1955 was a turning point for global car buyers: post‑war prosperity, new road networks, and stylistic shifts all helped shape what people chose to drive across different regions. That year’s models reflected changing tastes as manufacturers expanded production and explored export markets.
There are 21 Popular Cars in 1955, ranging from the Austin A30 to the Volkswagen Beetle. For each model you’ll find below the Manufacturer,Sales (1955) (units),Market/Region so you can compare who sold what where and see the range from compact city cars to mass‑market favorites — you’ll find below.
How were the cars on this list selected?
The list is based primarily on available 1955 sales figures and market presence: models that registered notable unit sales or clear regional impact were included. Where possible, national and export data were cross‑checked to reflect both popularity and commercial significance in 1955.
What does “Sales (1955) (units)” tell me and how reliable is it?
“Sales (1955) (units)” indicates reported vehicle registrations or manufacturer shipments for that calendar year; numbers may combine domestic sales and documented exports and can vary by source, so treat them as the best available historical estimates rather than exact counts.
Popular Cars in 1955
| Model | Manufacturer | Sales (1955) (units) | Market/Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Bel Air | Chevrolet | 520,000 | U.S. |
| Chevrolet 210 | Chevrolet | 360,000 | U.S. |
| Chevrolet One-Fifty | Chevrolet | 300,000 | U.S. |
| Ford Customline | Ford | 280,000 | U.S. |
| Ford Mainline | Ford | 180,000 | U.S. |
| Ford Fairlane | Ford | 310,000 | U.S. |
| Ford Thunderbird | Ford | 16,155 | U.S. |
| Plymouth Belvedere | Plymouth (Chrysler) | 241,000 | U.S. |
| Plymouth Savoy | Plymouth (Chrysler) | 200,000 | U.S. |
| Dodge Coronet | Dodge (Chrysler) | 150,000 | U.S. |
| Oldsmobile 88 | Oldsmobile (GM) | 179,000 | U.S. |
| Buick Special | Buick (GM) | 208,000 | U.S. |
| Chevrolet Corvette | Chevrolet | 700 | U.S. |
| Nash Rambler | Nash | 74,000 | U.S. |
| Studebaker Champion | Studebaker | 71,000 | U.S. |
| Volkswagen Beetle | Volkswagen | 279,000 | Global |
| Morris Minor | Morris | 81,000 | U.K. |
| Austin A30 | Austin | 70,000 | U.K. |
| Jaguar XK140 | Jaguar | 3,200 | U.K./U.S. |
| Mercedes-Benz 300SL | Mercedes-Benz | 300 | Europe/Global |
| Ford Popular/Anglia (UK combined) | Ford (UK) | 150,000 | U.K./Europe |
Images and Descriptions
Chevrolet Bel Air
Full-size icon of 1955’s “Tri-Five” redesign, the Bel Air combined fresh styling, available V8 power and broad dealer support. Extremely popular that year; sales figure is an estimate based on factory production summaries and period sales reports.
Chevrolet 210
Mid-trim in Chevrolet’s 1955 lineup, the 210 offered modern styling and value, capturing family buyers who wanted new looks without top-trim price. Sales shown are an estimate from period production breakdowns and contemporary sources.
Chevrolet One-Fifty
Entry-level full-size Chevrolet in 1955, the One-Fifty appealed to fleet and budget buyers. Plain-trim practicality and low price drove strong volumes; annual figure is an estimated production-based number.
Ford Customline
Ford’s mid-range 1955 offering, the Customline blended modern restyling with familiar mechanicals. It attracted mainstream buyers and fleet customers, making it one of Ford’s better-selling nameplates in 1955 (sales estimate from historical records).
Ford Mainline
Ford’s entry-level 1955 model, Mainline served budget-conscious buyers and fleet sales. Its conservative design and value positioning produced solid volumes; the number is an estimated 1955 production figure from period sources.
Ford Fairlane
Reintroduced as a full-size name in 1955 with new styling and upscale trim, the Fairlane appealed to buyers wanting a premium Ford without moving to Lincoln. Strong showroom interest made it a notable seller (estimate).
Ford Thunderbird
Two-seat personal luxury roadster introduced in 1955; the Thunderbird created a new niche and received extensive press coverage. Production in its launch year totaled about 16,155 units, reflecting strong demand for its sporty-luxury concept.
Plymouth Belvedere
Plymouth’s stylish mid/full-size model in 1955, the Belvedere combined attractive styling and competitive pricing, winning family buyers and showroom attention. Sales figure is an estimate from Chrysler period production reports.
Plymouth Savoy
Value-oriented Plymouth full-size trim that sold well to budget-minded families and fleets in 1955. Practical features and competitive pricing drove volumes; number here is an estimated 1955 production total.
Dodge Coronet
Dodge’s full-size Coronet in 1955 offered new styling and V8 power options, making it a strong seller among mid-market buyers. Sales shown are an estimate based on Chrysler sales breakdowns and period reporting.
Oldsmobile 88
A perennial favorite, the Olds 88 combined performance and comfort in 1955; known for Rocket V8 power and roomy interiors. Its strong sales placed it among GM’s best-sellers (figure presented as an estimated production-based number).
Buick Special
Buick’s mid-priced model offered smooth performance, upscale trim and GM mechanicals that appealed to buyers seeking near-luxury. It was a popular 1955 nameplate; sales number is an estimate from GM production summaries.
Chevrolet Corvette
America’s emerging sports car, the 1955 Corvette helped establish the model with bright press coverage and a new small-block V8 option. Low production in 1955 (approximately 700 units) made it notable despite modest volumes.
Nash Rambler
Compact Rambler was a strong-seller in 1955’s growing small-car market thanks to economy, practicality and early compact innovation. Figure is an estimated 1955 sales number based on Nash historical records.
Studebaker Champion
Studebaker’s Champion combined distinctive styling and compact/full-size compromises that appealed to value-minded buyers in 1955. Sales shown are an estimate derived from Studebaker production and sales summaries.
Volkswagen Beetle
The Beetle continued rapid postwar growth by 1955, popular worldwide for economy and reliability. The figure is an estimated 1955 worldwide production/sales total from VW historical production data.
Morris Minor
Britain’s practical small car remained a popular family vehicle in 1955 due to versatility and affordability. The number is an estimated 1955 production figure drawn from British car industry records.
Austin A30
Compact and economical, the Austin A30 appealed to British buyers seeking low running costs in 1955. Sales estimate comes from manufacturer production data and contemporary registration statistics.
Jaguar XK140
Luxury sports car successor to the XK120, the XK140 was praised for improved comfort and performance in 1955. It generated significant enthusiast and press interest; production that year is an estimated figure from Jaguar records.
Mercedes-Benz 300SL
The 300SL (Gullwing/coupe and roadster variants) had huge prestige and press coverage in 1955 despite limited numbers. Its distinctive engineering and racing pedigree made it a cultural icon; production estimate reflects low-volume exclusivity.
Ford Popular/Anglia (UK combined)
Ford’s smaller British models (Popular/Anglia family) were mass-market best-sellers in 1955 UK markets, favored for affordability and dealer reach. Combined sales figure is an estimated regional production total for 1955.
