Along with Ford and Cadillac, Chevrolet was one of the biggest automobile producers in the United States during the 1950s. During this decade, many classic Chevrolet models were manufactured that are now highly sought-after collector's items. According to 50classicchevy.com, "the 1950s saw more significant changes in the Chevrolet than had occurred in any previous decade since the 1920s and 1930s."
1956 Corvette
Authored by Chevy designer Bob Cadaret, the '56 Corvette is regarded as "one of the best-looking cars ever," according to Web-cars.com. This model improved on many of the design flaws in previous Corvette models from 1953 to 1955. The '56 Corvette featured outside door handles, a factory-sourced hardtop and roll-up windows, as well as options for a power top and power windows. This model also introduced a design element known as "coves," side-body horizontal scallops that were previously only available on the 1955 Motorama LaSalle II. In 1956, John Fitch set the speed record for a production car, 145.543 mph, while driving the '56 Corvette at NASCAR Speed Week in Daytona.
1959 El Camino
Though considered more an artistic success than a commercial one in its beginnings, the '59 El Camino was the first model of a line that would last for 25 years. In a year in which Chevrolet sold 1.5 million cars, the El Camino sold just 20,000 units. However, this car that Jack Nerad, writing for Driving Today, calls a "highly styled, civilized pickup truck" would later be revered as one of the greatest automobiles of all time. The '59 El Camino featured Chevy's famed in-line six-cylinder engine, a 230-horsepower hydraulic lifter, and options for both Turboglide and Powerglide and automatics. Measuring 210 inches in overall length, the '59 El Camino featured a sleek design with a long 119-inch wheelbase. The major criticism the '59 El Camino generated was over its relatively small pickup truck bed, though Chevy would adjust this in later models.
1955 Nomad
Originally priced at $2,570, the 1955 Chevy Nomad was the most expensive Chevrolet car in that year's catalog, according to Conceptcarz.com. It featured a 162-horsepower, 265-cubic-inch overhead V-8 engine, a ribbed roof, wraparound back window, vertical chrome tailgate bars, slanted "B" pillars, a Powerglide two-speed automatic gearbox and a flashy chrome spear on the hood. Available colors included cherry red, beige, turquoise, flamingo pink and pale yellow. This car is highly sought-after by collectors, as only 8,386 Nomads were produced that year.
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