvette, introduced in 1953, forever altered the automotive landscape in the United States. Though it would be considered crude and spartan by today's standards, the first-year Vette marked a sea-change in the way buyers viewed automobiles, inspiring competitors like the Ford Thunderbird and likely leading to the high-horsepower muscle cars that would become commonplace on American roads a decade or so later.

High-performance variants of Chevrolet's famous 235-cubic-inch inline-six cylinder, dubbed Blue Flame Six, were standard equipment in all 1953 Corvettes until the introduction of the Chevy Small Blockthe following year. The Blue Six produced an impressive 150 horsepower.

Due to its innovative use of fiberglass, distinctive front grille, elegant appearance, and low production numbers, the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette became an instant classic, launching a legend among American sports car fans that lives on to this day.

Why We Picked It:

The Aston Martin DB4 Series One, produced from 1958 to 1961, holds a special place in automotive history due to its exceptional styling, design, and performance. This British-Italian masterpiece exuded timeless elegance and grace, featuring a beautifully proportioned body with clean, uncluttered lines.

It was designed by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, renowned for its Superleggera construction technique, which used lightweight aluminum panels over a tubular steel frame. The car was also aerodynamic, with a drag coefficient of just 0.32.

The DB4 was powered by a 3.7-liter six-cylinder engine that produced 240 horsepower. Its powertrain made it one of the fastest cars of its time and could reach a top speed of 145 mph. It also featured an independent front suspension and a live rear axle, resulting in a balanced and sporty handling experience

Why We Picked It:

Only four units of the Maserati A6GCS/53 were manufactured, a design masterpiece signed by Pininfarina that raised the throne of Maserati, at the highest point of the coachbuilder's relations with Ferrari, which led to some discomfort and some disagreement.

Part of a mechanized chassis that was for sale at the Maserati dealer in Rome, owned by Guglielmo Dei, "Mimmo" Dei, who commissioned Pininfarina to carry out the bodywork, making it one of the most beautiful cars of all time.

Pininfarina created a distinct design with brand traits for the Maserati chassis. The tubular chassis is derived from the 1940 A6GCS with improvements and is powered by an aluminum-alloy six-cylinder in-line engine churning out 170 horsepower.

The Maserati A6GCS/53 Berlinetta's styling and design were special due to their combination of aerodynamic elegance, distinctive details, race-inspired heritage, and handcrafted excellence.

Why We Picked It:

Ferrari's famous Berlinetta series began with this model. These automobiles were made for trips to the track and victories in the competition.

The Ferrari 250 Europa Scaglietti Berlinetta is an absolute work of art in design. The renowned Pininfarina studio designed its aerodynamic and stylish body. It has an instantly recognizable profile because of its tall hood, chiseled fenders, and trademark triple louvers on the trunk lid. The classic egg-crate grille and shiny chrome details add to its allure.

The Berlinetta was equipped with a 3.0-liter V12 engine that generated around 240 horsepower and was paired with a four-speed manual transmission. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in slightly over six seconds and hit a top speed of about 150 mph. The Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta's timeless beauty and exhilarating performance made it an icon among collectors and vintage sports car fans.