World War II greatly impacted nearly every industry in America, not the least of which was the automobile industry. Automobile design finally emerged from wartime with the 1948-1949 model year. General Motors’ Cadillac and Oldsmobile makes were the first to introduce postwar modern designs in America, including the ultra-luxury Cadillac Eldorado, bringing back luxury after a long absence. Elsewhere in the world, Ferrari, Lancia, and others began producing automobiles again around the same time.

Ford first produced its wildly popular F-Series truck in 1948, and continuing production of Jeeps, a wartime military creation, for the civilian market. Other companies created competing 4×4 vehicles, although they were generally a bit slower to catch on. The modern SUV styles were first created in the 1960s; the phrase “sport utility vehicle” itself was coined by Toyota in 1960. The Land Rover was first made in 1970.

Engine size and power rose throughout the 1950s, allowing for higher vehicle speeds. Car body designs generally became more artistic rather than simply utilitarian. The most popular cars of this era include the Mini and the Fiat in Europe. Perhaps surprisingly, Germany’s Volkswagen Beetle survived the fall of Nazism, and enjoyed success worldwide, especially in the Americas. Other makes, such as Chevrolet, produced highly successful models during the 1950s. The ’55 Chevy was an especially popular model that is still prized by collectors today.

In the 1960s, the automobile capitol of America, Detroit, began to worry about foreign competition. European automakers were using supreme technology, and new Asian companies, particularly in Japan, were beginning to enter the market as serious competitors. Foreign companies like Suzuki began building autos in the 1950s. General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford all tried producing small cars to compete with these foreign names, but imports swept the nation. The 1969 Datsun 240Z was one of the first Japanese cars to be a hit with the American public. Elsewhere, smaller names were being consolidated into auto conglomerates. Small Italian automakers like Maserati, Ferrari, and Lancia all found themselves under new ownership by the decade’s end, further decreasing the already small field of competition in the auto industry.

The Ford Mustang appeared in 1964, followed by Chevrolet’s competing model the Camaro in 1967. The Mustang would become the best-selling car of the era, and also the most collected by auto enthusiasts. Both models are still popular with collectors today.

In the 1970s, the oil crisis, new emissions rules, imports from Europe and Japan, and a lack of innovation wreaked havoc on American automakers. Small imports outsold American cars throughout the decade, including the Toyota Corolla introduced in 1966, which became the best-selling car of all time.

The style types seen in today’s cars, like the hatchback, minivan, and SUV, are relatively recent concepts. In fact, these designs simply weren’t a part of auto manufacturers’ vocabulary until the past few decades. The SUV didn’t enter automobile terminology until 1960, although the movement grew out of Jeep and other military vehicles developed during World War II for the military.

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Category: Automotive
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