Two tone paint jobs were once a badge of style and sophistication. They weren’t just about color—they were about attitude. In the mid-20th century, automakers used bold combinations to highlight curves, fins, and chrome. These cars didn’t need flashy graphics or wild decals; their elegance came from carefully chosen contrasts that turned them into rolling works of art. Here are twelve classic cars that proved two tone done right could make a vehicle unforgettable.
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
Few cars define the two tone look better than the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air. With its sweeping chrome trim separating roof and body colors, it became an instant icon. Pastel shades like turquoise and white or salmon and gray gave the Bel Air a cheerful, unmistakably 50s personality. Even today, restored examples in two tone are the ones that stand out the most at shows.
1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner
The Ford Fairlane Skyliner was already famous for its retractable hardtop, but the two tone paint schemes made it even more striking. Wide chrome moldings divided roof, sides, and body, giving designers the perfect canvas for bold combinations like red and white or black and gold. The Fairlane’s long, low profile was accentuated beautifully by the paintwork.
1956 Buick Special Riviera
Buick leaned heavily into two tone during the 1950s, and the Special Riviera nailed the look. Its “sweepspear” chrome trim allowed for dramatic color contrasts, often pairing dark lower panels with lighter tops. Popular schemes included black over yellow or maroon over cream. These cars showed how two tone could make a mid-range Buick look like a luxury cruiser.
1953 Packard Caribbean
The Packard Caribbean was one of the most stylish convertibles of its time, and two tone paint became a defining feature. Many came in bold pastel contrasts, like aqua paired with ivory. On such a long and graceful body, the paint emphasized elegance rather than flash. For collectors today, two tone Caribbeans are especially prized.
1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville
The 1959 Cadillac was outrageous in every way—those fins, that chrome, that size—and two tone paint only amplified its presence. Splitting the roof in white or silver while the body wore a bold pink or blue made the Coupe de Ville look even more theatrical. This was excess done right, and the two tone treatment helped balance its flamboyant proportions.
1956 Lincoln Premiere
Lincoln’s answer to Cadillac in the mid-50s, the Premiere, wore two tone with grace. Designers used straight chrome side moldings to divide colors, and popular combinations included white and turquoise or black and pink. The result was a car that looked modern and upscale, with paintwork that highlighted its broad stance and sharp fins.
1949 Mercury Eight Coupe
The Mercury Eight became a hot rod icon, but even in stock form its two tone paint options gave it extra swagger. Roofs often contrasted with darker body colors, and the car’s rounded, flowing design made the separation subtle but stylish. Later customizers took the two tone theme even further, but Mercury showed how it could be done from the factory.
1958 Plymouth Fury
The 1958 Fury, made famous by Stephen King’s Christine, often wore bold two tone paint. With sweeping side trims that dipped dramatically toward the rear, the Fury’s bodylines almost demanded contrasting colors. Popular choices included red and white or copper and ivory. The styling captured the rocket-age optimism of late 50s America.
1955 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer
Dodge went all out on two tone paint schemes in the mid-50s, and the Custom Royal Lancer was the crown jewel. Tri-tone versions even existed, but the simpler two tones were often the most elegant. Strong chrome dividers gave sharp boundaries, creating some of the most eye-catching combinations of the decade. This was when Dodge leaned hard into style to win showroom battles.
1957 DeSoto Adventurer
Chrysler’s DeSoto brand might be gone, but in the 50s it was daring in design. The Adventurer coupe wore sweeping chrome trim that framed bold color splits, making two tone paint schemes look natural rather than forced. Colors like white paired with gold were especially striking. Today, DeSotos are rare sights, but the Adventurer shows how creative two tone could be.
1953 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Holiday Coupe
Oldsmobile’s flagship in the early 50s leaned on two tone to emphasize its luxury credentials. Contrasting roof colors gave it a formal appearance, while bold body colors highlighted its clean, jet-age lines. Popular pairings included black roofs over cream bodies or green and white. These cars showed that Oldsmobile could go toe-to-toe with Cadillac in terms of elegance.
1954 Kaiser Manhattan
Kaiser may not have had the longevity of Detroit’s big names, but the Manhattan stood out in the 1950s with its stylish two tone paint. Designers wrapped bright color bands around the car’s midsection, breaking up its slab sides and giving it a unique look. The Manhattan remains one of the more underappreciated examples of two tone artistry, but for those who know, it’s a hidden gem of 50s design.
