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Our memories are selective and those
of us new to the old car hobby or too young to remember
the 1950s, it is easy to become fixated on one particular
car. Are you longing for a 1957 Chevrolet Bellaire Convertible
and find yourself priced out of the market? Consider
a '57 Pontiac or Oldsmobile. Or maybe a Chevy hard top
as opposed to the convertible. Cars like most possessions
may vary significantly and have advantages and disadvantages.
Why not evaluate other makes and models before giving
up?
Twenty years ago there was a lot of interest in the
1930s cars. But as the years wore on, and younger hobbyists
entered the scene, the span of years they were nostalgic
about moved along. The 1950s makes are very popular
now. From the aerodynamic "torpedo" lines
of the early 1950s to the sculptured fins at the end
of the decade, American car design evolved quickly giving
character to transportation transforming it into an
art form. At a time when hot rods, custom cars, dragsters
and sports cars were popular, Detroit was making its
own statement with brightly colored metallic exteriors,
two and three tone paint schemes, excessive chrome,
white wall tires, ornate hub caps, flashy interiors,
high performance engines and airplane styled rear ends.
Each year the cars got longer, lower and wider. Radios
belted our rock and roll and driving was an expression
of who we were.
General Motors make five distinctive brands not including
their GMC truck line. Each costs a little more as you
go up the status latter. Each offered a little more
luxury and more options. GM was the king, out-selling
Ford, Chrysler, Nash/AMC, Studebaker-Packard, Hudson,
Kaiser-Frazer and the foreign makes.
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| Pontiac |
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| Oldsmobile |
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| Buick |
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| Cadillac |
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