The 1950s reshaped automotive performance as manufacturers and private builders chased speed on racetracks and public highways. Advances in aerodynamics, lighter materials and engine tuning produced machines that pushed limits and shaped the decade’s racing and road-car culture.
There are 19 Fastest Cars of the 1950s, ranging from Aston Martin DB4 GT to Shadoff Special Streamliner. Each entry is organized with Year(s),Category,Top speed (km/h) so you can compare production models, race cars and one-off streamliners at a glance — you’ll find the full list and details below.
How accurate are the top speed figures listed?
Top speeds come from a mix of manufacturer claims, period test runs and later verification; results depend on testing methods, driver, altitude and tires, so treat numbers as well-sourced estimates rather than absolute guarantees, and check notes for measured runs versus claimed figures.
Could any of these cars still reach their original top speeds today?
Some can, if properly restored and set up with compatible fuel, tires and brakes, but many require expert tuning and safety upgrades; rare or experimental cars may be fragile or non-street-legal, so attempting original top speeds is best done on closed tracks with experienced teams.
Fastest Cars of the 1950s
| Model | Year(s) | Category | Top speed (km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar XK120 | 1950–1954 | Production | 201 |
| Pegaso Z-102 | 1951–1958 | Production | 243 |
| Mercedes-Benz 300SL | 1954–1957 | Production | 263 |
| Chrysler C-300 | 1955 | Production | 209 |
| Ferrari 410 Superamerica | 1955–1959 | Production | 260 |
| Austin-Healey 100S | 1955 | Production | 212 |
| Ferrari 250 GT TdF | 1956–1959 | Production | 240 |
| Chevrolet Corvette C1 (283 FI) | 1957–1959 | Production | 212 |
| Aston Martin DB4 GT | 1959 | Production | 245 |
| Facel Vega HK500 | 1959 | Production | 237 |
| Ferrari 375 Plus | 1954 | Racing | 280 |
| Jaguar D-Type | 1954–1957 | Racing | 282 |
| Mercedes-Benz W196 | 1954–1955 | Racing | 300 |
| Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR | 1955 | Racing | 290 |
| Maserati 450S | 1956–1958 | Racing | 305 |
| Railton Mobil Special | 1950–1959 | Land-speed record | 634 |
| Shadoff Special Streamliner | 1953 | Land-speed record | 419 |
| Austin-Healey 100 Streamliner | 1954 | Land-speed record | 310 |
| MG EX181 | 1957, 1959 | Land-speed record | 411 |
Images and Descriptions
Jaguar XK120
Named for its claimed 120 mph top speed, the XK120 was a post-war sensation. A factory-standard roadster was officially timed at 200.5 km/h (124.6 mph) in 1949 on the Jabbeke highway in Belgium, making it the world’s fastest production car at the dawn of the decade.
Pegaso Z-102
A Spanish supercar unicorn, the Z-102 was an engineering marvel with a quad-cam V8 engine. Though production was tiny, a factory-prepared version was recorded reaching 243 km/h during a 1953 road test, briefly making it the world’s fastest road car.
Mercedes-Benz 300SL
With its iconic gull-wing doors and race-derived, fuel-injected straight-six engine, the 300SL was the fastest production car of its time. Fitted with the optional high-speed final drive, it could reach a blistering 263 km/h, a truly incredible feat for a 1950s road car.
Chrysler C-300
Considered by many to be the first American muscle car, the C-300 featured a potent 300-hp Hemi V8 engine. It offered incredible performance for a large American car, dominating NASCAR and capable of a top speed of 209 km/h right from the showroom floor.
Ferrari 410 Superamerica
The ultimate road-going Ferrari of the 1950s, the 410 Superamerica was a bespoke GT for wealthy clients. Its large 5.0-litre Lampredi V12 engine produced immense power, pushing the luxurious coupe to top speeds of around 260 km/h, making it a king of the autostrada.
Austin-Healey 100S
A purpose-built competition version of the standard Austin-Healey 100, the ‘S’ for Sebring featured a lightweight aluminum body and a more powerful engine. With only about 50 made, this potent club racer was capable of exceeding 210 km/h and had success in international racing.
Ferrari 250 GT TdF
Dominating the Tour de France Automobile race, this dual-purpose GT could be driven to the track, raced, and driven home. Its legendary Colombo V12 engine and Scaglietti bodywork allowed for top speeds of around 240 km/h, blending racing pedigree with road usability.
Chevrolet Corvette C1 (283 FI)
The 1957 model, equipped with the optional ‘Ramjet’ fuel-injected 283-cubic-inch V8, transformed the Corvette into a true sports car. This potent engine allowed America’s two-seater to break the 210 km/h barrier, establishing its performance credentials for decades to come.
Aston Martin DB4 GT
A lighter, more powerful, race-focused version of the beautiful DB4, the GT was a true brute. Introduced at the very end of the decade, its 3.7-litre straight-six engine propelled it to 245 km/h, making it a serious challenger for the title of fastest road car.
Facel Vega HK500
The epitome of French elegance and American muscle, the Facel Vega HK500 combined a chic Parisian body with a massive Chrysler V8 engine. It was a favorite of celebrities and known for its effortless high-speed cruising, reaching a top speed of 237 km/h in contemporary tests.
Ferrari 375 Plus
Built to win at Le Mans, the 375 Plus was a brute-force machine with a massive 4.9-litre V12 engine. With immense torque and power, it was capable of speeds up to 280 km/h on the Mulsanne Straight and secured Ferrari a victory at the 1954 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Jaguar D-Type
An icon of endurance racing, the D-Type used aerodynamic principles from the aviation industry to conquer Le Mans three times. Its sleek body and powerful straight-six engine allowed it to hit 282 km/h on the Mulsanne Straight in 1955, a stunning speed for a circuit racer.
Mercedes-Benz W196
This dominant Formula 1 car came in two forms: open-wheel and a stunning ‘Streamliner’ body. The slippery, enclosed-wheel version was used on high-speed circuits like Reims, where Juan Manuel Fangio piloted it to victory at speeds approaching 300 km/h.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR
Not a converted 300SL but a Formula 1 car in sports car clothing, the 300 SLR was a technical titan. It was capable of reaching 290 km/h and famously carried Stirling Moss to a record-breaking victory at the 1955 Mille Miglia, cementing its place in motorsport legend.
Maserati 450S
A beastly sports-racer powered by a thunderous 4.5-litre V8, the 450S was built to beat Ferrari. Known for its immense power and speed, it was one of the fastest cars of its era, hitting speeds over 300 km/h on the long straights of Le Mans.
Railton Mobil Special
Driven by John Cobb, this twin-engine behemoth held the absolute world land speed record throughout the entire 1950s. Its 1947 two-way average of 634.39 km/h at Bonneville Salt Flats remained unbeaten until the 1960s, a testament to its incredible pre-jet-era engineering.
Shadoff Special Streamliner
A stunning example of a 1950s Bonneville ‘Lakester’, the Shadoff Special was a purpose-built streamliner powered by a modified Chrysler Hemi engine. It set multiple class records and achieved a one-way top speed of 418.9 km/h on the salt flats, showcasing privateer ingenuity.
Austin-Healey 100 Streamliner
To promote the brand, Donald Healey created a specially-bodied, supercharged streamliner based on the Austin-Healey 100. At the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1954, it set numerous international class records, achieving an incredible one-way speed of 309.6 km/h with a 2.7-litre engine.
MG EX181
Nicknamed the ‘Roaring Rainforest’, this tiny MG streamliner was designed for class records. Driven by Stirling Moss and later Phil Hill at Bonneville, its super-aerodynamic teardrop shape allowed it to reach an astonishing 410.5 km/h in 1959 with just a 1.5-litre supercharged engine.
