In the immediate aftermath of World War II, carmakers around the world were restarting production, converting war plants back to civilian models and responding to a hungry market. 1946 was a transition year when designs from the late 1930s mixed with new postwar demand, producing a diverse set of vehicles across countries and factories.
There are 21 Cars Made in 1946, ranging from Buick Super to Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1). For each model you’ll find below its Country, Production 1946 (units), and Engine (L) / power (hp), presented so you can compare origins, output and mechanical specs at a glance — you’ll find below the full list and data table.
Does this list include every vehicle produced in 1946 worldwide?
The list aims to be comprehensive for notable passenger cars and mass-production models of 1946, but it may not capture every low-volume coachbuilt, prototype or regional microcar; where available, numbers reflect manufacturer or archival records rather than exhaustive registries.
How accurate are the 1946 production figures and engine specs?
Production and engine figures come from manufacturer archives, period reports and automotive historians; many entries are exact, but some 1946 numbers are estimates or rounded due to postwar record gaps, and notes are provided where figures are uncertain.
Cars Made in 1946
| Make & Model | Country | Production 1946 (units) | Engine (L) / power (hp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Fleetmaster | USA | 400,000 | 3.5 L / 90 hp |
| Chevrolet Stylemaster | USA | 200,000 | 3.5 L / 90 hp |
| Ford Super Deluxe | USA | 350,000 | 3.9 L / 100 hp |
| Ford Deluxe | USA | 200,000 | 3.9 L / 95 hp |
| Ford Pickup (1946) | USA | 150,000 | 3.9 L / 95 hp |
| Plymouth Special Deluxe | USA | 300,000 | 3.6 L / 95 hp |
| Dodge Custom | USA | 200,000 | 3.8 L / 95 hp |
| Mercury Eight | USA | 120,000 | 4.1 L / 110 hp |
| Buick Super | USA | 120,000 | 4.1 L / 110 hp |
| Cadillac Series 62 | USA | 50,000 | 5.7 L / 135 hp |
| Pontiac Torpedo | USA | 150,000 | 4.1 L / 100 hp |
| Chrysler Windsor | USA | 100,000 | 4.1 L / 100 hp |
| Oldsmobile Series 76 | USA | 80,000 | 3.8 L / 95 hp |
| Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1) | Germany | 2,000 | 1.0 L / 25 hp |
| Mercedes-Benz 170V | Germany | 8,000 | 1.7 L / 38 hp |
| Citroën Traction Avant 11CV | France | 30,000 | 1.9 L / 65 hp |
| Renault 4CV | France | 1,500 | 0.8 L / 17 hp |
| Fiat 500 “Topolino” | Italy | 20,000 | 0.6 L / 13 hp |
| Fiat 1100 | Italy | 50,000 | 1.1 L / 38 hp |
| Lancia Ardea | Italy | 10,000 | 1.0 L / 35 hp |
| Morris Eight Series E | UK | 25,000 | 1.0 L / 33 hp |
Images and Descriptions
Chevrolet Fleetmaster
Large-volume postwar Chevrolet introduced for 1946 model year; Fleetmaster was the more upscale series and became one of America’s common new cars in 1946, noted for its rugged inline-six and broad dealer availability.
Chevrolet Stylemaster
Entry-level Chevrolet for 1946, the Stylemaster used the same reliable six-cylinder powertrain as the Fleetmaster but with simpler trim. It represented GM’s mass-market offering as civilian production ramped up after wartime limits.
Ford Super Deluxe
Ford’s top civilian line in 1946, the Super Deluxe continued the prewar body with modest updates. It was produced in large numbers as Ford switched from wartime output to consumer cars, notable for the flathead V8.
Ford Deluxe
Mid-range Ford model in 1946 that shared the Super Deluxe’s chassis and drivetrain but with simpler trim. It was a common sight on American roads as civilian auto production resumed in earnest after WWII.
Ford Pickup (1946)
Light-duty Ford pickups returned to civilian service in 1946 using Ford’s proven flathead V8 or inline-six options. These work trucks were important for postwar rebuilding and farm use across the United States.
Plymouth Special Deluxe
Plymouth’s Special Deluxe was a best-selling, value-packed passenger car in 1946 with a smooth inline-six. It bridged prewar styling and postwar demand, offering practical transportation to returning servicemen and families.
Dodge Custom
Dodge resumed civilian car production in 1946 with the Custom (and Deluxe) series, carrying over prewar designs and sturdy engines. The Custom was a common mid-market American large car that year.
Mercury Eight
Mercury’s Eight returned in 1946 as Ford’s near-luxury offering, featuring a larger flathead V8 and comfortable appointments. It appealed to buyers wanting something upscale but more affordable than Cadillac.
Buick Super
Buick’s straight-eight Super was a popular 1946 model offering smooth performance and roomy interiors. As part of GM’s postwar lineup, it combined prewar engineering with renewed civilian production capacity.
Cadillac Series 62
Cadillac’s postwar Series 62 reintroduced full-size luxury to the market in 1946. With a big V8 and lavish trim, it represented America’s return to upscale motoring after years of wartime austerity.
Pontiac Torpedo
Pontiac’s Torpedo/streamlined models were produced in 1946 as part of GM’s recovery. Featuring straight-eight power and roomy coachwork, Pontiacs were popular family cars with a sportier image within GM’s line-up.
Chrysler Windsor
Chrysler’s Windsor returned in 1946 as a comfortable, well-built large car. It carried over prewar engineering and supplied buyers with a durable straight-six or inline engine as civilian models resumed production.
Oldsmobile Series 76
Oldsmobile resumed prewar series in 1946 with the Series 76 among its offerings. Known for reliability and roomy interiors, these models helped replenish the U.S. car market during the immediate postwar year.
Volkswagen Beetle (Type 1)
Small-scale Beetle production restarted in 1946 under Allied control; numbers were still modest as factories recovered. The Type 1’s simple rear-engine layout made it suitable for early postwar motoring in Germany and beyond.
Mercedes-Benz 170V
Mercedes-Benz restarted civilian 170V production in 1946 as one of the first German cars back in series production. The conservative, reliable 170V was used widely for taxis, government service and private transport.
Citroën Traction Avant 11CV
Citroën’s innovative front-wheel-drive Traction Avant resumed broad production in 1946. As a prewar design with advanced handling, it was central to French motoring recovery and popular among professionals and families.
Renault 4CV
Renault began very limited production of the 4CV late in 1946; this tiny rear-engined car would become crucial to French motorization. Initial 1946 numbers were small as tooling and factories were retooled after the war.
Fiat 500 “Topolino”
Fiat’s Topolino continued to be built in 1946, supplying affordable transport for devastated Italy. The tiny two-seater’s economical engine and compact size made it practical for narrow streets and tight budgets.
Fiat 1100
The Fiat 1100 resumed production in 1946 as a small family car offering modern unitary bodywork and modest performance. It was an important model in Italy’s rapid postwar recovery for private and taxi use.
Lancia Ardea
Lancia resumed production of the compact Ardea in 1946, appreciated for its engineering finesse and independent suspension. It served buyers wanting refined small-car alternatives during postwar austerity.
Morris Eight Series E
Morris restarted small-car production in 1946 with the updated Eight Series E, a practical and affordable British family car. It used tried-and-true mechanics and helped meet pent-up civilian demand after the war.
