American car in the 1950's

You have to take into account the end of the war, and the enormous influence it had on America. Plus the fact that the cold war had not yet started, and the energy crisis seemed no where near.

So they were meant to be seen, to be cool and to draw lots of attention.

Lisa is right big engine and lots of power was what the industry looked like.High-compression

American cars have very much influence in terms of designs and elegance.

They shown us how elegance the car could be. 

A lot of late 50s cars were influenced by the popularity of jet aircraft.  If you look a the fins and tail lights of old Cadillacs, Buicks, and the occasional DeSoto you can see the resemblence.