For most people, the name Cadillac evokes images of the finned, chromed, and gadget-laden "Fabulous Fifties" models. And why not?

The 1959 Cadillac's soaring fins and projectile taillights made it one of the most evocative designs in auto history. Learn about this unique model.

The 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz epitomized the extravagantly styled models of the 1950s. See more pictures of the 1950-1959 Cadillac.

These Caddys were the ultimate expression of America's postwar prosperity and Detroit's high-flying ambition, four-wheeled tributes to the "jet age," new technological marvels both serious and silly, and the promised good life of ultra-modern, convenience-filled homes in safe, spacious new suburban communities.

It was a time when Cadillac ownership conferred instant status as a symbol of wealth and achievement. Elvis Presley owned a Cadillac. So did captains of industry, Hollywood moguls, even war-hero President Dwight Eisenhower.

No other luxury-car brand had this power in the public consciousness: not Lincoln, not Chrysler's Imperial, and certainly not Packard, which fast withered into oblivion after 1958. And though Lincoln and Imperial would mount occasional challenges, neither came close to eclipsing Cadillac's sales or prestige. Quite simply, in the four decades from 1950, Cadillac had no serious competition in the U.S. market.

Of course, Cadillac's success and frequent extravagances in the 1950s had detractors. For these folks, Cadillacs were two tons of wretched excess, the epitome of the "ugly American" and Detroit's "insolent chariots."

A later Federal Reserve chairman might have termed them "irrational exuberance." But all cars reflect the spirit of their times, and Cadillacs were right on target throughout the 1950s. The only thing better might be a "Solid Gold Cadillac," the reward for the heroine in a successful Broadway play and Hollywood movie.

Cadillac developed two-seat fantasy cars in the 1950s, including this 1959 Cadillac La Espada show car.

In an intriguing forecast of far-distant developments, Cadillac displayed several two-seat idea cars in the '50s.

The first was the 1953 Cadillac Le Mans, which looked much like a production 1954 Eldorado on a trimmer, 115-inch wheelbase. That same dimension served the 1954 Cadillac El Camino coupe and 1959 Cadillac La Espada convertible, which previewed 1955 Cadillac production-model styling. A restyled Cadillac LeMans was also shown at the '55 Motorama.

Wildest of all was the 1959 Cadillac Cyclone, a rocketlike fantasy with a 104-inch wheelbase, all-independent suspension, unit construction, and a clear-plastic "bubble" top. The canopy was coated inside with vaporized silver to resist the sun's rays, and slid away as the door was opened. And those doors were electrically operated sliding types, as on modern minivans.

Cyclone was a parting gift from GM design chief Harley Earl, who retired in 1958. His successor was longtime understudy Bill Mitchell, who would return Cadillac to more dignified styling in the '60s.

The futuristic 1959 Cadillac Cyclone show car had a bubble top and doors that slid open electronically.

We'll continue our discussion of the 1950s Cadillacs with more details on 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1953 models on the next page.

The 1950s was exciting era for car manufacturers. America’s post-war designs became sleeker and models like the Ferrari gained popularity overseas. Learn about models from Bentleys and Rolls Royce to the 1950s Jeep models.

The 1952-1955 Bentley R-Type was a revised version of the Bentley Mark VI with greater engine displacement and a longer tail for the standard-body sedan. The series was offered with optional Rolls-Royce/GM Hydra-Matic automatic transmission beginning in 1952, which became instantly more popular than the manual gearbox.

1953 Bentley R-Type Continental coupe.

Styling and mechanical changes paralleled those made to the look-alike Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn. Maximum speed was now over 100 mph but was not that much faster than the Bentley Mark VI.

Pluses of the 1952-1955 Bentley R-Type:

• More luggage space than Mark VI
• Optional automatic-shift convenience
• A Milestone car
  

Minuses of the 1952-1955 Bentley R-Type:

• Standard bodies rot-prone
• Custom body replacement panels unobtainable
• Costly to maintain, acquire, and restore
  

Production of the 1952-1955 Bentley R-Type:
2,320

Specifications of the 1952-1955 Bentley R-Type:
Wheelbase, inches: 120.0
Length, inches: 210.0
Weight, pounds: 4,200
Price, new: NA

Engines for the 1952-1955 Bentley R-Type:

Type	Size	Horsepower	Years
F I-6	4,566 cc (279 cid)	130*	1952-1955

Chevrolet Bel Air

Chevrolet Bel Air

Manufacturer	Chevrolet
Parent company	General Motors
Production	1953-1975 (U.S.) 1953-1981 (Canada)
Class	Full-size
Layout	FR layout

The Chevrolet Bel Air was an automobile series produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors from 1953–75. From 1950–52, hardtops in Chevrolet's premium Deluxe model range were designated with the Bel Air name, but it was not a distinct series of its own. The Bel Air continued in production in Canada through the 1981 model year.

History

1953–1957

First generation

Production	1953-1957
Body style(s)	2-door hardtop 4-door hardtop sedan 2-door station wagon 4-door station wagon 2-door convertible
Engine(s)	235 in³ (3.9l) Blue Flame I6 265 cu in (4.3 L) V8 283 cu in (4.6 L) V8

1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air convertible

1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door coupe

1956 Chevrolet Bel Air sedan

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible

1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Interior

In 1953 Chevrolet renamed its series and the Bel Air name was applied to the premium model range. Two lower series, the 150 and 210, also emerged.

The 1953 Chevrolet was advertised as "Entirely New Through and Through," due to the restyled body panels, front and rear ends. However, essentially these Chevys had the same frame and mechanicals as the 1949-52 cars. The Bel Air series featured a wide chrome strip of molding from the rear fender bulge, to the rear bumper. The inside of this stripe was painted a coordinating color with the outside body color, and "Bel Air" scripts were added inside the strip. Lesser models had no model designation anywhere on the car, only having a Chevy crest on the hood and trunk. Bel Air interiors for 1953 had a massive expanse of chrome across the lower part of the dashboard, along with a de luxe Bel Air steering wheel with full chrome horn ring. Carpeting and full wheel covers rounded out Bel Air standard equipment. For '54, the Bel Air stayed essentially the same, except for a revised grille and taillights. During these years, there were two engine choices, depending on the transmission ordered. Both engines were "Blue Flame" inline six cylinder OHV engines. featuring hydraulic valve lifters and aluminum pistons. The 115 hp (86 kW) engine was standard on stickshift models, with solid lifters and splash plus pressure lubrication. Powerglide cars got a 125 hp (93 kW) version which had hydraulic lifters and full pressure lubrication. '54 cars with stick shift got the 1953 Powerglide engine. During 1953-54, Bel Airs could be ordered in convertible, hardtop coupe, 2- and 4-door sedans, and, for 1954, the Beauville station wagon which featured woodgrain trim around the side windows. Power steering was optional for 1953; 1954 added power brakes, power seat positioner and power front windows.

In 1955, Chevrolets gained a V8 engine option. The new 265 cubic-inch V8 featured a modern, overhead valve high-compression, short stroke design that was so good that it remained in production in various forms, for many decades. The base V8 had a two-barrel carburetor and was rated at 162 horsepower (121 kW), and the "Power Pack" option featured a four-barrel carburetor and other upgrades, yielding 180 brake horsepower (130 kW). Later in the year, a "Super Power Pack" option added high compression and a further 15 brake horsepower (11 kW). Most enthusiasts today associate the Bel Air and the V8 together, even though neither was dependent on the other. That year, Chevrolet's full-size model received new styling that earned it the "Hot One" designation by enthusiasts. Unlike Ford and Plymouth, Chevrolet's styling was considered crisp and clean. Bel Airs came with features found on cars in the lower models ranges plus interior carpet, chrome headliner bands on hardtops, chrome spears on front fenders, chrome window moldings, and full wheel covers. Models were further distinguished by the Bel Air name script in gold lettering.

Engine displacement grew to 283 cubic inches (4,638 cc) in 1957, with the "Super Turbo Fire V8" option producing 283 horsepower (211 kW) with the help of continuous fuel injection. These so-called "fuelie" cars are quite rare, since most Bel Airs were fitted with carburetion.

The '55, '56, and especially '57 Bel Airs are among the most recognizable American cars of all time; well-maintained examples (especially Sport Coupes and convertibles) are highly sought after by enthusiasts. Roomy, fuel-efficient, and with tastefully restrained use of tail fins and chrome, they are seen by many as vastly superior to the oversized and overdecorated full-size models that would roll out of Detroit for the next 20 years. The '55, '56, and '57 Chevrolets are commonly referred to as TriFives.

From 1955–57, production of the two-door Nomad station wagon was assigned to the Bel Air series, although its body and trim were unique to that model. Prior to becoming a regular production model, the Nomad first appeared as a Corvette-based concept vehicle in 1954. Chevrolet has since unveiled two concept cars bearing the Nomad name, most recently in 1999. 1956 saw the introduction of the pillarless four-door model, called Sport Sedan and available in both Bel Air and Two-Ten models.

Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible 1955	Chevrolet Bel Air 1955	1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 4door Sedan	Bel Air headlamp
1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 4 door rear view	Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Door Sedan 1956	1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door hard top	1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 4 door Sedan
Bel Air 57 Headlamp	1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 4 door rear view	1957 Head on	1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air	1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2413 4-Door	1956 Chevrolet Bel Air (police car)