6. Chevrolet Corvette
The 1953 Chevrolet Corvette is a car known worldwide for its iconic status. Even though the first generation, called the C1, might not be as recognizable to everyone, true car lovers hold it dear.
Many assume all Corvettes had a V8 engine, but the C1 actually ran on a straight six until 1957 when it got the V8 upgrade.
This version came with a two-speed automatic transmission, the only one Chevy had that could handle the big engine. Its lightweight fiberglass body and sleek two-seater convertible design made it quite charming.
Initially, the Corvette didn’t sell too quickly, but it started something big. Its later versions became legends, paving the way for the Corvette to become the iconic line of cars we know today.
Overview:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model Year | 1953 (Only year for the first generation) |
| Purpose | Sports car |
| Body Style | Two-door convertible |
| Engine Type | Front-mounted, inline-6 (straight-6) |
| Displacement | 235.5 cu in (3,898 cc) |
| Horsepower | 150 hp (112 kW) @ 4,200 rpm |
| Torque | 220 lb-ft (298 Nm) @ 2,800 rpm |
| Transmission | 2-speed Powerglide automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Top Speed | Over 100 mph (161 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) | Approximately 15 seconds |
| Chassis | Perimeter frame with fiberglass body panels |
| Suspension | Independent front suspension with coil springs, solid rear axle with leaf springs |
| Brakes | Drum brakes on all four wheels |
| Curb Weight | 3,070 lbs (1,392 kg) |
| Length | 177.3 in (4,499 mm) |
| Width | 64.4 in (1,636 mm) |
| Height | 53.4 in (1,356 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 102.0 in (2,591 mm) |
7. Ford F100
The Ford F100 gained legendary status for its nearly indestructible build. It holds the title of the best-selling and longest-running line of Ford trucks ever.
Introduced in 1952, the F100 paved the way for the iconic F150, the most famous of the bunch, with over 40 million F-series trucks sold in total.
The F100 boasted power brakes, an adjustable bench seat for up to 3 people, an optional automatic transmission, and seatbelts in later models.
Under the hood, it packed either a 100hp flathead V8 or a 101hp straight-six engine, offering plenty of power for heavy-duty work.
Overview:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model Year | 1952 |
| Purpose | Pickup truck |
| Body Style | Two-door regular cab |
| Engine Type | Inline-6 (straight-6) |
| Displacement | 239 cu in (3.9 L) |
| Horsepower | 101 hp (75 kW) at 3,600 rpm |
| Torque | 190 lb-ft (258 Nm) at 1,800 rpm |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Top Speed | Approximately 65 mph (105 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) | Approximately 20 seconds |
| Chassis | Body-on-frame construction |
| Suspension | Leaf springs on both front and rear axles |
| Brakes | Drum brakes on all four wheels |
| Curb Weight | Approximately 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg) |
| Length | 189.5 in (4,813 mm) |
| Width | 76.5 in (1,943 mm) |
| Height | 73.5 in (1,867 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 116 in (2,946 mm) |