American Cars 1946-1959: Every Model, Year by Year

1048 Pages·2008·11.6 MB·English

by  J. Kelly ''

American Cars,
¡946–¡959
ALSOBYJ. “KELLY” FLORY, JR.
American Cars, ¡960–¡972: Every Model, Year by Year
(McFarland, 2004)
American Cars,
¡946–¡959
Every Model, Year by Year
J. “K ” F , J .
ELLY LORY R
McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Jefferson, North Carolina, and London
LIBRARYOFCONGRESSCATALOGUING-IN-PUBLICATIONDATA
Flory, J. “Kelly” Jr.
American cars, ¡946–¡959 : every model, year by year / J. “Kelly”
Flory, Jr.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5
illustrated case binding : 50# alkaline paper
¡. Automobiles—United States—History. I. Title.
TL23.F585 2008 629.2220973—dc22 2008004086
British Library cataloguing data are available
©2008 J. “Kelly” Flory, Jr. All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying
or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publisher.
Cover photograph: ¡957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser ©2008 Kimball Stock
Manufactured in the United States of America
McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Box 6¡¡, Je›erson, North Carolina 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
Acknowledgments
Once again, I have many people to thank for their to Steve Hartwich for loaning sales literature for informa-
help in compiling the information within this book. First tion and pictures, and also for reviewing and editing ma-
o›, I want to thank my family, friends and co-workers, terial. A special thank you to my friends Tom Millard and
who encouraged me to write a second book. Without their Brian Atwell, for sales literature and dealer promotional
praise and support for my first book, American Cars, materials provided to help complete the pictures and other
¡960–¡972, a follow-up might not have happened. I would information within this book. All of the above people con-
especially like to thank my parents John and Mary Jean tributed to my first book, and their contribution to this
Flory, and my friends, Rich Gibbs for providing time and “prequel” is greatly appreciated. Finally, thanks to every-
expertise in scanning pictures, reviewing and editing, and one who o›ered their input, ideas, and encouragement.
v
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Contents
Abbreviations ix
Preface 1
Introduction 5
¡946 ¡5 ¡953 469
¡947 69 ¡954 545
¡948 ¡26 ¡955 62¡
¡949 ¡84 ¡956 700
¡950 250 ¡957 777
¡95¡ 3¡8 ¡958 855
¡952 39¡ ¡959 938
Appendices:
I. Minor Makes from the Immediate Postwar Period ¡0¡¡
II. Transmission Types ¡0¡6
III. Engine Types ¡020
IV. ¡950s Dream Cars ¡02¡
V. Milestones ¡030
Bibliography ¡033
Index ¡035
vii
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Abbreviations
Auto body terminology Measurements
Bus. Cpe. Business Coupe Cap. Capacity
Conv. Convertible Cu. Cubic
Cpe. Coupe F Front
Dr. Door Ft. Feet
HT Hardtop or Hardtop Coupe G or gal. Gallon
Hdtp. Hardtop or Hardtop Coupe L or l Liter
Sdn. Sedan lbs. Pounds
Wgn. Wagon or Station Wagon R Rear
# - p. Number of passengers vehicle is designed WB Wheelbase
to carry (e.g., 6-p.)
# - S. Number of seats in vehicle (usually refers
Miscellaneous
to wagons)
AC or A/C Air conditioning
Engine terminology
EC or E/C Extra cost
FADP Factory as delivered price
Bbl. Barrels (ports or venturi) on a carburetor LY Last year
CID Cubic inch displacement Met. Metallic paint
Dual exhaust Two separate exhaust outlet systems (typ- NA or N/A Not available or not applicable
ically each carries half of engine exhaust) NC or N/C No cost option
EFI Electronic fuel injection PB Power brakes
FI Fuel injection PS Power steering
HO or H.O. High output S Standard equipment
I# Inline engine block design (e.g. I6) $ Available at extra cost, but price not
V# V-shape engine block design (e.g., V8) known
ix