The 1960s — A Golden Age for Classic Cars?
The 1960s was a tremendous decade for car lovers. So many iconic designs and models emerged across those years. On that note, we can't help but ask — which vehicles defined that period of time? Well, let's find out! Yep, we'll be taking a closer look at a selection of classic motors that fit the bill right here. And you're sure to recognize plenty of the names, folks.
1964 Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 celebrated its 61st birthday this year. It's still going strong, folks! But there's just something about that original model from 1964 that continues to stand out. To call it iconic feels like an understatement. It looked amazing and performed brilliantly when called upon on the road.
1961 Chevrolet Impala
The 1961 Chevrolet Impala is a keeper, folks. It's absolutely gorgeous. The car came with a variety of engine options, ranging from a standard inline-six to a 409 V8. The latter was capable of hitting 360 horsepower! People couldn't get enough of this model as the '60s rolled on.
1964 Aston Martin DB5
The 1964 Aston Martin DB5 is more than a classic car — it's a pop culture icon, too! Yes, this motor was immortalized thanks to its involvement in Goldfinger. Not many vehicles get the James Bond seal of approval, but the DB5 did in glorious fashion. You can hardly blame 007 for falling in love with it...
1965 Chevrolet Bel Air
The 1965 Chevrolet Bel Air sported a brand-new design — and boy, did it look fantastic! The boxy body housed a variety of exciting engine options. There were several V8s on offer, each brimming with power. The restyled motor proved to be hugely popular with drivers at that time.
1965 Jeep CJ-5
The phrase "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" often comes to mind when discussing the Jeep CJ-5. This vehicle's look barely changed during its 29-year production run. But even so, the 1965 model stands out from the pack. It offered a Buick "Dauntless" V6 engine as an option, which folks absolutely loved.
1961 Ford Thunderbird
1961 marked the start of the Ford Thunderbird's third generation. And boy, was it a sight to behold! This iconic motor looked incredible, sporting a monstrous V8 engine under the hood. It could produce 300 horsepower on the road. Before long, the Thunderbird became a dominant figure across the decade.
1965 Ford Mustang
Has any car made a bigger splash than the 1965 Ford Mustang? It birthed one of the most famous models in automobile history. That first vehicle was incredibly impressive for its time. It was fast, powerful, and oozed so much cool. The pony car wouldn't be where it is today without it.
1965 Lincoln Continental
The 1965 Lincoln Continental ticked a bunch of boxes. It was stylish, comfortable, offered a smooth ride, and came equipped with a very powerful V8 engine. Yep, this thing could produce around 340 horsepower on the road. Awesome! It's one of the biggest icons to emerge from that decade.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Is the 1963 Stingray model the best iteration of the Chevrolet Corvette? It's got a strong case! This car has an incredible look, backed up by a powerful V8 engine. It was an immediate hit upon its release, and soon became one of the most popular vehicles of the decade.
1965 Shelby Mustang GT350
Few cars have a cooler look than the 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350. It's jaw-droppingly gorgeous! But is it more than a pretty face? Absolutely. This motor has an adjustable suspension, a four-speed manual transmission, and a 4.7-liter V8 engine. It performs beautifully once it gets going, folks.
1965 Plymouth Barracuda
Rocking an iconic fastback design, the 1965 Plymouth Barracuda was a very hard car to overlook in the past. Its wraparound rear window sure was something! On the specs-front, it came with three different engine options. The Commando V8 was the best of them, offering some great performances.
1966 Pontiac GTO
There's no other way of saying it, folks — the 1966 Pontiac GTO is a stunner. Its Coke-bottle design was hugely influential for muscle cars going forward, leaving tailfins in the rear-view mirror. The interior turned heads, too! And to top it off, its V8 engine was also a powerful beast.
1966 Buick Wildcat
There was so much to love about the 1966 Buick Wildcat upon its release. The Sweepspear design was gorgeous, while the engine options offered some exciting numbers on the road. None of them lacked power! Today, this sedan is still seen as an undisputed classic from that decade.
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado
Despite its age, the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado is still a visually striking motor. You won't forget its design in a hurry, folks! It's also equipped with a Super Rocket V8 engine capable of reaching 385 horsepower. Motor Trend named it their Car of the Year following its release.
1961 Cadillac Sedan De Ville
The jaw-dropping taillight fins. The giant steering wheel. The elegant lines. The monster engine. You could never accuse the 1961 Cadillac Sedan de Ville of being a boring vehicle. It might be the most eye-catching motor of the entire decade. Or at the very least, it's got to be in the conversation. What a car!
1966 Alfa Romeo Spider
The 1966 Alfa Romeo Spider was a very pleasant vehicle to drive back in the day. It handled brilliantly, offered nice performances, and looked fantastic. Who could hate this thing! The car was also immortalized on the big-screen thanks to its appearance in the 1967 Hollywood classic The Graduate.
1967 Mercury Cougar
Hidden headlamps? Exciting V8 engine options? A slick exterior? Sounds like a winner to us! Yes, the 1967 Mercury Cougar was a very memorable vehicle, sitting snugly between the Thunderbird and Mustang models. It took home Motor Trend's Car of the Year award following its release.
1967 Chevrolet Camaro
In a bid to compete against Ford's eye-catching Mustang models, Chevrolet introduced this iconic vehicle in the mid-'60s. Yep, the 1967 Camaro kicked off a legendary rivalry between the pair. It came with a variety of engine options, including several V8s that all offered plenty of power.
1967 Pontiac Firebird
As one of the finest-looking vehicles from the '60s, the 1967 Pontiac Firebird was well worth fawning over. Its stylish exterior was paired with exciting transmission and suspension options, while the engines weren't too bad, either. They ranged from a standard 3.8-liter OHC inline-six to a 6.6-liter V8.
1968 Buick Riviera
The 1968 Buick Riviera was a second-generation model. And boy, was it a keeper! The Sweepspear exterior design was close to perfect, while the V8 engine under the hood offered some thrilling performances. It could crank out 360 horsepower on the road. A defining motor for that era? We'd say so.
1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
The awesome Coke-bottle styling. The sporty interior. The monster engine. Yep, the 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS had lots in its favor. It could hit 60 mph in less than seven seconds and produce 375 horsepower in full-flight. Nice! The power-dome hood deserves a shout-out as well. It was unapologetically aggressive.
1968 Jaguar E-Type
The 1968 Jaguar E-Type has everything you could want from a classic sports car. It's a great performer and looks absolutely incredible. Was it the prettiest motor of that decade? There's a strong argument in its favor. After all, Enzo Ferrari himself considered it to be the most beautiful vehicle ever created. That's some praise!
1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
The 1968 Cutlass Supreme was a fabulous offering from Oldsmobile. It had a lush interior that blew away the likes of the Chevelle. And the engine? Woah. Both the standard and optional V8s were monsters on the road. '60s cars didn't get better than this, folks.
1968 Ford Torino
The 1968 Ford Torino came in five different body styles upon its release. They included a sedan, a station wagon, a convertible, a hardtop, and a fastback. Talk about being spoiled for choice! Whatever option you went for, this car was a bona fide '60s classic.
1968 Volkswagen Type 2
The 1968 Volkswagen Type 2 is often described as a counterculture icon. And it's hard to disagree with that! This eye-catching vehicle was tied to the hippie movement of the '60s, offering adventure and freedom on the road. It wasn't nicknamed the "hippie van" for nothing, folks.
1968 Volkswagen Beetle
Arguably the most recognizable car ever created, the 1968 Volkswagen Beetle is an automobile icon. It became the best-selling vehicle in history by 1972, and held that title for over 20 years. It eventually gave up the crown to the Toyota Corolla in the late '90s.
1969 Dodge Dart Swinger
Good luck tearing your eyes away from the 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger. What a beauty! This car came with a variety of engine and transmission options, each aiding its ability on the road. It was part of the Dart's fourth generation, which ended in 1976.
1969 Dodge Charger
This list would feel incomplete without the 1969 Dodge Charger. It was an awesome motor for its time! Folks couldn't get enough of its powerful performances. And the car's place in pop culture was secured several years later thanks to its role in The Dukes of Hazzard.
Ford Bronco
Versatile, eye-catching, and fun to drive, the first generation Ford Bronco made quite an impression upon its release in the mid-'60s. It soon became a legendary off-road figure, offering some potent V8 engine options along the way. It's currently in its sixth generation.
Shelby Cobra 260
Although it only had a five-year production run, the Shelby Cobra 260 is still seen as one of the best vehicles to come out of the 1960s. It looked incredible and produced some jaw-dropping performances. The car's 7.0-liter V8 engine could hit 185 mph and crank out 485 horsepower. Wow!
1970 Dodge Challenger
Don't let the model year fool you, folks — the 1970 Dodge Challenger came out in 1969. It qualifies for the list! It was an awesome car, offering five different engine options. There were a variety of exterior features to pick and choose from, too. Talk about ending the decade on a strong note.
1969 Plymouth Road Runner
Was the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner a "minimalist" muscle car? Definitely. But don't take that the wrong way. Its no-frills design and unspectacular interior won plenty of praise, as did its searing performances. Motor Trend loved it, naming it their Car of the Year.
Toyota 2000GT
Taking inspiration from the Jaguar E-Type's iconic design, the Toyota 2000GT burst onto the scene in the late 1960s. It was a very nice motor, offering refined performances on the road. It didn't take long for car lovers to flock to this thing back in the day.
Lamborghini Miura
To call the Lamborghini Miura beautiful feels like a major understatement. This motor's on another level of gorgeous! Often recognized as the world's first supercar, it has a stunning V12 engine under the hood. No other vehicle in the '60s could touch its speed.
Through: Don O'Brien