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Engines
The V-8 engine developed by GM in the late-1940s proved to be very successful and helped ignite the horsepower race, the second salvo of which was Chrysler's 1951 Hemi engine. -
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Passenger Cars Discontinued
Kaiser-Frazer Corporation was started in 1945 and acquired Willys-Overland Motors (maker of the Jeep) in 1953. Production of passenger cars was discontinued in 1955. -
Post World War II
After the Great Depression and World War II, the U.S. produced nearly three quarters of all automobiles in the world by 1950. -
Replacing Streetcars
By the late 1950s, the Chicago Transit Authority had replaced the city’s network of streetcars with buses. -
Three Biggest Car Companies
Ford, GM and Chrysler were named the Big Three of car production in the 1950s. -
Inadequate Roads
President Ike was elected and the Bureau of Public Roads admitted that 76% were inadequate. Roads were big enough for the new cars and trucks that were being manufactured. -
Jet Travel Begins
Jet passenger travel began. The De Havilland Comet was the world's first jet airliner. The first scheduled service began in May of 1952 between London and Johannesburg. -
Crosley Motors Takes Over Auto Production
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Chevy & Ford
- The Chevy Corvette and the Ford Thunderbird, introduced in 1953 and 1955, were designed to capture the sports car market.
- The Thunderbird grew in size in 1958 and evolved into a personal luxury car.
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Packard & Studebaker
Packard and Studebaker took over in 1954, but ended production of Packard-branded cars in 1958 and ceased all auto production in 1966. -
Congress Passed Act
Congress passed the “National System of Interstate and Defense Highway” Act. This plan called for 41,000 miles of new highway. -
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Known as the Interstate Decade
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Air Travel
- Tourist class fares made up 70% of all air travel.
- Paid for bar service was available to passengers and the seat pitch was around 36" to 38", roughly equivalent of to that of premium economy today.
- New class of travel was proposed at the annual IATA conference and agreed - economy class. Economy class was to offer passengers a reduction in the tourist class fare by 20%
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Test Roads
- Federal and state governments, auto manufacturers, and drivers built a 7 mile test road in Illinois for $27 million.
- They tested bridges and road ways. This helped engineers design best versions of roads and highways
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Different Types of Cars Introduced
- Pony cars were introduced with the Ford Mustang in 1964. This car has sporty looks with a long hood, small rear deck, and a small rear seat.
- Muscle cars were also introduced in 1964 with the Pontiac GTO.
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Airline Features
Over 200 daily feature length movies are being shown by the airline industry, along with a daily food menu for first class -
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards required shoulder belts for front passengers, front head restraints, energy-absorbing steering columns, ignition-key warning systems, anti-theft steering column/transmission locks, side marker lights and padded interiors starting in 1968. -
Clean Air Act of 1963 and the Vehicle Air Pollution and Control Act of 1965
Emission controls began being instituted.
