1958 BUICK SPECIAL

The 1958 Buick was dubbed ‘The Air Born B58’ (after the bomber). Its engine became the B-12000 because it developed 12,000lb of thrust behind every piston stroke. It had air-poise suspension and variable pitch Dynaflow automatic transmission. And presumably, to keep it from taking off, it featured an all-time record load of 44lb of chrome trim. But in spite of the sales hype, Buick’s total production figure diminished from 404,000 in 1957 to roughly 240,000 in the year this car was made. Undoubtedly one of the most extravagant examples of the American automobile to come from the skyward-looking decade.

Price guide: $9200/£6600

*(Special Model 41 4dr sedan 8-cyl 364cu in/250bhp 2bbl)