| ss="articletext">The cars from the 1950s were | | | | gave the comfort and protection needed against |
| truly style icons. From the shapes to the | | | | the weather when closed. Chevrolet Cars Images, |
| engineering, General Motors and Ford crafted | | | | particularly the Bel Air, were seen everywhere. In |
| innovative designs that are still admired by many. | | | | 1950, 74,634 Bel Airs were sold and Chevrolet |
| Attend any classic car show and you will see | | | | regained its position over Ford as market leader. |
| many models from the 1950s. There is something | | | | Ford’s response to Bel Air: Crown Victoria |
| special about these vehicles. | | | | The following year Ford unveiled the Custom |
| Rivals as American carmakers | | | | Victoria. It outsold the Bel Air in 1951 by 7,000 |
| Ford and General Motors each had the goal of | | | | units. The engineering of the Custom Victoria |
| determining what American consumers wanted in | | | | include an innovative pillarless superstructure. Ford |
| vehicles and trying to be the first company to | | | | car pics of this model show superbly clean lines. |
| deliver that product. The philosophy of I can | | | | This combined with a posh interior and good |
| make that better became commonplace | | | | performance with a flathead V-8 propelled this |
| among carmakers. The American consumer | | | | model to eclipse the Chevrolet Bel Air. |
| benefited from the intense competition between | | | | Ford’s Ranchero |
| the two automobile giants. Pricing was affordable | | | | Ford beat Chevrolet in the rollout of the Ranchero |
| while style was high. Chevrolet Cars Pictures along | | | | model. Considered a crossover, the |
| with their Ford counterparts were seen in print | | | | Ranchero appealed equally to car and truck |
| ads in newspapers and magazines. | | | | drivers. It displayed utility features while offering |
| Chevrolet Bel Air | | | | comfort ability. Old Ford Car Pictures of the |
| The early 1950s saw the automakers looking at | | | | Ranchero was a two-door wagon with the rear |
| retooling old ideas. Chevrolet came out with one | | | | section of the roof taken off and a bedliner |
| of the first affordable hardtop convertibles in | | | | placed in the floor plan. |
| 1950; the model was called Bel Air. They set out | | | | Chevy’s reaction: El Camino |
| to improve upon the old soft-top cars that were | | | | GM’s counterpart to Ford’s |
| just not feasible in rain or winter weather. GM | | | | Ranchero was the El Camino. Among Vintage |
| created a hybrid style that provided the | | | | Chevrolet cars, the El Camino is very unique in |
| convertible experience when opened up, but also | | | | appearance. |