June 14, 1954, is a date that won’t raise eyebrows or snatch ‘wows’ from the regular, everyday, normal gearhead. Still, one particular piston loyalist smiles in nostalgia when the moment is mentioned.

Matt Nelson is an automotive journalist with nearly a decade of experience in all things cars. He's spent years working at dealerships in sales, finance, and service. He's since traded in his pens and ...