The Top Cars of the 1960s: A new, streamlined approach to manufacturing, widely implemented in the 1950s, revolutionized the automobile industry, which opened the door for some of the incredible vehicles produced during the 1960s. While America dominated the global automotive industry during the 1950s, Europe assumed the throne during the 1960s.
Let’s take a look at some of our favorite vehicles from the swingin’ 60s, produced both at home and across the pond.
The E-Type is a testament to British style and ingenuity. This supercar convertible is capable of hitting 150mph, something a lot of modern cars still can’t do.
With its elongated front half and spoke rims, you might feel like James Bond or Austin Powers when you climb behind the wheel of one of these bad boys (even though Austin’s E-Type was a 1970.) In its prime, an E-Type would set you back about £2,000—just half the cost of a 1960s Aston Martin. Today, the price tag on a mint condition E-Type has increased a hundred-fold, as the E-Type can be yours for just $250,000.
We couldn’t create a list of the best cars of the 60s and not include the Mini. People across the world are still in love with this cute little car, although we’d argue its modern models can’t hold a candle to their 60s predecessor.
It’s certainly not the fastest car in the world. Top speed is only 88 mph, and it takes a full 13 seconds to go from 0 to 60. Nevertheless, it was an affordable—and adorable—alternative to the flashier sports cars of the 60s.
This car is a classic example of how British and American engineering, when combined, can create timeless classics. Plus, we owe it all to a chicken farmer from Texas named Carroll Shelby.
When he was young, Shelby and a friend decided to race. Shelby drove a Cad-Allards, and his friend was in a MG TC. That race was what inspired Shelby to drop an American V-8 engine into the AC Ace.
And the rest, as they say, is history. Shelby went on to race for Aston Martin and Formula One before leaving his racing career behind to start his own company, and later collaborate with big names in the automotive industry.
You’d be hard pressed to find a list of the top cars from the 1960s that didn’t include this sexy supercar. Like almost every great car on our list, the Miura has its own intriguing back story.
Ferrucio Lamborghini, a Ferrari employee at the time, decided he didn’t like how Ferrari had designed one of his cars and gave his two cents on the matter. Ferrari promptly fired him, and Lamborghini decided he was going to open his own company.
The rest of the story practically tells itself. The Miura debuted three years after Lamborghini opened its doors, and its sharp design and mid-mounted V-12 turned the tables of the sports car industry forever.
Shortly before he sacked Lamborghini, Enzo Ferrari had a dispute with the chief designer of the 250 GTO, Giotto Bizzarrini, and fired him, too. But the hot-headed Italian struck literal gold with the Ferrari 250 GTO.
Only 39 were produced between 1962 and 1964. A new one cost $18,000, the equivalent of $144,000 in today’s money. Potential buyers had to be approved by none other than Enzo Ferrari himself.
It comes as no surprise that the 250 GTO is one of the most expensive cars ever sold at auction. One mint condition 1962 250 GTO sold for a cool $38.1 million.
Let’s bring it back home with the Ford GT40, although the British lent a helping hand with this one, too. The Mk I, II and III versions of the car were originally designed and built in Britain.
The Mk IV was designed and built in America, using American engines. The GT40 dominated at Le Mans four consecutive years, from 1966 to 1969. The Mk II took home the trophy in 1966, while none other than Henry Ford II himself watched on from the crowd.
This was the first time a car produced by an American manufacturer won Le Mans. The following year, the Mk IV claimed the victory, and has remained the only car entirely built and designed in the U.S. to ever win Le Mans.
If you were fortunate enough to be an American in the 1960s, you wanted a Corvette Sting Ray, considered the third best car of the 1960s, according to Ranker. Chevrolet sold over 21,000 units of the 1963 model, which was a 50% increase from the previous year. Compared to the hefty price tag on the Ferrari and Lamborghini, a brand new Corvette Sting Ray was affordable at a little over $4,200.
If you wanted all the bells and whistles, the Corvette would set you back $6,200. Today, the price of a mint condition 1963 Sting Ray is still tame and just $69,000 will put the keys to a fully repaired vehicle in your hand. One of the most expensive 1963 Sting Rays sold for just $275,000, which was pennies compared to the GTO 250.
When most people talk about the GTO, this is the car they’re usually referring to, not Ferrari’s multi-million dollar version. Car enthusiasts the world over claim the GTO started the muscle car trend that swept across the globe during the late 60s and early 70s. It even took home the Motor Trend Car of the Year award in 1968.
The GTO was also designed by John DeLorean, a name you might recognize if you’re a fan of Back to the Future. DeLorean was also responsible for the car’s name, GTO, which stands for Gran Turismo Omologato – Italian for “homologated for racing”. (Any idea where he got the idea from?)
Needless to say, car enthusiasts of the era weren’t exactly happy about this. Yet, the GTO is still praised as the quintessential muscle car.
While the 1950s was focused on style, comfort and affordability, the 1960s were all about flash, speed and expense. Racing became increasingly popular during the 1960s, and vehicle manufacturers could barely keep up. From Texan chicken farmers to posh Italian lads with bad tempers, the brains behind the brands created some truly unique supercars, and revolutionized the automotive industry as we know it.
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