Classic American Cars of 1950

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If Buick had bared its teeth in 1949, it was only a prelude to the full-frontal attack launched in 1950. Several have mentioned they went too far with the "bucktooth Buick" which had appeared midway by means of the prior year in a new 1950 Unique line. The public, nevertheless bought Buicks by the bucketload, pushing Buick up to third spot in the sales race behind Chevrolet and Ford. Buick symbolized good results both for itself and for the buyers of automobiles.

Good results was also in sight for Cadillac at the unlikely venue of Le Mans, exactly where a Caddy-powered Allard came third. Two other people also placed in the race: an practically stock series 62 coupe was tenth and a special-bodied Series 62 was 11th. Surprising results considering their ever growing size and shape.

Chevrolet had small to give in 1950 that had not been avaialble the previous year and all their ad men could write about was the fully-automatic Powerglide transmission and a two-door hardtop known as the Bel Air.

Mercury could not match Chevvy's one and a half million sales but they did make their millionth automobile that year. What modifications they produced had been small, but a substantial addition to the range was the Monterey coupe which featured a padded canvas or vinyl leading and a custom leather interior. Ford tried comparable treatment on its special edition Crestliner and in so performing won the coveted Fashion Academy award for the second year.

The influences of the street trends had been undoubtedly becoming felt and the '49 to '51 Merc was, and at all times will be 1 of the customizer's preferred vehicles. The Barris brothers were responsible for its impact by chopping and changing a '51 for owner Bob Hirohita. Other attributes incorporated into his auto included full fender skirts with 1950 Cadillac style fake air scoops, a floating single bar grille, sunken headlights, frenched '52 Lincoln tail lights and Buick side trim. It set a trend which has been repeated on custom cars ever since and the Hirohita Merc as it has often been known, is still around nowadays.

The idea of custom automobile shows was truly beginning to catch on and the 1st Annual National Roadster Show was held in Oakland on 19 January. The event still takes place and its accolade for America's Most Gorgeous Roadster remains the most coveted. The winner that year was Bill Miekamp with his track-style roadster built on an Essex chassis with parts from 4 Model A Ford bodies and a 1942 Mercury engine.

Yet another milestone event was taking place in California, when on 19 June C.J. Hart opened the world's initial commercial drag strip at what was the Orange County airport in Santa Ana. Prior to this, Hart and his friends had raced, up to eight-abreast at Mile Square but they had been ultimately kicked off the US Navy property by the Marines.

To start with the competitors at Santa Ana had been mainly driving stockers but gradually the dry lakesters stopped playing in the sand, got utilized to a brief sprint, and the sport of significant drag racing had began.