Vintage Car For Sale
A vintage car for sale can cost as much as an antique, classic or even newer vehcle if it is in good condition. During the Vintage Car Era, 1950 to 1960, the automobile designer was in charge and cars were loaded with chrome at the buyer's insistance. You can look for a vintage car for sale in our Classified Ads and you will find dealers with a vintage car for sale in the Business Directory. You can also search for a vintage car for sale here.
The Vintage Car Era: 1950 - 1959
The American automobile industry began about 1900 and drove the US into the Industrial Revolution 20 years later. The first 50 years were marked with strife and peril as we went through The Great Depression and two World Wars. But the cavalier, "anything goes" attitude of the great automobile pioneers like Ford, Daimler, Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, Studebaker, Olds, Hudson and Sloan kept the industry alive. To the automobile enthusiasts, this is commonly known as the Antique Car Era.
The Second World War had consumed every scrap of new and used steel that Americans could gather but by the late 1940's such essential war materials were coming back into the open market. With factories geared up for production, the promise of ample raw materials and thousands of soldiers in need of work, industry was ready for a second revolution and once again the automakers would lead the way.
After 15 years of hardship the American people were poised for good times. Men had jobs, families were whole again and everyone was looking for fun. It took automakers almost five years to forget the prewar styles and retool but once they did it was a brand new era and the Big Three of Ford, Chrysler and General Motors were leading the way. Running boards disappeared, tops folded away, manual transmissions evolved to automatics, and the need for bigger cars to go faster started a horsepower war that continues today.
In the 1950's the automobile designer was in charge. Consumers lived for the annual new model shows and their acceptance brought riches - their rejection devastation. New models were made of clay and took two or more years to develop, calling for foresight and luck. The people yelled for more chrome, new colors, more lights and better radios and automakers were only too happy to oblige.
In 1953 General Motors and Ford staged a price war for supremacy that eliminated several of the smaller companies. The Korean War and a significant recession in 1958 put consumers on guard. Nash and Hudson joined forces to create American Motors and Packard bought the ailing Studebaker Company. Henry Ford came out of retirement to try and overtake General Motors, and the call for more horsepower fueled the fire. However the less glamorous features like brakes, suspension, fuel economy and safety had all but been ignored, leading the way to government intervention. And by 1960 the Vintage Car Era had become the Classic Car Era.
|
Brass Cars - The American automobile industry began with the Brass Car Era, featuring wood chassis, steam engines and lots of shinny brass trim. Learn 
Antique Cars - The gasoline engine and assembly line marked the beginning of the Antique Car Era, immortalized by Henry Ford and his famous Model T. Learn 
Vintage Cars -The Vintage Car Era followed World War I, a time when men needed work and idle factories and machinery needed a purpose. Learn 
Classic Cars -The Classic Car Era followed World War II, when men and machines were once again in need of work and consumers wanted better cars. Learn 
Hot Rods & Roadsters -The Hot Rods Era was born from a desire to salvage and customize discarded vehicles to meet personal needs for speed. Learn 
Muscle Cars -Muscle Cars are a byproduct of the Classic Car Era and answered consumer demand for more power and speed. Learn 
