..Back when American cars had CHARACTER !

[phalanx]

.
   ..And don't forget Crosley.  Cars available in 2 dr sedan or wagon, with a very unique 4 cyl engine.

  For 1949-1950, they produced a sports model, which one owner DROVE to sebring, and won his class in the race, pictured here, that same roadster.
  Crosley was also known for producing radios and refrigerators..

Very good radios, i have my grandmothers old cabinet tube type. And it still works.

[Bob Riebe]

   Studebaker built a special model for 1955..  It was called the "Speedster".. A kind of answer to the Corvette and Mustang, I suppose.

Probably aimed at the Chrysler 300 crowd which at the time was the car with the highest performance; it totally dominated NASCAR for several years.

[Bob Riebe]

...
..  And a bit later, the 1963 Studebaker Avanti.

This car probably greatly influenced the long hood, short trunk style of the Mustang; had Studebaker kept going for a couple more years, they would have been heads-up competition.

[ironglow]

probably more of competition for the t bird. The vette was more of a car targeted at first at the mga and triumps ect. It was introduced the same year in 55 as was the t bird. It sure wasnt targeted at the mustang because the first mustangs hit the street in late 64 as 65 models. Styling of that Studebaker  was way ahead of its day though. Most of the cars of that period were just boxes

   I distinctly recall the Corvette being introduced in 1954, because that was my senior year in high school.
 
  Although I consider the 1954 Corvette, to be the best looking Corvette, it wasn't the tire screecher, that la ter models were, being powered by a triple deuce 6 cyl engine...backed up by a 2-speed "powerslide" tranny.

  This white one is exactly like the first one I ever saw. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1954-chevrolet-corvette/
   
  BTW; The word "tranny" meant something different than it does now!   

[Lloyd Smale]

I looked and we were both wrong they made 300 1953s. ill stand by my 55 statement though. It wasnt a vette till they dropped a small block into it. Then it became a performer. It wasnt till the duel carbed 283s in 57 that it became a real muscle car. 

probably more of competition for the t bird. The vette was more of a car targeted at first at the mga and triumps ect. It was introduced the same year in 55 as was the t bird. It sure wasnt targeted at the mustang because the first mustangs hit the street in late 64 as 65 models. Styling of that Studebaker  was way ahead of its day though. Most of the cars of that period were just boxes

   I distinctly recall the Corvette being introduced in 1954, because that was my senior year in high school.
 
  Although I consider the 1954 Corvette, to be the best looking Corvette, it wasn't the tire screecher, that la ter models were, being powered by a triple deuce 6 cyl engine...backed up by a 2-speed "powerslide" tranny.

  This white one is exactly like the first one I ever saw. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1954-chevrolet-corvette/
   
  BTW; The word "tranny" meant something different than it does now!   

[ironglow]

I looked and we were both wrong they made 300 1953s. ill stand by my 55 statement though. It wasnt a vette till they dropped a small block into it. Then it became a performer. It wasnt till the duel carbed 283s in 57 that it became a real muscle car. 

probably more of competition for the t bird. The vette was more of a car targeted at first at the mga and triumps ect. It was introduced the same year in 55 as was the t bird. It sure wasnt targeted at the mustang because the first mustangs hit the street in late 64 as 65 models. Styling of that Studebaker  was way ahead of its day though. Most of the cars of that period were just boxes

   I distinctly recall the Corvette being introduced in 1954, because that was my senior year in high school.
 
  Although I consider the 1954 Corvette, to be the best looking Corvette, it wasn't the tire screecher, that la ter models were, being powered by a triple deuce 6 cyl engine...backed up by a 2-speed "powerslide" tranny.

  This white one is exactly like the first one I ever saw. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1954-chevrolet-corvette/
   
  BTW; The word "tranny" meant something different than it does now!   

  I was just going by what GM called it when it was introduced.  Being a high school senior, I was suitably impressed with it..and I still think it was the coolest Corvette ever.

[ironglow]

...
..  And a bit later, the 1963 Studebaker Avanti.

This car probably greatly influenced the long hood, short trunk style of the Mustang; had Studebaker kept going for a couple more years, they would have been heads-up competition.

   But you know the basics of competition..  the "Big Three" were constantly on guard to squash any competition.

   They sure did Tucker a job...  And speaking of Tucker..here's his 1948 model.  Lycoming air cooled opposed 6...in the rear, over the driving wheels.
  That center headlight, turned with the wheels when steering around curves..

[Lloyd Smale]

make mine a 67 427 tri power coupe. Close ratio 4 speed and 488s. THAT WAS A CAR. It was the best combo of beauty and performance that ever came out of GM. It should sit in a Museaum as a piece of art. That car WAS AMERICA. Raw freedom.

I looked and we were both wrong they made 300 1953s. ill stand by my 55 statement though. It wasnt a vette till they dropped a small block into it. Then it became a performer. It wasnt till the duel carbed 283s in 57 that it became a real muscle car. 

probably more of competition for the t bird. The vette was more of a car targeted at first at the mga and triumps ect. It was introduced the same year in 55 as was the t bird. It sure wasnt targeted at the mustang because the first mustangs hit the street in late 64 as 65 models. Styling of that Studebaker  was way ahead of its day though. Most of the cars of that period were just boxes

   I distinctly recall the Corvette being introduced in 1954, because that was my senior year in high school.
 
  Although I consider the 1954 Corvette, to be the best looking Corvette, it wasn't the tire screecher, that la ter models were, being powered by a triple deuce 6 cyl engine...backed up by a 2-speed "powerslide" tranny.

  This white one is exactly like the first one I ever saw. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1954-chevrolet-corvette/
   
  BTW; The word "tranny" meant something different than it does now!   

  I was just going by waht GM called it when it was introduced.  Being a high school senior, I was suitably impressed with it..and I still think it was the coolest Corvette ever.