30 Wonderful Kodachrome Slides of People With Automobiles in the Mid-20th Century

In the mid-20th century (1940s–1960s), automobiles experienced significant technological advancements such as the widespread adoption of automatic transmissions, power steering, and air conditioning. Design trends included bold, flamboyant styles in the 1950s with tailfins and chrome, shifting to sleeker, aerodynamic designs in the 1960s. The era also saw the rise of compact cars and muscle cars.

Culturally, cars symbolized freedom and were central to American life, with drive-in theaters and diners becoming popular social spots. Suburbanization and car ownership were closely linked, and motorsports gained popularity. The American auto industry was dominated by the “Big Three” (GM, Ford, Chrysler), while European and Japanese manufacturers began making inroads with reliable, fuel-efficient models.

These wonderful Kodachrome slides from Dave’s Old Slides that captured people with their automobiles in the mid-20th century.

Two women and Chevrolet, Illinois, 1947

A woman and a Plymouth coupe, USA, circa 1950s

A woman dressed for hockey, standing next to a Ford Prefect, New Zealand, circa late 1950s

Family photo with Cadillac car, USA, circa 1950s

The car in the foreground is a 1952 Buick, USA, circa 1950s

Woman and a 1953 Mercury Monterey, circa 1950s

Woman and Pontiac car, USA, circa 1950s

Woman beside Studebaker Commander car, USA, circa 1950s

USA, January 1952

'AC Farm', with 1953 Ford Crestline Sunliner convertible, circa 1953

Couple in 1954 Plymouth Belvedere, circa 1954

Couple with a 1955 Chevrolet, circa 1955

Western Illinois or eastern Missouri, USA, 1955

Man with an Austin A50 Cambridge, Port Hills, Christchurch, New Zealand, circa 1957

Woman and Oldsmobile outside Saks Fifth Avenue, Palm Springs, California, Christmas 1959. The car is the new model for 1960

Haast, West Coast, New Zealand, circa 1961

Woman with 1960 Plymouth, USA, May 1963

Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1964. The car is a Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder

USA, January 1964

At the wheel, USA, 1966

Camping scene, August 1966. The car is a 1960 Ford Fairlane 500 with Ohio plates

Couple with 1962 Plymouth, 1966. New York state license plates

Iowa plates on the Chevrolet Corvair, 1966

Man and Oldsmobile, Illinois USA, November 1966. The car looks to be a 1965 model

Woman with parking attendant with a two-roll Ultimate ticket machine, standing in front of a Mark I Ford Cortina and a Humber Sceptre, Bath, England, 1968

Roadside picnic, Lincolnshire, UK, 1969. Identified as the A157 just outside Louth. The car is a Renault 10

Santa Cruz, California, August 1969. The car is a 1968 Plymouth Satellite

Photographers and VW beetle, New Zealand, circa 1960s

Picnic from the boot of a Morris Oxford, UK, circa 1960s

VW Kombi, New Zealand, circa 1960s