American Car Spotters Guide - 1950

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American Car Spotters Guide - 1950


The 'Fifties were to bring even more drastic changes. America, as never before, moved out on the open road. New highway systems were conceived and constructed, bringing main cities and all states nearer to one another - and Americans, thanks to the freedom the automobile provided, began to discover their own country. Vacation trips became longer in actual distances covered and that meant more time spent in the family car. Interior comfort came to be of prime importance.
 
Due to general speed limits, active driving was never a major requirement, and underneath the then new sheet metal was a suspension system of the Nineteen-Thirties, with live-axle leaf-spring rear suspension, soft springing and damping. Seats didn't need to provide lateral support for fast cornering speeds since no one ever thought of cornering rapidly. They had, however, to be extremely comfortable.

The 'Fifties witnessed a further revolution: that of interior design. If the buyer could afford it, all effort other than directing and stopping the car could be handled automatically. Electric power windows moved silently up and down at the touch of a button, six-way power seats could be adjusted for height, rake and reach automatically, and the inside temperature was cool during the hottest, most humid weather conditions if an air-conditioning unit was fitted.
 
Big, new V8 engines with an excess of power and torque made it all possible, and power steering and braking further reduced physical effort, encapsulating driver and occupants in a silent, smoothly curved envelope body. At moderate speeds the American cars of the Fifties were predestined for day-long journeys on smooth roads. Since technical development concerned itself more with comfort and straight-line acceleration from traffic lights-and also with a good acceleration potential when feeding onto a divided highway-a large portion of time and budgeted money could be spent on styling.

With the main exceptions of Buick and Cadillac most United States auto makers continued production of their 1949 models, albeit with distinguishable detail changes. This was hardly surprising since for the 1949 model year they had introduced their first real post-war designs. There was as a consequence little or no reason for extensive changes, especially as the American public continued trading their pre-war cars in for new ones. Buick and Cadillac, as well as Oldsmobile for its 98 Series, had entirely new Fisher bodywork. But Detroit styling departments were about to come into their own in the coming years. The 1950's was the decade of the G.M. 'Motoramas', Bill Mitchell having taken over the helm of G.M. styling from Harley Earl. Trend-setting dream cars such as Chevrolet's Corvette made their appearances in these wandering car shows combined with staged song dance numbers, testing public opinion throughout the United States.

The Ford styling section also created a line of future-orientated 'one-off special bodies, while Chrysler left the realization of their dream-car schemes to Ghia, in Turin. During January, 1950, a little two-seater toured the country to test public reaction to an interesting design. It was Nash Motors' NXI (for Nash Experimental International). The car met with success and was to become the prototype for the Austin A powered Metropolitan of 1954, sharing a fender-less envelope body and one-piece curved wind shield with its larger relations from Kenosha.

The Nash Rambler



Nash pioneered another new car type in 1950, the compact Rambler, on a 100-inch (254 cm) wheelbase. Apart from the Crossley, it was America's first post-war compact car and unique in that it was initially offered as a convertible sedan, i.e. with fixed side-window frames. Other manufacturers, e.g. Chevrolet, Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge and Pontiac, introduced additional body styles, particularly hardtops, and automatic transmission became available on more models. Sales of new cars in 1950 were over 1½-million units up on the previous year and totalled 6,665,863. This figure was to be exceeded only once during the decade, in 1955, when almost eight million were sold. The Korea hostilities, which started in June 1950, meant that the automotive industry became involved in defence production yet again. Most car and truck manuufacturers were awarded contracts for military hardware.

The 1950 Buick Super had a notably ugly radiator grill resembling chrome-plated-dragon's teeth. The Buick was also an interesting car from the point of view of the wings: although they were an integral part of the body and incorporated the headlamps, they were sufficiently pronounced to be regarded neither as a separate wing or a fully integral one. By 1950 the American motor-car-fashion cult was getting firmly into its stride, and at about the same time the label syndrome occurred. This basically was the result of the manufacturer's efforts to ensure that everyone was aware that it was their product that they were looking at, and the identity of the model.

Although manufacturers had always had the name of their car somewhere in a fairly obvious position such as on the radiator or the hub caps, the streamlining and the complete enclosure of the car, often with the loss of any identifying shape, meant that they were now unrecognisable without a label. Door handles had become push-button types; headlamps were incorporated into the body, the radiator was lost and one pressed-steel wheel looked much like another. Hence it became necessary to stylise the car with the maker's labels. These were supplemented by various other embellishments, usually of chrome. Although the excessive use of chromium plating moderated over the next few decades, the rear of a number of otherwise good-looking cars become a receptive area for many of the manufacturer's labels and odds and ends that it had not been possible to place elsewhere.

Crosley Farm-O-Road



Crosley had produced different products for the war effort, including the 'Pup' 4x4 prototype, a tiny air-portable 4WD. In 1950, to broaden its line-up into the commercial and agricultural market, the Farm-O-Road was introduced - an ATV sized utility vehicle that looked like a small Jeep. It was a combination of a light tractor, a small pickup and a passenger vehicle, and was intended for rural customers who wanted a vehicle for doing chores around the farm, but which could also take them into town. According to Crosley, the Farm-O-Road was designed: “To do big jobs on small farms, and smaller jobs on big farms.” Although it could be viewed as a precursor to today’s Side by Side UTV's, the Farm-O-Road was fully street-legal, with a top speed estimated at 40 mph (64 km/h) on the highway.

The Farm-O-Road took its cues from the Jeep and the wartime Pup. It had a boxy, minimalist body, riding on a 63 in (1.60 m) wheelbase, and it weighed 1,100 lb (500 kg). The Farm-O-Road was powered by the same 26.5 HP 44.2 cu in (724 cc) CIBA engine as the other Crosley models at the time, mated to a three-speed Warner T-92 transmission with a two-ratio, PTO-capable range box mounted behind it. In addition to normal gearing, it offered a 4-to-1 low reduction. The base price was $795, or $939 with a hydraulic system including a hydraulically operated drawbar.

Options included dual rear wheels, a detachable pickup bed which could come with a hydraulic dump, power take-offs on both front and rear, a rear seat, a soft-top, and side window curtains. An extensive range of farm-implement attachments was available, including a 10-inch single bottom plow, a moldboard plow, snow plow, a cutter-bar mower, sickle-bar mower, three-gang reel-type mower, a rolling coulter, disc harrow, cultivator, hay rake, row crop seeders, fertilizer unit, row guide, velocity governor, hand throttle, radiator chaff screen, post-hole digger, and spring blocks. Crosley even offered steam-bent wooden front snow skis that could be strapped to the front tires to convert the Farm-O-Road into a snowmobile. For the rest, equipment was spartan. Most Farm-O-Roads had only one windshield wiper – a right wiper was optional; and a heater or radio were not offered.

Exact production numbers aren’t known, but historians with the Crosley Automobile Club estimate less than 600 Farm-O-Roads were built. Later, Crofton Marine Engineering bought the rights and tooling for the rig and put it back into production from ’59-’63 as the "Crofton Bug", resulting in another ~250 units. The Farm-O-Road measured 91.5 in (2.32 m) long (without the optional, detachable bed) by 48 in (1.22 m) wide (excluding the side-mounted spare wheel), and 56.5 in (1.44 m) high (with the windshield and top up), and offered 500 lb (230 kg) payload. Axles were rigid front and rear – as on all other Crosleys – with a 5.38:1 ratio Spicer 23 in the rear.

The little 1950 vehicle was also compared with the 1959/1960 M422 Mighty Mite, the U.S. military's smallest jeep, originally with a 65 in (1.65 m) wheelbase.

Also see: 1950 Automobile Ads Published in the USA
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Buick Roadmaster
USA

Buick

  Also see: Buick Car Reviews
 
Buick offered 22 models, seven Series 40 Specials, seven Series 50 Supers and eight top-line Series 70 Roadmasters. The latter had four 'port holes', the others only had three. All had 8-in-line OHV engines with hydraulic valve lifters and CID was 248, 263 and 320. Prices ranged from US$1803 to $3433. Buick became the fourth manufacturer to produce more than half a million cars in one year (552,857) and no less than 429,903 of these had the relatively new Dynaflow torque-converter transmission. Pictured left is the Roadmaster Sedan, Model 72.
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Cadillac Series 61
USA

Cadillac

  Also see: Cadillac Road Tests and Reviews | Cadillac Brochures
 
In 1950 Cadillac produced over 100,000 cars for the first time in its history. There were four lines - Series 61 (122 inch wheelbase), Series 62 (126 inch wheelbase) Series 60S (130 inch wheelbase) and Series 75 (146¾ inch wheelbase, eight passenger), as well as a 163 inch wheelbase ambulance chassis (86). All models had a 331 CID V8 engine with hydraulic valve lifters and most were available with Hydra-Matic drive.
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Chevrolet Styleline DeLuxe
USA

Chevrolet

  Also see: Chevrolet Road Tests and Reviews | Chevrolet Brochures
 
For 1950 Chevrolet sold the Series 2100HK Styleline DeLuxe Sedan, Model 2103. Two and four door sedans were also available with fastback (Fleetline DeLuxe Models 2152 and 2153 resp). Austere versions of most Chevrolet models were in the 1500HJ Special Series. All had the familiar valve-in-head Six engine of 216 CID (235 CID when equipped with the new Powerglide auto transmission). That year, Chevrolet reached the highest production volume by any auto maker in history with 2,108,273 units. In December the 25 millionth Chevy was made.
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Chrysler New Yorker
USA

Chrysler New Yorker

  Also see: Chrysler Road Tests and Reviews | Chrysler Brochures
 
Chrysler offered two series of New Yorker's in 1950, the C-48 with 125½ inch wheelbase dubbed the Royal Windsor, and the C-49 with 131½ inch wheelbase available in Saratoga, New Yorker, Town & Country iterations. Engines were 250 6L CID and 323.5 CID Straight Eight respectively.
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Chrysler Imperial
USA

Chrysler Imperial

  Also see: Chrysler Road Tests and Reviews | Chrysler Brochures
 
Chrysler also offered the Crown Imperial Series C-50, with custom built body by Derham. This was one of the ultimate American luxury automobiles, boasting a 145½ inch wheelbase and 323.5 CID Straight Eight engine. A new safety measure was incorporated in the 1950 Chrysler; a new dash, with leather-padded crash pad was a departure, otherwise bodylines followed that of the family's other models, the grille being similar to the 1949 Chrysler. None, of course, were imported to Australia under the dollar conservation policy.
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Crosley Model VC Hotshot Roadster
USA

Crosley

   
 
To avoid confusion with the British Crosley concern, the American Crosley was known in some countries as the Crosmobile. The model VC Roadster had an 85 inch wheelbase, while the CD Sedans and Wagons had an 80 inch wheelbase. All were fitted with the same 44 CID 4 cylinder engine.
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DeSoto Custom
USA

DeSoto

  Also see: DeSoto Brochures
 
DeSoto had two ranges for 1950, the S-14 DeLuxe and Custom (pictured left), both with 236.7 CID L-Head Six engines and a 139½ inch wheelbase, 8 and 9 seat passenger models and a taxi. For export markets, there was also a smaller SP-20 Diplomat - which was basically a Plymouth.
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Dodge Coronet
USA

Dodge

  Also see: Dodge Road Tests and Reviews | Dodge Brochures
 
The Dodge Coronet D-34 was the top-line model, on a 123½ inch wheelbase. Other series included the Kingsway D-36 (for export markets), Wayfarer D-33 (115 inch wheelbase) and meadowbank D-34 (123½ inch wheelbase). All had L-head Six engines. In the Coronet line there was also a 137½ inch wheelbase 8 passenger sedan. The Coronet was a typical example of the first real post-war new model from the Chrysler Corporation. Though the "new look" had been adopted, styling on this and all other models tended to the conventional with the accent on practicality. A graceful, low silhouette was achieved with an absence of unnecessary ornamentation.
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Ford Six DeLuxe
USA

Ford

  Also see: Ford Road Tests and Reviews | Ford Brochures
 
Ford offered the 95 bhp Six (OHA) and 100 bhp V8 (OBA) ranges, both with 114 inch wheelbases, in each range there were basic (DeLuxe) and more luxurious (Custom) models, and a variety of body styles. Pictured left is the Series OHA Six DeLuxe Tudor two door sedan Model 70A.
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Ford V8 Custom
USA

Ford

  Also see: Ford Road Tests and Reviews | Ford Brochures
 
Ford series OBA V8 Custom Fordor (four-door-sedan) Model 73B. Ford fitted the 239.4 CID V8 100 bhp L-head engine. A special 110 bhp engine was available for law enforcement agencies. During 1950 a luxury Tudor, named the "Crestliner" was announced. Like the Convertible, it was available only with a V8 engine.
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Frazer Manhattan Convertible
USA

Frazer

   
 
The 1950 Frazer models were the same as for 1949, comprising a four-door sedan Model F505 with a list price of US$2254, a luxurious Model F506 Manhattan Sedan at $2446 and the vehicle pictured left, a convertible version of the Manhattan Sedan costing US$3110. All were mechanically similar to the Kaiser.
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Hudson Super Six
USA

Hudson Super Six

   
 
Hudson produced three ranges for 1950, the Pacemaker (500) and Pacemaker DeLuxe (50A) on a 119 inch wheelbase and fitted with a 232 CID engine. There was a Super Six (501) and Eight (503) on a 124 inch wheelbase with 262 and 254 CID engines respectively. The top-of-the-line was the Commodore Six (502) and Eight (504) with wheelbase and engines as Super Six and Eight. All had the 'step-down' Monobilt body-cum-frame design with recessed floor as introduced in 1947 and in-line L-head engines. Pictured left is the Super Six Sedan.
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Kaiser K501 Traveler
USA

Kaiser

  Also see: Kaiser Road Tests and Reviews
 
The Kaiser offerings were the same as for 1949: four door six-seaters with 123½ inch wheelbases and Continental 226.2 CID L-head Six engine. Models ranged from a four-door convertible at US$3016 down to the Special Sedan at US$1874. Included were the K501 Traveler (pictured left) and K502 Vagabond (DeLuxe) sedan-shaped utilities. Entirely new models were released in May, 1951.
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Lincoln Cosmopolitan
USA

Lincoln

  Also see: Lincoln Road Tests and Reviews | Lincoln Brochures
 
The Lincoln Cosmopolitan Series OEH had a 336.7 CID L-head V8 and 125 inch wheelbase. There was a two-door coupe (pictured left), convertible and sedan available. The lower-priced OEL with 121 inch wheelbase was available in Coupe and Sport Sedan models.
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1950 Mercury Coupe
USA

Mercury

  Also see: Mercury Road Tests and Reviews | Mercury Brochures
 
The 1950 Mercury Series OM models were facelifted 1949 models. Again there was a coupe (body type #72, pictured left) a Sport Seday (body type #74), a convertible (body type #76) and a station wagon (body type #79). Of the Coupe there were now Standard (#72A), DeLuxe (#72B) and Custom (#72C) variants. All had a 118 inch wheelbase chassis and 255.4 CID flat-head V8 engine. The French Ford Vedette had similar styling features.
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1950 Meteor Sedan
Canada

Meteor

   
 
The Meteor (pictured left) and Monarch were produced in Canada for their domestic market, as well as the American market. Both iterations were based on US Ford and Mercury respectively but came with a different grille and trimfeatures.
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Nash Airflyte
USA

Nash Airflyte

  Also see: Nash Road Tests and Reviews
 
Nash offered the Rambler (with 100 inch wheelbase Station Wagon and Convertible), Statesman (with 112 inch wheelbase DeLuxe, Super and Custom) and Ambassador (121 inch wheelbase Super and Custom). All had Airflyte styling with enclosed front wheels, a 1949 to 1956 Nash design feature.
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Oldsmobile Series 76 Sedan
USA

Oldsmobile Series 76 Sedan

  Also see: Oldsmobile Road Tests and Reviews | Oldsmobile Brochures
 
The Oldsmobile Series 76 Sedan was one of 13 models with a 257 CID in-line L-head Six engine. Their wheelbase was 119½ inches.
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Oldsmobile 88 Futuramic
USA

Oldsmobile Series 88 Futuramic

  Also see: Oldsmobile Road Tests and Reviews | Oldsmobile Brochures
 
The Series 88 Futuramic Sedan was in Olds' medium range. It was very similar to the Series 76, but the engine was a 303.7 CID V8. Top line models were in Series 98. These had the same V8 engine but a 112 inch wheelbase and larger body. All models could be ordered with Hydra Matic Drive and most were. Total 1950 production was 396,757 cars, including the three-millionth since 1897!
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Oldsmobile Series 88 Futuramic DeLuxe Holiday Coupe
USA

Oldsmobile Series 88 Futuramic DeLuxe Holiday Coupe

  Also see: Oldsmobile Road Tests and Reviews | Oldsmobile Brochures
 
The Oldsmobile Series 88 Futuramic DeLuxe Holiday Coupe featured a Fisher hardtop body which was also used by the Chevrolet Bel Air and Pontiac Catalina. The wheelbase was 119½ inches.
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Packard DeLuxe Super Eight
USA

Packard

  Also see: Packard Road Tests and Reviews
 
Packard produced their 23rd Series from May 1949 until the summer of 1950. There were various wheelbase sizes, 8 cylinder in-line engines and body styles. Some had ultramatic automatic transmission, in addition there was an export only Six on a 120 inch wheelbase and a New York style taxicab with the same 245 CID engine but on a 141 inch wheelbase. Pictured left is a DeLuxe Super Eight Sedan with 127 inch wheelbase and a 327 CID engine.
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Plymouth P-20 Special DeLuxe
USA

Plymouth

  Also see: Plymouth Road Tests and Reviews | Plymouth Brochures
 
Plymouth offered various body styles in three series: the P-19 DeLuxe with 111 inch wheelbase and P-20 DeLuxe and P-20 Special DeLuxe (pictured left), both with 118½ inch wheelbase. DeSoto and Dodge dealers in certain export territories sold the same car with distinguishing radiator grilles as the Diplomat and Kingsway respectively. All had 217.8 CID 97 bhp L-head Six engine and were similar in most respects to 1949 production.
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1950 Plymouth
USA

Plymouth

  Also see: Plymouth Road Tests and Reviews | Plymouth Brochures
 
By 1950 the American car buying public were able to buy the new Dodges and Plymouths. These cars retained a certain similarity in external radiator appearance to the previous models, but had been completely revised from stem to stern. Wheel-bases were longer and seating accommodation roomier, yet the bodies were smaller in overall length, width and height. Mechanical specifications were the same, but incorporation of many detail improvements and complete re-distribution of weights had wrought subtle changes to these already fine cars.

Engines were moved further forward, allowing both seats to be placed between the axles. This was a definite improvement from the point of view of comfort. Flush panelling was a feature of the new range and the front wings blended smoothly into the body line. All wings, however, were removable, so that replacement or repair work could be carried out with a minimum of expense. In America, fluid drive was standard on all the larger Chrysler models, but the extra dollars were not spent to bring any to Australia.
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Pontiac Chiefrain
USA

Pontiac Chieftan

  Also see: Pontiac Road Tests and Reviews | Pontiac Brochures
 
The Pontiac Silver Streak chieftain four-door Sedan was available in both the Series 25 Six (239.2 CID) and the Series 27 Eight (268.4 CID). Engines were in-line L-heads. Of coupes and sedans there were fastback versions named Streamliner. New for 1950 was the Catalina Hardtop Coupe. The wheelbase of all models was 120 inches, and Hydra Matic Drive was optional.
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Studebaker Champion
USA

Studebaker

  Also see: Studebaker Road Tests and Reviews
 
The 1950 Studebaker models had a restyled from end and new coil spring front suspension replacing the transversal leaf type. Pictured left is the Model 9G-Q1 Champion 3 passenger DeLuxe Coupe which had a 113 inch wheelbase and 85 bhp 169.6 CID L-head Six engine. Fivv passenger coupes, two and four-door sedans and a convertible were also available.
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Studebaker Land Cruiser
USA

Studebaker

  Also see: Studebaker Road Tests and Reviews
 
The Studebaker Commander Land Cruiser Model 17A-Y5 was the top-of-the-line sedan. Mechanically similar to other Commanders, its wheelbase was four inches longer at 124 inches. The engine was a 102 bhp 245.6 CID L-head Six. All Champion body styles were available also on the 120 inch wheelbase Commander chassis.
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Willys Jeep
USA

Willys

  Also see: Willys Road Tests and Reviews
 
Willys produced the famed Universal Jeep CJ3A as well as a wide range of Jeep inspired models, including Jeepster Phaetons, Station Wagons and Pickups. Some types were available with either conventional (4 x 2) or all-wheel-drive (4 x 4). For use in the Korean war, the US Army ordered a military version of the CJ3A and a substantial number of these (designated Truck ¼ ton 4 x 4 Utility M38 were built during 1950-1952. One such example is pictured at left.
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Willys Jeepster Phaeton
USA

Willys Jeepster Phaeton

  Also see: Willys Road Tests and Reviews
 
The Willys Jeepster Phaeton, styled by Brooks Stevens, was first introduced in May 1948. In 1950 it was avaiilable with either the 134 CID four or 161 CID Six engine. The Wheelbase was 104 inches.
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1950 Dodge
1950 Dodge.
1950 Hudson
1950 Hudson.
1950 Nash Airflyte
1950 Nash Airflyte.
1950 Nash Airflyte
1950 Nash Airflyte.
1950 Nash Statesman Custom 2-Door
1950 Nash Statesman Custom 2-Door.
1950 Studebaker
1950 Studebaker.
   
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