Cars of the Fabulous 50s: A Decade of High Style and Good Times

This book comes out of a series that Consumer Guide published. I also have their book on Cars of the Fascinating 40s. I think they also have books on cars of the 60s and 70s The books are a large format with a generous number of pages. There are plenty of color photos and most are close to half-page sized. Some photos are of contemporary show cars, others are vintage publicity or advertising illustrations. They're all great photos. The book also shows some color cards that have all the paint colors that were available for that year. The book is organized by year, then by manufacturer (GM, FoMoCo, etc.), and finally by division or marquis. The book isn't 100% comprehensive for each model though they do have information on most models. For example, I noticed a business coupe wasn't shown for one year but they showed one for that brand in a later year. I have a few of these general interest auto books and this would be amongst the better ones because it combines an expanded amount of text along with higher quality illustrations.

America's 1950s cars are loved all over the world, especially by people who grew up with them ir drove them brand new. Absolutely complete collection of ALL 1950 - 1959 Autos. Great gift for car buffs, mechanics, history lovers, and anyone who just loves the classic American Car... Bright lights, huge engines, and first class luxury all the way. High Quality paper, packed full of hundreds of photos, with great descriptions of each car and the flow of history nkt only of the Auto industry, but of the progress and feelings towards cars in the Golden Age of USA.

This book has fantastic information about the cars that we love in our early lives.

This "Cars of the Faboulas Fifties" book, is part of a series(50's, 60's and 70's cars). I saw all 3 at Costco, years ago. I, being frugal, only bought the 60's one. I enjoyed it so much, I tracked down the 70's and recently 50's version. These 3 are, IMO, a must for any "car guy" (or Gal). Lots of NICE photos, and illistrations,mostly factory images, I believe. All are unmodified, stock appearing cars. One drawback to looking at these books, you'l long for days gone by, when American Cars were KING and the factories offered SO MANY models and bodystyles!! Buy an AMERICAN CAR, today and restore our manufacturering base!

Excellent commentary on cars of the era and insightful comments on the era. Good illustrations and well organized.

Beautiful pictures, well detailed, book in new like condition, despite of listing as used. Shipped fast, well packed.

Wonderful, colorful book. Extensive compilation.

Got this for my Car enthusiast husband to complete a series of CARS through the decades. Find them interesting with the discussion of what was going on during the times the cars were manufactured. Great coffee table books.

Great cars and great photographs, good reading too.

A great book; I was/am very happy with it. I've already loaned it out a couple of times, so get a copy for yourself before my friends order theirs'. Thanks, Dave (in Colorado)

This book comes out of a series that Consumer Guide published. I also have their book on Cars of the Fascinating 40s. I think they also have books on cars of the 60s and 70s The books are a large format with a generous number of pages. There are plenty of color photos and most are close to half-page sized. Some photos are of contemporary show cars, others are vintage publicity or advertising illustrations. They're all great photos. The book also shows some color cards that have all the paint colors that were available for that year. The book is organized by year, then by manufacturer (GM, FoMoCo, etc.), and finally by division or marquis. The book isn't 100% comprehensive for each model though they do have information on most models. For example, I noticed a business coupe wasn't shown for one year but they showed one for that brand in a later year. I have a few of these general interest auto books and this would be amongst the better ones because it combines an expanded amount of text along with higher quality illustrations.

America's 1950s cars are loved all over the world, especially by people who grew up with them ir drove them brand new. Absolutely complete collection of ALL 1950 - 1959 Autos. Great gift for car buffs, mechanics, history lovers, and anyone who just loves the classic American Car... Bright lights, huge engines, and first class luxury all the way. High Quality paper, packed full of hundreds of photos, with great descriptions of each car and the flow of history nkt only of the Auto industry, but of the progress and feelings towards cars in the Golden Age of USA.

This book has fantastic information about the cars that we love in our early lives.

This "Cars of the Faboulas Fifties" book, is part of a series(50's, 60's and 70's cars). I saw all 3 at Costco, years ago. I, being frugal, only bought the 60's one. I enjoyed it so much, I tracked down the 70's and recently 50's version. These 3 are, IMO, a must for any "car guy" (or Gal). Lots of NICE photos, and illistrations,mostly factory images, I believe. All are unmodified, stock appearing cars. One drawback to looking at these books, you'l long for days gone by, when American Cars were KING and the factories offered SO MANY models and bodystyles!! Buy an AMERICAN CAR, today and restore our manufacturering base!

Excellent commentary on cars of the era and insightful comments on the era. Good illustrations and well organized.

Beautiful pictures, well detailed, book in new like condition, despite of listing as used. Shipped fast, well packed.

Wonderful, colorful book. Extensive compilation.

Got this for my Car enthusiast husband to complete a series of CARS through the decades. Find them interesting with the discussion of what was going on during the times the cars were manufactured. Great coffee table books.

Great cars and great photographs, good reading too.

A great book; I was/am very happy with it. I've already loaned it out a couple of times, so get a copy for yourself before my friends order theirs'. Thanks, Dave (in Colorado)

The book is very beautiful. My copy came with a small manufacturing defect. Two pasted pages that were damaged. The store shipped without proper protection, put in a simple carton with no internal protection. In this way the edges of the covers were mashed. I did not return because of the complexity of international shipping.

It brings memories of my childhood

This book is a lot of fun with the pictures, stories, tech details and introductory remarks for each yr.

Christmas gift hasn't been opened yet

This book is the perfect complement and completion to other books of cars from the 60's & 70's. It's great reading with interesting historical facts. I may even purchase Cars from the 40's & 30's now. Thanks again Amazon & the book seller.

I've loved having this book for awhile, and now am buying another to give as a gift. Some have said that this book is worthwhile mainly for the photos, which are certainly wonderful, but I found there to be great information on '50s cars as well. Can't recommend this book highly enough!

if you like 50's cars you will enjoy this book. lots of good photos and all domestic makes are covered. Not in great depth, but a good general overview. All my friends have this book and many of us have given one as a gift.

Enjoyed the book very much.

Great pictures and plenty of info. Super for pictorial reference. Great for nostalgia. Totally well written and well done.

This book is awsome. Got it for my husband 60th birthday party. The 1950's was the theme. It has so many pictures. And very detailed. I would very highly recommed this book.

alright

I have this book a number of years ago and got rid of it when we moved. Big mistake. It is just terrific.

Book was in excellent condition. Fast delivery. Very pleased , thanks, jeff_rsr.....

Best book for the 50's cars. 100% Satisfied!

Book is the primary guide for differentiating between years on 1950's American cars. Hard to find and I was lucky to have quick delivery and a book in great condition

I ordered this for my husband, our mechanic had a copy, he saw it and loved it!! It's his pride and joy now!!

I cannot image how a book about cars of the 50s could be anymore complete. The pictures are complete and the text is written lovingly about the subject. This book is a rare find.

Great pictures with some details about 50's cars Keep out on the table for friends to review. Great book for any car fan.

I bought this as a present for my father and we have all enjoyed the fine glossy ads and pictures of bygone times. This is a large heavy book.

Great history lesson on cars.

order it for my daddy .he said it was very good and the picture were big and easy to see. and came fast

beautiful pictures of old cars

Good reference for 50's cars. Made a good gift to a mechanic friend of mine.

A great book at a great price. Good dealer, too, as the book was delivered within a week of ordering.

Wonderful reference book and great gift idea for the man in my life, or yours!

Pics out to Infinity. GREAT for the money.

great book

If you like to dream of the cars of the past and remember those you one owned yourself. Then you will enloy this book.

I was very pleased with the book and the fast service. It was packed very well and in excellent condition as stated by the seller.

In my opinion, the most important U. S. cars of the 1950s, were the 1959 Wide-Track Pontiacs.

Condition of this book was as advertised "Like New". Condition of this book was excellent, very light wear on page edges.

husband enjoyed

If you want to learn about or remember the cars of the fifties you will love this book. It has fantastic photos and lots of hard to find info. But the real treat is that it covers every make for every year.

My husband first saw this book in a little cafe we frequent from time to time. They told him that it wasn't for sale, though many people have asked to buy it. I found it on Amazon and ordered it for him, and he is just delighted with it.

Very interesting book for an American classic car fan from Europe. A lot of good pictures and short, but interesting information about cars, companies, people and the great 50s. Every time You take it to hand, You discover something new.

Great book for the coffee table. Always have someone looking at when they come to visit. You will love the photos and stories behind these cars of the "Fab 50's"

Love the book a lot cars thank you the 50s were my years

Love it!

GREAT BOOK OF CARS THAT I LIKED WHEN I WAS A YOUNG BOY LIVING IN THE MIDWEST. I LOVE THE SHARP PHOTOS

Got this for my husband who is a car buff. We now have a 1955 Dodge LaFemme and he has had several other 1950's cars he has played with over the years. Lots of good pictures of those old cars....

very pleased with the book and the service

just what i wanted.memories!

The book 'Cars of the Fabulous Fifties' arrived in the shape as described in the ad - in Great Shape.

I reached the age of ten years old in September, 1950. However I had been an automobile "GEEK" (not a 1950's expression) beginning some few years earlier. My family's first new car after the War was a 1950 Ford Custom two door sedan. I was thrilled the day we brought it home for the first time. And I was actually permitted to drive it, the last mile or so, as we lived miles from any town or city and there wasn't much I could run into except for trees or shrubs. There was a 1934 Ford four door sedan in the family, but, I had never driven it, and for some reason never did. Since we lived on a farm I had actually been driving various farm vehicles since I was seven years old; two tractors, a Ford pickup, and a War surplus Dodge four wheel drive carryall. All of these were stick shifts. So this book really covers my formative years of automobile enthusiasm. Organized year by year and by each manufacturer the pictures and informative text are superb. The book is large, on good stock paper and well bound.

IF YOU LOVE "THE FABULOUS '50s", and, you love cars, then this is one book that you MUST own ! If you own, or have owned, a Rod or Custom based on a '50s car of any make, then this is one book that you MUST own ! If you've read my Reviews here on Amazon and have any faith at all in my Reviews and Recommendations, then this is one book that you MUST own ! Get the picture ? This book is not just a fantastic look at the cars of the fabulous fifties: It is a Pop Culture lesson in the History of the American Automobile and how it linked to our daily lives in those Jet Age, Post-War, Boomer years of the '50s...giving us the freedom of the open road, the ability to 'Cruise to the newly-built Drive-Ins, and, eventually, drive back home to our recently-developed suburban neighborhoods. The author, JAMES M. FLAMMANG, has been writing & editing books about cars for years, and this magnificent volume has over 416 pages with more than 1,600 photos that include great reproductions of 1950's auto ads, plus it also covers the facts, events, and, personalities of that dynamic time period. Be careful though: This is a large, coffee table size book that - if you leave it out where anybody can see it - may be swiped by one of your friends ! Everything in new cars that was the '50s is here for you to see & read about: Soaring fins, "variable ratio" steering, "Dual Airliner Reclining Seats", "tip toe" braking, "Twin Turbine Dynaflow", "Torsion-Aire" ride, quad headlights, the "Firedome 8", the famous "Step-Down" design, the "Weather Eye" heating system, the "Breezeway" sliding rear window, "Teletouch Drive", "Twin H-Power", "Wide-Track" design, Tri-Tone Paint, the new "Flight Deck" / "Interceptor" instrument panel, deep-cushioned, foam rubber seats, the smart "Jet-Scoop" hood...they're all in there ! WoW ! How did we live for so many years without any of that stuff before the '50s ?? Each year is showcased chronologically in individual chapters from 1950 to 1959, and they are all jam-packed with info on the cars from "The Big Three" - GM, Ford, Chrysler - and all of the independents made in the U.S.A: Muntz Jet, Edwards, Crosley, Hudson, Studebaker, Packard, Kaiser, Frazier, Nash, Willys, and many other vanished makes that were produced during that time. In addition, many celebrities of the fifties, as I mentioned above, are pictured including Jayne Mansfield, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Hopalong Cassidy, Patti Page, Roy Rogers, Grouch Marx, Debbie Reynolds, and many others. No, this is not a new book, I purchased (and still have) my original copy in 1995, and it has been re-issued since then. My cousin gave me a copy of the first re-issue that I've pictured the cover of here, the latest re-issue is a leather-bound volume. If it's not on sale at any of your local stores it's readily available here on Amazon. It is one of the Personal all-time favorite volumes in my Library, and I felt that it definitely needed to be featured here and brought to your attention. This is truly a book that you will return to time-after-time, just as I do, for research, information, and, just pure fun as you relive each exciting year-by-year look at one of the greatest periods in our history for the design, the art, and the power of the Amercan Automobile. The "Fabulous '50s" was a very special time that, like those vanished-makes listed above, will forever live in the hearts of those of us lucky enough to have lived then...and a time to learn from and appreciate if you didn't.

The Fifties was a great time for Detroit and the look of their products reflected the carmakers optimism for the good times that were sweeping over the middle classes during the decade. Never mind racial tensions and the Cold War didn't everybody deserve to drive around in a flamboyant dream on wheels. Books about autos of the period are steady sellers but I think this volume can't be beat. To get over sixteen hundred color photos and graphics in one book is pretty impressive. I like the editorial format, too, with each model getting a page per year. The mix of car company PR shots, period ads and graphics, dealer showroom and gas station photos plus the captions makes the pages sparkle. There is a very comprehensive index in the back, which makes Cars of the Fabulous 50s probably the best reference book available. I see that this 416 page all-color book is available at some amazing low prices. Clearly a bargain. Another book (by the same publisher) 'American Cars of the 1950s (ISBN 1412711568) covers the same ground but has an interesting twist in only using car graphics from ads and brochures for the picture content. It's also a square, chunky 320-page book. This publisher has also put out the same two books covering cars of the Sixties. ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

The Fifties was a great time for Detroit and the look of their products reflected the carmakers optimism for the good times that were sweeping over the middle classes during the decade. Never mind racial tensions and the Cold War didn't everybody deserve to drive around in a flamboyant dream on wheels. Books about autos of the period are steady sellers but I think this volume can't be beat. To get over sixteen hundred color photos and graphics in one book is pretty impressive. I like the editorial format, too, with each model getting a page per year. The mix of car company PR shots, period ads and graphics, dealer showroom and gas station photos plus the captions makes the pages sparkle. There is a very comprehensive index in the back, which makes Cars of the Fabulous 50s probably the best reference book available. Another book (by the same publisher) 'American Cars of the 1950s (ISBN 1412711568) covers the same ground but has an interesting twist in only using car graphics from ads and brochures for the images. It is also a square, chunky 320-page book. Also available are the same two book covering cars of the Sixties. ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

Great pictures. Some old dealership photos and pages from dealership catalogs showing multi car posters and other auto memorabilia. Nice displays for those that prefer looking at pictures and strolling down memory lane.

There are a number of books about the cars of the '50s, but this is the best of the many I've seen. It covers ALL the cars, not just some of the icons. The lead-in to each year is a thumbnail look at the life in America during the year in question. It also has a good ammount of dashboard and interior shots, along with car related photos (like famous people posing with their new car, gas stations, etc.). This series also has books covering, by decade, 1930-'70s.

I bought this book as a gift for my dad, so I can't say whether or not I personally liked it. I thought it was a perfect gift for my dad because it has lots of pictures and not a lot of text (my dad isn't big on reading). The most text it has is captions under the pictures. He seemed to enjoy it - he spent an hour or two rummaging through it, and he still pulls it out every now and then (which is something he doesn't usually do - once the book gets put away, it stays put away). So, if you prefer looking at pictures of cars from the fifties instead of reading about them, then this is a good book for you.

Basicly you get a hugh book full of lush high qulity pictures , each picture has little commentry text attached and all are arranged by year , make and model . Most of restored cars but also b&w oldies , advertising , promo etc. I would have liked to see more interior pictures of the cars as well as all round view of the same car and not many image of differnt cars ,but still this is a really great book for 50's cars and you'll surely enjoy browsing it .

This is a fantastic book for any fan of car shows in general and cars from the `50s in particular. It's a bit hefty at 416 pages, but I'd like to take it with me to the local summer car shows to learn more about the beautiful cars of the `50s as I'm looking at them. But it will be enough to curl up with this book in winter and have a virtual auto show with a virtual trip back in time as well. The blend of period history with great photos is a winning combination. Note: find a bargain price on the 1995 edition, it appears to be the same great content as the newer editions.