Poll: Which car from the 1956 GM line-up? (4/4/2026)

Very tough choice, but I have to go with the vastly cleaner and modern styled Chevy….skirts are removable you know!

Going with the Cadillac for its aggressive elegance.  It definitely has a presence about it that commands attention, especially in black.

My line up.  Chevrolet. I always liked the 56. The grrrrrill is tough looking and it is more modern looking.  Next the Oldsmobile the grill is very simple but I like it and it hardly ever anyone’s first pick. The Buick may have moved up if it had a better color scheme but I do like the portholes. Cadillac never liked early 50s models too me they are bulbous and I like the Pontiac even less.

Fifty-Six was a favored year for me. And of the GM lineup, the classic and overused word, 'Iconic' is perfectly fitting for the Cadillac in this reference. Next and on would be: Buick (OMG those wheels) Chevy (my favorite tri-five), Olds, then Pontiac.

Buick first; it's my favorite Buick of the 1950s. Pontiac last. Cadillac, Oldsmobile, Chevy in a dead heat.

Edit: I realize I actually put the middle three in the order I'd prefer them, so they aren't a tie.

Posted by: @kevins

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"….skirts are removable you know!"

EXACTLY!     I'm not really a fan of skirts, but if any car is going to wear them then at least have them integrated within the design language from the start - like the Cadillac shown.   When any skirts are attached to wheel openings with a "raised lips"  - like a '56 Chevy - it looks, IMO, a bit tacky.    I know many like it that way, but.....  🙄 🙄 🙄 

Posted by: @chris

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Posted by: @kevins

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"….skirts are removable you know!"

EXACTLY!     I'm not really a fan of skirts, but if any car is going to wear them then at least have them integrated within the design language from the start - like the Cadillac shown.   When any skirts are attached to wheel openings with a "raised lips"  - like a '56 Chevy - it looks, IMO, a bit tacky.    I know many like it that way, but.....  🙄 🙄 🙄 

“Everybody to their taste,” said the old lady as she kissed the cow.

Chevy in first,  Pontiac in second and Buick in third.

The iconic '56 Cadillac is in a class by itself...it wins this one.  Chevy Bel Air, Buick, Pontiac and Olds finish in that order.

Now you guys already know my answer by now, lol. Next is Chevy, Cadillac, Buick, then Olds.

This "Which One?" presented me with the questions of, "Which look" do like best and then "Which car would I most want".  The first answer is CADILLAC and the second answer is OLDSMOBILE. 

I've always declared that the '56 Cadillac is the most beautifully styled and regal looking car of the fifties.  But (always loving Oldsmobile's) it's the Oldsmobile that I most would love to have.  I think (only 2nd to the '57) it is the most beautiful Oldsmobile of the fifties. 

So for style and look only I rank '56 GM like this:  1) Cadillac  2) Oldsmobile  3) Chevrolet  4) Buick  5) Pontiac

Thought I'd also share this.  Most here on the Forum know that I give a lot of consideration to DASHBOARDS of cars.  Reason being, the DASHBOARD is what I'm going to have see the most of while owning and driving a car.  So a great looking Dashboard is very important to me, in fact, often even more important that the exterior styling of a car. 

For todays "Which One?", if I were to rank the cars by Dashboards only, my ranking looks like this: 

1) Oldsmobile  2) Cadillac  3) Pontiac  4) Buick  5) Chevrolet  

The '56 Oldsmobile Dashboard is and always has been to my eyes, the most beautiful to look at Dashboard of any car, past or present. I could drive enjoyably to the Moon looking at the '56 Oldsmobile Dashboard.  

When I see all the unattractive Dashboards on todays cars, honestly I'd prefer walking for 100,000 miles than having to stare at modern day Dashboards for 100,000 miles.  

Chevrolet, Pontiac, Cadillac, Buick, then Oldsmobile. A good year but I like the smallest best. Forget the skirts.

No interest in GMC line up for '56. '56 was FoMoCo's best year for styling, other than the T-bird '57 was GM's best year to shine in the '50's. Best of the '50's, Ford '56, GMC '57, AMC+ & CC were just there. Just personal taste.