This past weekend the USPS released the “America On The Move: Sporty Cars” stamps in Detroit, MI. These five .37-cent commemortive stamps feature some interesting vehicles from America’s past.
- 1952 Nash-Healey
Nash-Healey was produced from 1951 until 1954, at which time Nash Motors became a divison of the American Motors Division. The Nash-Healey was the first American sports car to be produced in 20 years, most likely due to the economic climate created by WWII. The cost of a Nash-Healey was $4,721-$5,899.
No Nash-Healeys were made from April, 1951 until January, 1952, when an entirely new roadster body was created by Pinin Farina of Turin, Italy. Interesting enough, a Nash-Healey took first place in its class (behind a Ferrari and a Talbot) and third among all entries in the 1952 LeMans sports car race in France. Of the 58 cars that had started, only 17 finished. Now that’s a sports car!
- 1953 Chevrolet Corvette
The ’53 Corvette came with a starting price of $3,500. It featured an in-line 6 cyclinder and 2-speed automatic transmission. This is the first appearance of what became America’s longlasting idea of a sportscar.
Only two Regular Production Options were available, a heater and an AM radio. The first Corvette was a sales disaster as its high price (more than a Cadillac or Jaguar) and low performance made it far from desirable. A mere 183 were sold in 1953 out of 300 built.
- 1953 Studebaker Starliner
By 1953 Studebaker was in the throws of increasing financial hardship. Ballooning labor costs were realized, as Studebaker never had an official United Auto Workers strike. Workers and retirees were among the highest paid in the automotive industry. Quality control issues existed and a new car war between Ford and General Motors in the early 1950s wreaked havoc on Studebaker’s balance sheet.
But all Americans saw was an economical, new look with power. Priced at $2,213-$2,502 and boosting a V-8 power plant, this 120-horsepower sports car helped Studebaker stay in competition with it’s American rivals.
- 1954 Kaiser Darrin
435 Kaiser Darrin sports cars were manufactured in 1954. It was the first automobile to have a fiberglass body. A two-seater featuring retractable doors that slid forward into the front fenders; a unique pointed, compact grille; long sloping lines; and a three-position Landau top.
Howard “Dutch” Darrin came from Packard fame, while entrepreneur Henry J. Kaiser was known for his sand and gravel empire, among other things. Poor sales of the Kaiser Darrin caused Kaiser to rethink his involvement in the automotive industry. He promptly returned to the sand and gravel business.
- 1955 Ford Thunderbird
Intended to compete with the Corvette, the 2-seater 1955 Ford Thunderbird came available with a 193-212 horsepower 292 cubic-inch V8. The Thunderbird was only available as a convertible, but a distinctive removable hardtop with circular portholes was available and was a popular option.
It was all about style and the clean styling, creature comforts, and V8 refinement made it a sales success. The first Thunderbird came off the Dearborn assembly line October 22, 1954 and had at least 4,000 orders waiting on the first day of production. 16,155 were produced.
For the newswire release from Detroit Click Here.
