Head-Turning, Stunning 1960s Classic Cars
The 1960s were an incredible decade for cars. Not only were they becoming faster and more powerful, but they were also more attractive. We’d absolutely stop and stare at the 35 classic beauties on this list. Keep scrolling to find out what they are!
Lamborghini Miura
The Lamborghini Miura has been crowned “one of the most beautiful cars ever”, so we had to include it! It’s sculpted and sporty, with a low-slung chassis that gives it a classic racecar vibe. It was a pioneering supercar in looks and capabilities.
Toyota 2000GT
The Toyota 2000GT may have been built for speed, but it’s also one of the best-looking cars of the late 1960s. Its curvy body, long hood, and wraparound windscreen are all effortlessly elegant. The only downside is that only 351 models were built.
Plymouth Barracuda
The Plymouth Barracuda is one of the best classic pony cars, but its aggression doesn’t take away from its looks. It’s the ultimate sportster, and doesn’t look at all heavy or awkward, despite its bulk. It’s no wonder the Barracuda once ruled the roads!
BMW 2002
Despite being named ‘2002’, this beautiful BMW was first produced in 1966. It’s well-regarded for its lightweight, stylish look, which actually inspired the modern BMW Series 3. It’s just a shame that those don’t have the same iconic ‘shark nose’ and sloped grille.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
It may have been reintroduced in 2014, but the original 1968 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray turned far more heads! It had the sculpted body and long hood of a sports car, but also hints of all-American muscle car beauty, giving drivers the best of both worlds.
Buick Riviera
We’re not surprised that the Buick Riviera held strong for over 30 years, just look at it! It was one of the most luxurious ‘60s cars, with perfect proportions, a buttery leather interior, and a sleek finish. The Riviera proved that beauty can be understated.
Ferrari 250 GTO
The ‘60s were the muscle car era, so it’s hard to believe that this gorgeous grand tourer was released at the same time. However, we can’t deny its exquisite Italian styling and iconic racecar design. With only 36 ever built, you’d be insanely lucky to get one.
Lotus Elan
Everyone has heard of the Lotus Elan, but few give it the respect it deserves. It was small yet fierce, with a fun convertible roof and pop-up headlights that would still make an impact on the road today. It remains a well-loved classic.
Ford Fairlane
Ford has produced many beauties, but perhaps none so lovely as the Fairlane. Though it began production in the ‘50s, it didn’t truly take off until the following decade, when people were more appreciative of its stylish ‘jetliner’ build and eye-catching chrome accents.
Austin Mini Cooper S
That’s right! This popular everyday commuter car is actually a ‘60s classic. The Austin Mini Cooper S is also arguably the most head-turning version of this car because it was so unique, with a compact, nimble design that made it the perfect sporty option.
Datsun 240Z
This one might be cheating because it’s a very late-60s car, released in 1969, but it’s too gorgeous and popular to leave out. It’s regarded as one of the most beautiful sports cars ever, thanks to its timeless design, aerodynamic build, and distinctive grille.
Volkswagen Type 2
It’s everyone’s favorite minivan! This classic vehicle was an icon of the 1960s hippie movement, with its bold, retro design and fun, free-spirited driving style. With so many modern minivans on the road, now this bright vintage beauty would certainly turn heads.
Jaguar E-Type
It may be fifth in the alphabet, but the E-Type is one of the best-looking Jags you’ll ever see. Enzo Ferrari himself even praised its unmatched beauty. From its sophisticated silhouette to its teardrop headlights to its chrome wheels, it’s a car that was made to be seen.
Dodge Dart GT
Dodge has produced many fine cars, but we have so much love for the Dart GT. It was a powerful car with excellent handling and engagement, but it never neglected style. It takes the iconic muscle car shape and refines it, resulting in a shiny and sophisticated vehicle.
Shelby AC Cobra
You’d certainly notice the Shelby AC Cobra if it came speeding past you! This car won the World Sportscar Championship in 1965, more than earning its world-famous reputation. It’s as beautiful as it is fast, too, with an aggressive yet sporty look and iconic racing stripes.
Buick Electra
One of the best things about the Buick Electra is how big everything is. It’s a full-size luxury car with a wide-set body that flows elegantly from its vertical headlights to its rear fender skirts. Its design only innovated throughout the decade, inspiring much praise.
Pontiac GTO
Pontiac’s best contribution to the 1960s muscle car craze was the ‘66 GTO. It was redesigned to elevate its looks, with a distinctive ‘Coke bottle’ design, double-stacked headlights, and curvaceous tail. It also offered several gorgeous trim options for easy customization.
Lincoln Continental (Third Gen)
Ford may have cancelled the Continental line in 1959, but we’re glad they still released the third-generation model. It was the first all-new unibody car since WW2, so it made a serious impact on drivers. It was minimalistic, but effortlessly stylish, which allowed it to age well.
Chevrolet Impala Super Sport
The Chevrolet Impala is very well-known, but have you heard of its head-turning ‘60s sibling, the Super Sport? It was released as an alternative model option, but became a classic in its own right, with clean, sculpted bodywork, triple taillights, and bold ‘batwing’ tailfins.
Ford Thunderbird
The Ford Thunderbird entered its second generation in the 1960s, and it was seriously redesigned. It had a bullet-shaped unibody design, featuring prominent tail fins, a glamorous chrome grille, and luxurious bucket seats. You could drive for miles with the top down.
Studebaker Avanti
Have you heard of the Studebaker Avanti? Perhaps not, but you’d certainly stop and stare at it on the street. It’s a cute luxury coupe, which mimics certain aspects of both pony and sports car design, but innovates them to create a more unconventional but exciting vehicle.
Ford GT40
Ford really ruled the 1960s automotive market, and we can see why! The ‘64 GT40 was built to beat the Scuderia Ferrari at Le Mans, and with a 1966 victory, it made history. Its design was similarly iconic, with a very low-slung body, aerodynamic shape, and racing-pit-inspired interior.
Mercury Comet Cyclone
The Mercury Comet Cyclone was the brand’s answer to the Ford Falcon, and we think it did a pretty good job! It was a classic muscle car, fitted with a high-performance engine that turned heads with its revs. It looked great on the road and the track.
Excalibur Series I
Building a car to resemble the Mercedes-Benz SSK and naming it after a legendary sword is bold, but Studebaker definitely pulled it off. The Series I model was neoclassical, yet built for a robust, more modern driving experience. It cemented itself as a nostalgic classic in 1965.
Pontiac Firebird 400
The Pontiac Firebird is a known classic, but what about the 400 version? It was built as a high-performance alternative for those who preferred speed, but maintained the iconic Firebird style. It was fun and powerful to drive, but it had a sophistication that many high-powered cars lacked.
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
We’re yet to see a Rolls-Royce that wouldn't turn heads, but the Silver Shadow deserves a special shout-out. It was bulky, but people adored its sleek, monocoque build, clean lines, and iconic branded grille. It also marked the point where Rolls-Royce began to modernize.
Plymouth Road Runner
In an overcrowded pony car market, Plymouth made sure to get noticed with the 1968 Road Runner. It looked like a classic muscle car, but incorporated a distinctive dome hood, square nose, and blacked-out headlights. The Road Runner was also wonderfully powerful.
Aston Martin DB5
This car turned heads when James Bond drove it in Goldfinger, and the same would happen in real life. It’s a classic British beauty, with a refined design that screams “luxury”. Even today, collectors are eager to get their hands on one of these sleek, high-powered grand tourers.
Renault 4
Renault may not be considered a luxury brand, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t produced some head-turners. The ‘60s Renault 4 was designed to be an affordable small car, but its well-styled boxy shape, fun front wings, and retro French finish all catapulted it to automotive fame.
Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger may look like just another muscle car, but it helped set the stage for other classic ‘60s cars. It was tall, long, and powerful, with a distinctive ‘Coke bottle’ design that people went wild over. We’re not surprised by its popularity.
Chevrolet Chevelle SS
The Chevrolet Chevelle SS was first famous for being a Chevelle, but later coveted for its incredible independent performance. On top of being a fast, sporty vehicle, this car was undoubtedly a muscle car, with an aggressive design that held nothing back.
Alfa Romeo Spider
We don’t think that Alfa Romeo is capable of making a bad car, as evidenced by the iconic ‘60s Spider. It relied on Italian elegance, which can be seen in its flowing lines, shiny finish, and boat-tail rear. In an era of muscle cars, it was the standout sports car.
AMC Rambler Classic
This car is named ‘Classic’ for a reason! It features unique square front-end styling, seemingly endless big glass windows, and eye-catching wheel alloys. It was everything that an American pony car should be, which generated millions of fans both then and now.
Ford Mustang
We couldn’t make this list without including the Ford Mustang! It’s quite possibly the most famous American car ever, first released in 1965 to rave reviews. It encapsulated ‘60s US spirit, with a bold, rebellious design, loud engine, and commitment to making an impact.
Porsche 911
Finally, we have the 1964 Porsche 911. The classic version looks different from its contemporary version, but we think the original would turn more heads. It seamlessly blends luxury and sportiness, with a gorgeous, vintage design that any enthusiast would be proud to drive.
