During World War II, automobile manufacturers stopped making cars, turning their factories into generating war materials. Following the war, there was a sellers’ market for new cars. Initially, the first post-war cars closely resembled the pre-war cars, but quickly new styles emerged, setting the stage for the chrome era of the 1950s. Shown below are some of the post-war (1956 to 1950) vehicles on display at the Montana Auto Museum in Deerlodge, Montana and the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon.
Ford:
Shown above is a 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Woodie Station Wagon on display at the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington. It sold for $1,855 and a total of 3,520 were built.
Shown above is a 1950 Ford Fordor Custom on display at the Montana Auto Museum. It sold for $1,637.
Lincoln:
Shown above is a 1947 Lincoln Mode 76H, 2-Door Convertible Coupe on display at the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington. After World War II, production continued with no changes from the 1942 design occurring until 1948.
Shown above is a 1948 Lincoln V-12 Convertible on display at the Montana Auto Museum. It sold for $3,142.
Chevrolet:
Shown above is a 1946 Chevrolet Pickup on display at the Montana Auto Museum. It sold for $757.
Oldsmobile:
Shown above is a 1948 Oldsmobile Model 66, 2-Door Coupe on display in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
Shown above is a 1950 Oldsmobile Futuramic 88, 4-Door Station Wagon on display in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington. Tom McCahill, writing in Mechanix Illustrated described the 1950 Olds this way:
“The 1950 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 is as hot as a hornet’s kiss, especially when equipped with a conventional, three-speed transmission.”
However, the Olds station wagon was a disappointing seller and only 2,650 were built.
Cadillac:
Shown above is a 1947 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible on display in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
Hudson:
Shown above is a 1949 Hudson 4-door Sedan on display at the Montana Auto Museum. It sold for $2,207.
DeSoto:
Shown above is a 1949 DeSoto Custom, 4-Door Sedan on display at LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
Plymouth:
Shown above is a 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe, 2-Door Coupe on display in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
Shown above is a 1950 Plymouth Super Deluxe on display at the Montana Auto Museum which sold for $1,629.
Studebaker:
Shown above: 1947 Studebaker Commander Starlight Coupe on display in the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon. Studebaker Corporation was founded in 1852 as a wagon manufacturer. They began making automobiles in 1902. Studebaker ceased production in 1966.
Shown above is a 1950 Studebaker Champion on display at the Montana Auto Museum which featured “bullet-nose” front and rear bumpers. It sold for $1,981.
Shown above is 1950 Studebaker 1 ½ Ton Flatbed Truck on display in the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon.
Chrysler:
Shown above is a 1948 Chrysler New Yorker on display in the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon. The New Yorker was launched as Chrysler’s premium automobile model in 1940 and would remain so until 1996.
Shown above is a 1950 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible on display in LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington. This car was originally priced at $3,236 and only 899 were produced. Today it is a rare car.
Buick:
Shown above is a 1949 Buick Super, 4-Door Station Wagon on display at the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
Kaiser:
Shown above: 1950 Kaiser Virginian on display in the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon. Kaiser Motors was founded by Henry J. Kaiser in 1945 and produced cars until 1953.
Packard:
Shown above is a 1947 Packard Clipper Deluxe 8, 4-Door Sedan on display in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
Shown above is a 1948 Packard Clipper Long Wheelbase on display in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
Crosley:
Shown above is a 1949 Crosley Hot Shot Roadster on display in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
Shown above: 1950 Crosley Model CD Sedan on display in the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon. The Crosley Corporation manufactured automobiles intermittently from 1939 to 1952. Industrialist Powel Crosley, Jr., owner of Crosley Broadcasting Corporation and the Cincinnati Reds baseball team, had plans to build subcompact cars. Crosley was the first automobile company to use the term “Sport Utility.”
Dodge:
Shown above is 1947 Dodge WF-34 Flatbed Truck on display in the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon.