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21 Vintage Photos of 1950s Greasers - NewsBreak

Matt Staff 3-4 minutes

Last Updated on May 5, 2025 by Matt Staff

Dating back to the 1950s, “greasers” emerged as an unrivaled, defining symbol of youth rebellion and cool. With their slicked-back hair, leather jackets, and a constant swagger that they made all of their own, the were icons of a post-war generation that pushed back against rigid conformity.

This collection of 1950s greaser photos portrays the varying elements and characters that went into defining the greasers. So, take a step back in time and immerse yourself in the 1950s world of the greasers.

1. A couple of greasers are the epitome of unbothered cool in 1956.

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So, I need that jacket as soon as possible.

2. Greasers knew how to get to work when they needed to.

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2pyPpw_10sKXHWX00
anonymous

There was no hesitation about it.

3. A greaser family with all the hooligans accounted for, strike their pose.

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pawned79

Nothing cooler than a greaser family.

4. Outside Mel’s Bar, Minneapolis, MN 1954

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doitmyway79

Mel’s Bar certainly was host to some rowdy greaser-fueled times.

5. A couple of Greasers and their hot rod make for a standout of the 1950s greaser photos

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5frogmargin

The hot rods were a staple of the greasers community.

6. These lads were always getting into trouble

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geminii2398

The rebellious, troublemaking spirit shines through in these photos of some greasers,

7. Well, this greaser’s certainly about to say something

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heavymargin293

She doesn’t seem particularly thrilled about where she’s stuck sitting.

8. It was always about the jackets

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tightmargins2981

If you didn’t have the cool jacket it was hard to gain the group’s approval.

9. Greasers started up at a young age

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ringaling1939

It was the cool thing to do as a kid.

10. This guy’s eyes have seen far too many troubles

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0HU6aB_10sKXHWX00
ringaling1938

Talk about a smoldering gaze.

11. Greasers meeting at Scrivner’s Drive-in, Los Angeles, California (1950)

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0mM74i_10sKXHWX00
baronvonbroccolli

I mean, check out that car that one of the greasers decided to break out for the evening.

12. In 1959, a greaser works on his car in Brooklyn

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pharaoahbarber1313

He’s not trying to look old-school cool, but that’s exactly where we showed up.

13. A striking portrait of a young greaser back in the fifties

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3GRmif_10sKXHWX00
till80

I do wonder how long it took to get that hair set up perfectly.

14. A young greaser shows off his tattoo

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till80

The fifties were a time when “flash tattoos” weren’t a social media-driven spectacle like they are nowadays.

15. Someone’s grandpa holding it down as a greaser back in the fifties

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=42iSs3_10sKXHWX00
ozzyhreds

He was on his way to turning out to be a very cool grandpa, indeed.

16. Get a load of this 1957 Canadian greaser

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1LJeGc_10sKXHWX00
anonymous

I wonder what the vibes were like amongst Canadian greasers.

17. These guys had an epic friendship, clearly

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scarletletters

Having your friends in your crew as a greaser was essential.

18. You can already tell that this ride knew how to rip around.

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anonymous

You didn’t want to find yourself in the way of this ride.

19. The greaser curling his fists makes the whole look extra tough.

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This greaser doesn’t look too pleased.

20. Someone’s dad on his motorcycle back in the early ’50s

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873pl

I could see this look making a comeback, certainly out in New York City.

21. The teen greasers were especially into troublemaking.

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Nobody’s fit is out of place here.