1950s Chevrolet Cars (1950 – 1959)

by Michael RichComment — Updated October 25, 2023

The 1950s were a landmark decade for Chevrolet. As America prospered in the post-war boom, Chevrolet cemented itself as the country’s top automaker. Chevrolet’s styling and features evolved rapidly during the 1950s to keep up with changing consumer tastes.

1950s Chevrolet

In the early 1950s, Chevrolet maintained a conservative style carried over from the 1940s. Models like the Deluxe and Styleline trims focused on reliability and value. By mid-decade, Chevrolet debuted revolutionary designs. The 1955 lineup sported radically styled bodies with hooded headlights and prominent tailfins.

Chevrolet boldly experimented with colors in the 1950s. Cars came in bright hues like turquoise, yellow, and pink. Two-tone paint jobs paired contrasting colors on the roof and body for a custom look. Interior upholstery matched the exterior paint for a coordinated style. Chevrolet gave customers vibrant colors to suit changing tastes.

Chevrolet also pushed boundaries with performance models. The Corvette debuted in 1953 as America’s first production sports car. The lightweight, two-seat roadster had a fiberglass body and Blue Flame inline-six. The Corvette established the American sports car formula which evolved over generations.

1950s Chevrolet Cars (1950 - 1959) Photo

The 1955 Chevrolet introduced the innovative small block V8. This lightweight, efficient engine design changed performance manufacturing. It enabled powerful, affordable engines in compact cars. Later dubbed the “Mouse Motor”, this V8 powered Chevys for decades. It became one of the most influential automobile engines ever produced.

Concept cars let Chevrolet experiment freely. The 1956 Impala concept had futuristic aviation-inspired styling with gullwing doors and a sleek shape. While not reaching production, it previewed styling cues adopted on 1958s. Concepts gave Chevrolet creative license to push boundaries.

The end of the decade saw Chevrolet reach an iconic design pinnacle. The 1959 models with soaring tailfins and curved windshields embodied the era’s aviation-inspired aesthetic. The Impala and El Camino also appeared, creating new market segments.

Chevrolet adopted the “See the USA in your Chevrolet” slogan in the 1950s. TV and print ads displayed happy families sightseeing in their roomy, reliable Chevys. Chevrolet connected with postwar optimism and prosperity. Its ads promised adventure, freedom, and functionality for everyday buyers.

Here are pictures of Chevrolet models during the 1950s:

1950 Chevrolet Deluxe Styleline

1950 Chevrolet Deluxe Styleline

1950 Chevrolet Styleline

The lower priced Styleline Special series sold well against comparable Fordsthis one (shown) didn’t have fender skirts or chrome accents,the Special and the DeLuxe differed only in trim and interior fittings. Cost: $1,390.00

1950 Chevrolet Styleline

1950 Chevrolet Bel Air

This stylish new Bel Air hardtop was the first major improvement since the forty-eight sit was marketed as “the airiness… of a convertible with the coziness and permanence of an all steel top”. Cost: $1,740.00

1950s Chevrolet

1951 Chevrolet Fleetline

1951 Chevrolet Fleetline

1951 Chevrolet Styleline

1951 Chevrolet Styleline DeLuxe Bel Air

Although outsold by sedans this Styleline hardtop was a solid sellerChevrolet’s came in Styleline or Fleetline (fastback) formand Special or DeLuxe trim packages

Cost: $2,030.0050s cars

Ad for Chevrolet: “America’s most beautiful low priced car”50s autos

1951 Chevrolet Styleline

1952 Chevy Bel Air

Another minor facelift gave the Bel Air a new set of grill teethand some more chrome around the rear fender,optional was the two-tone paint and skirts. Cost: $1,780.00 (base)

1952 Chevy Bel Air convertible

1953 Chevrolet Two-Ten Convertible

The Two-Ten Deluxe was the mid level model with less bright work than the Bel Air but better appointed than the One-Fifty. Cost: $2,090.001950s Chevy

1953 Chevrolet Corvette

Starting as a concept car at Motorama in January of ‘53300 rolled of the assembly line by June, all in Polo White with red interior it had a removable soft top, most of that years crop went to a VIP waiting list Cost: $3,500.00 (approx.)

1950s Corvette - Chevy's first Corvette1953 Chevy Corvette

1953 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible

1953 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible

1953 Chevrolet Bel Air

Not the showiest Chevy anymore the Bel Air was still the bread and butter car, besting it’s lower price sister the Two-Ten in sales, signaling an upscale trend. Cost: $1,885.00

1953 Chevrolet Bel Air50s automobiles

1954 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible

1954 Chevy Corvette

1954 Chevy Corvette

Not much changed since last years very limited production the exterior door handles were removed to make it more European and you could now get plastic side curtains just in case it rained. Cost: $3,525.00

 1954 Corvette 1954 Chevrolet Corvette

1954 Chevrolet Corvette

1954 Chevy Corvette

1955 Chevrolet Nomad Wagon

1955 Chevrolet Nomad Wagon

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air

Chevy was pleased to announce a less boxy and stodgy redesign this convertible came with an all vinyl interior and was considered very sporty for this year

Cost: $2,200

1955 Chevy Bel Air

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe

The new models were lower and longer and did not bear as much chrome as earlier models which were beginning to look a little excessive with brightwork.

Trivia Note: When James Dean wasn’t racing around in a foreign sports car he drove a Chevy.

Cost: $2,065.00

1950s Cars -Chevrolet 1955-59 

1955 Chevrolet Corvette

Corvette got an even cleaner look with the addition of concave body side coves, a first for American car manufacturers it made for some really cool two-toning

Cost: $3,720

1950s classic cars 

1954 Red Chevy Corvette

Even this young man had Corvette fever 1950s Cars -Chevrolet 1955-59 corvette 

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible

1956 Chevrolet 150

1956 Chevrolet 150

1956 Bel Air Sport

1956 Bel Air Sport

1956 Chevrolet 210 Sedan

1956 Chevrolet 210 Sedan

1956 Chevrolet Nomad Wagon

1956 Chevy Station Wagon

1956 Chevrolet Sport Sedan

1956 Chevrolet Sport Sedan with two-tone paint

1956 Chevrolet Corvette

1956 Chevrolet Corvette
50s Chevrolets

1957 Chevrolet 150 Sedan

1957 Chevrolet 150 Sedan

1957 Chevy Bel Air

1957 Chevy Bel Air

When you mention cars of the 1950’s to someone this car is usually the mental image that they get, The ’57 Chevy has been featured in more “B” movies than any other car it deftly portrays the era and the image of young teenage men looking for themselves. Cost: $2,380.00

1950s autos

1957 Chevy “Vette”

Still not selling to the masses with just over 6000 built the Corvette appealed to the sports car enthusiasts, but simply having such a sexy car in its lineup gave Chevrolet a boost in sales

Cost: $3,780.001957 Corvette

1958 Chevrolet Impala

Finally the Impala has arrived, it becomes synonymous with the Chevy brand and will remain a leader with GM for decades this addition to the lineup comes at a time when Chevrolet has captured 30% of the total market. Cost: $2,695

 1950s vintage autos 

1959 Chevrolet Impala

The Impala is firmly in control of the “top spot” in the lineup just as Chevy enjoyed top spot in industry sales with a 28% increase in production however Ford during the 50s was already gaining some ground and would continue to close the gap.

Webmaster Note:  My father had a ’59 Impala convertible V-8 for years and we loved it! Cost: $2,715

 1950s Chevy Impala 

1959 Chevrolet Impala Convertible

1959 Chevrolet Impala Convertible

1959 Chevrolet Impala Convertible

1959 Chevrolet Ad showing the line 1950s classic cars 

1959 Chevrolet Bel Air

1959 Chevrolet Bel Air

1959 Chevy Corvette

The Chevy “vette” was still the only production sports car made in America it was 10 inches longer and had engine options as meaty as 290hp also new were dummy side air scoops and better bumpers

1959 Chevy Corvette 1950s vintage car

1959 Chevy El Camino

1959 Chevy El Camino

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