#54: Tailfin Automobiles
In the past, companies like Chevrolet, Ford, and Chrysler aimed to mimic early fighter jets, crafting cars with grand tailfins. Originally priced between $2,000 and $4,000, these vintage beauties now fetch between $50,000 and $250,000, highlighting a time when sleek, sci-fi-inspired designs were not the norm.
The iconic tailfins of the 1950s cars, inspired by wartime fighter jets, were more than just a design quirk—they symbolized the ultimate cool. As per Smithsonian, this design choice was strategically made to boost sales, melding style with a sense of purpose.