1950s

The first full decade of the postwar era saw unprecedented development in the auto industry. While East and West engaged in an arms race, American car manufacturers practiced their own brand of one-upmanship, rolling out annual styling updates with increasing ornamentation. The compact and efficient overhead-valve V8, once the exclusive domain of Studebaker, was embraced by the Big Three as well as the newly formed American Motors Corporation. Juan Manuel Fangio won five Formula One championships, and race tracks were lapped by legendary sports cars like the Jaguar D-Type, Maserati 450S, Aston Martin DBR1, Porsche 550 Spyder, and V12-powered Ferraris.

Get daily updates You're subscribed to 1950s updates You're Subscribed Have one? Sell yours here

1950s Live Auctions (28)

327-Powered 1952 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe Bel Air Custom

USA

This 1952 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe Bel Air was made into a custom by a previous owner. A 327ci V8 and TH350 automatic were retrofitted along with a Camaro-sourced front clip, and adjustable air suspension and 14" Supreme alloy wheels were also installed. The interior was retrimmed and fitted with a Vintage Air unit and modern gauges.

Bid: USD $3,752

LS1-Powered 1951 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup

USA

This 1951 Chevrolet 3100 pickup was purchased by the owner in 2020, and subsequent modifications involved the installation of a 5.7-liter LS1 V8 as well as a 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission. The body was painted gray in 2022 and features a black grille, a rear roll pan, peep mirrors, side exhaust outlets, and a black-finished wood bed…

Bid: USD $32,500

1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce Confortevole

USA

A Alumni

This 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce is one of a claimed 199 Confortevole examples produced. A more deluxe version of the contemporary Alleggerita (lightweight) variant, Confortevole (comfortable) models featured an all-steel body as well as additional interior trim, a heater, a glove box, and roll-up windows.

Bid: USD $52,000

Porsche 356 Convertible D Replica by Intermeccanica

USA

This Intermeccanica Roadster RS is a Porsche 356 Convertible D Replica that was assembled in 2001 and acquired by the seller in 2018. It is finished in black over gray leather and is powered by an air-cooled 1,600cc flat-four linked with a four-speed manual transaxle. Equipment includes dual Weber carburetors, a black soft top and boot, a luggage…

Bid: USD $16,750

Ex–Matthew Morrison, Supercharged 1956 MG MGA Roadster

USA

This 1956 MG MGA 1500 roadster was retrofitted with a Judson supercharger kit under previous ownership, and it was owned by American actor Matthew Morrison before it was acquired by the seller in 2015. Subsequent refurbishments included renewing the red paintwork, installing an aluminum radiator and Spal electric cooling fan, and replacing the…

Bid: USD $10,000

1958 BMW Isetta 600

USA

This 1958 BMW Isetta 600 is finished in red with a white roof over tan vinyl and red cloth upholstery and is powered by a 582cc flat-twin. It is further equipped with 10″ steel wheels, chrome-finished nerf bars, sliding side windows, and VDO instrumentation. The car was acquired by the selling dealer in 2023, and work in 2024 involved rebuilding…

Bid: USD $25,000

42-Years-Owned 1955 Ford Thunderbird Project

USA

NR No Reserve

This 1955 Ford Thunderbird was acquired by the current owner in 1984 and is currently a running project that has remained off the road for several years. The 292ci V8 was replaced in the early 1980s under prior ownership, and the car is equipped with a three-speed automatic transmission. Work in 2025 included replacing the ignition coil, starter,…

Bid: USD $4,451

1952 Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupe

USA

NR No Reserve

This 1952 Jaguar XK120 is a Fixed Head Coupe that was refurbished in the early 1990s, and it is finished in black over red leather. The car is powered by a 3.4-liter inline-six linked with a four-speed manual transmission and is equipped with dual SU carburetors, a split front windshield, chrome bumpers and bumperettes, front driving lights,…

Bid: USD $36,000

383-Powered 1957 Chevrolet 210 Handyman Wagon

USA

This 1957 Chevrolet 210 Handyman two-door wagon was purchased by the seller's father in 1991, and the seller notes refurbishment and modifications have been performed over the decades since. A 383ci stroker V8 was installed approximately 10 years ago and is linked to a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission and a 9" rear end.

Bid: USD $11,500

1957 Ford Thunderbird

USA

This 1957 Ford Thunderbird is said to have remained with the original owner until the current owner's acquisition in 2025, and to have been based in Coto de Caza in Southern California from new. The car is powered by a 312ci V8 paired with a three-speed Fordomatic automatic transmission, and it is refinished white over a reupholstered black…

Bid: USD $15,555

1968 Fiat 500F

USA

This 1968 Fiat 500 is finished in blue over tan and white vinyl and is powered by an air-cooled 499cc inline-twin paired with a four-speed manual transaxle. Equipment includes a folding canvas roof panel, 12" steel wheels, front disc brakes, front and rear lap belts, a rear luggage rack, and a wicker picnic basket.

Bid: USD $23,000

1954 Cadillac Series 75 Limousine from Godfather Movie

USA

This 1954 Cadillac Series 75 eight-passenger Imperial Sedan limousine is documented to have appeared in the 1972 film The Godfather, in which the car was used to transport the Corleone family to the funeral of Vito Corleone. The vehicle is one of 611 examples of this body style that were produced for the model year, and it is powered by a 331ci V8…

Bid: USD $20,000

25-Years-Owned 1958 Chevrolet Corvette 283/245 4-Speed

USA

This 1958 Chevrolet Corvette was acquired by the seller in 2001 from an owner of 26 years and subsequently mechanically refurbished, achieving NCRS Top Flight honors in 2005. The car is refinished in red over red vinyl and is powered by a 283ci V8 paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Features include a dual-quad induction setup, a…

Bid: USD $46,500

1952 Cooper-MG T21 Barchetta

USA

P Premium

This 1952 Cooper-MG T21 is one of approximately two dozen Cooper-MG chassis built between 1950 and 1953 and is said to have been purchased new as a rolling chassis by an employee of MG dealer University Motors in London, England. The car was assembled by its first owner using a 1,250cc MG XPAG inline-four, a four-speed gearbox, an ENV…

Bid: USD $17,000

Modified 1953 Hudson Hornet Club Coupe

USA

fThis 1953 Hudson Hornet club coupe was purchased out of Oregon in 2020 by the current owner, who added a NASCAR-inspired livery and also had the 308ci inline-six rebuilt and a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission installed. Approximately $70k worth of refurbishment work conducted in 2022 also involved converting the electrical system to 12…

Bid: USD $13,000

4.6L-Powered 1956 Ford F-100 Big-Window Pickup

USA

This 1956 Ford F-100 is a "big-window" pickup that was purchased by the seller in 2010, and subsequent work included installing a 4.6-liter V8 with dual four-barrel carburetors. The truck rides on a Mustang II-style front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, and a four-link rear setup with adjustable Bilstein coilovers, and the polished Torq…

Bid: USD $29,500

Modified 1955 Mercedes-Benz 190SL

USA

NR No Reserve

This 1955 Mercedes-Benz 190SL was modified in the style of a "190SLR" in the 1990s by marque specialist Bruce Adams, including a racing-style windscreen, cut-down lightweight doors, and a bolt-in roll hoop. The car was owned by actor and race car driver Patrick Dempsey from 2006 until 2008 and was restored by the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center of…

Bid: USD $77,777

Porsche 356 Speedster Replica

USA

This Porsche 356 Speedster is based on a 1958 Volkswagen pan and is said to have been assembled in 2010. It is powered by a 1,600cc flat-four linked with a four-speed manual transmission. The fiberglass bodywork is painted blue and complemented by beige upholstery on the bucket seats, and additional features include a removable soft top, a luggage…

Bid: USD $15,000

1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL

USA

A Alumni

This 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL spent time in California prior to a multi-year restoration carried out between 2009 and 2013. Work involved repainting the car red, replacing the tan convertible top, refreshing the tan interior, overhauling the suspension, and rebuilding the 1.9-liter inline-four and four-speed manual transmission.

Bid: USD $45,000

1951 Chevrolet 3100 5-Window Pickup

USA

This 1951 Chevrolet 3100 five-window pickup has remained registered in California since new and was purchased by the seller in 2005. The truck has been repainted red and white over gray upholstery and is powered by a replacement 216ci inline-six paired with a three-speed manual transmission. Additional equipment includes a 12-volt electrical…

Bid: USD $6,000

1954 Chevrolet Corvette

USA

This 1954 Chevrolet Corvette is the 2,594th of 3,640 examples produced for the model year, and the seller tells us that they acquired it in 2025 from a family that owned it for approximately five decades. It is finished in white over red vinyl and is powered by a replacement 235ci “Blue Flame” inline-six paired with a two-speed Powerglide…

Bid: USD $31,000

72-Years-Family-Owned 1953 Austin-Healey 100 BN1 Roadster Project

USA

NR No Reserve

This 1953 Austin-Healey 100 BN1 roadster is said to have been purchased new by the original owner through a broker out of San Pedro, California, in 1953 before being acquired by the seller's grandfather in 1954. The car was repainted blue at some point in the 1950s or 1960s before being passed to the seller in 1976 and is said to have remained…

Bid: USD $10,002

383-Powered 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop 5-Speed

USA

This 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air two-door hardtop was the subject of a custom build around 2006 that involved the installation of a 383ci V8 crate engine along with a Tremec five-speed manual transmission and a Ford 9" rear end. The body was refinished in ivory and turquoise, and the chassis has been modified with tubular front control arms, a rear…

Bid: USD $25,000

Custom 1950 Mercury Eight Coupe

USA

This 1950 Mercury Eight coupe was modified under prior ownership during a build that involved customizing the body with a chopped top, flush door handles, shaved trim, frenched headlights, and tunneled taillights. The interior was outfitted with front bucket seats and a rear bench trimmed in gray along with a center console, a tilt steering wheel,…

Bid: USD $10,000

6.0L LQ9-Powered 1950 Studebaker 2R Pickup Custom

USA

This 1950 Studebaker pickup was acquired by the seller in 2006 and was rebuilt, customized, and modified. The chassis features a boxed and modified Studebaker frame, a Mustang II-style front suspension, and four-link rear with Ridetech AirPod air suspension, and braking is handled by Baer 13.5” four-wheel discs with Hydroboost power assist.

Bid: USD $8,100

1956 Jaguar XK140 Roadster

USA

This 1956 Jaguar XK140 Roadster was originally distributed to Los Angeles, California via Hornburg Jaguar and is reported to have been previously owned by actor Michael Douglas. The car was repainted blue during a refurbishment in 2003, and it is powered by a 3.4-liter inline-six fitted with a C-type cylinder head and linked with a four-speed…

Bid: USD $75,000

1959 Ford Thunderbird Coupe

USA

NR No Reserve

This 1959 Ford Thunderbird coupe is powered by a 352ci V8 backed by a replacement three-speed automatic transmission that was installed in 2025. The seller acquired the car in 2018, and additional work performed since 2024 includes replacing the shocks and rebuilding the carburetor. Riding on 14" steel wheels with covers, the car has a red finish…

Bid: USD $6,000

1958 Lancia Aurelia B24S Convertible

USA

P Premium

This 1958 Lancia Aurelia B24S is one of 521 convertibles built during three years of production and was completed on April 4, 1958. Chassis 1561 is said to have undergone a refurbishment in the early 2010s that included a repaint in blue before being purchased by its current owner approximately four months ago.

Bid: USD $22,500

1950s

1950s Live Auctions (28)

1950s Auction Results