These Were The Most Popular Cars Of The 1960s

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The automotive manufacture saw accelerated growth, technological innovations, and a displacement successful user preferences during nan 1960s changed nan automotive scenery forever. It was an undoubtedly breathtaking time, but location were besides plentifulness of challenges that put automakers to nan test. 

New authorities information regulations required car manufacturers to incorporated things for illustration spot belts, improved lighting, and windshield wipers into their conveyance designs — each of which costs other — while labour disputes interrupted assembly statement accumulation and added to nan financial strain. The civilization displacement of nan '60s played a portion successful nan desire for smaller, compact vehicles, and musculus cars had a boom. Of course, women besides became a target marketplace for caller models successful this era.

The car manufacture saw a fewer awesome players return nan lead, consolidating their power successful nan automotive world. General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler were each solidifying their spot arsenic America's apical sellers and producers.

All these factors contributed to nan domiciled nan 1960s played successful shaping nan automotive industry, and immoderate really awesome rides came retired of this classical car era. On this list, you'll find specifications astir immoderate of nan astir celebrated cars of nan 1960s, arranged based connected nan units sold aliases produced during that exemplary year.

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Given immoderate of nan accumulation figures we'll spot later, 21,513 units whitethorn not look for illustration a immense number of 1963 Chevrolet Corvettes built, but it did correspond a 50% summation complete 1962 production. It's a celebrated sports car, and nan 1963 Corvette has immoderate unsocial qualities that make it highly sought aft coming by collectors and sports car enthusiasts.

The 1963 Corvette was nan only twelvemonth to person a split rear window, though nan file that divided nan model obstructed visibility and made it difficult to see. So by 1964, models featured a coagulated rear window, making nan uncommon split-window creation of nan '63 exemplary highly desirable for collectors. This exemplary besides has stylish grilles connected nan hood, though they service nary function. You could get nan 1963 Corvette arsenic a coupe aliases convertible, and income were divided almost evenly betwixt nan style options.

Several engines were disposable for nan classical 1963 'Vette, providing horsepower ranging from 250 pinch nan guidelines V8 motor to 360 hp pinch nan top-tier type of nan V8. The motor mates to either a three- aliases four-speed manual transmission, and pinch nan correct setup, nan '63 Corvette tin deed a apical velocity of much than 130 mph. It's not difficult to spot why this car was among nan astir celebrated sports car models successful nan early '60s.

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The iconic 1964 Volkswagen Microbus was a very celebrated exemplary twelvemonth successful VW's Type 2 lineup, pinch 40,115 units built. The van's freely interior is versatile, pinch room for tons of passengers and gear. It's often converted into a camper pinch sleeping space, cleanable for nomadic hippie lifestyles that were communal successful nan mid-'60s.

Marketed arsenic a budget-friendly model, nan 1964 VW Microbus sold for $2,100 to $2,600 erstwhile it was new. Today, a Microbus from 1964 tin waste for much than $100,000, pinch a exemplary successful cleanable information perchance trading for $187,000 aliases more. Not a bad value summation if location are immoderate original owners retired location who kept their VW buses successful apical shape.

The rear-mounted motor successful nan Microbus helps trim sound a spot for riders inside, but its minimal hp makes it amended suited to level terrain. Since nan car's air-cooled motor was designed and built successful Germany, it has issues pinch overheating during lukewarm American summers. However, nan engine's location makes it elemental to activity connected and repair. The Microbus's chopped boxy style gained it fame pinch counterculture rebels looking for a unsocial conveyance that would group them isolated from nan pack.

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The 1966 Lincoln Continental achieved nan model's highest income figures yet, pinch 54,755 units making their measurement to consumers. This was a 36% summation complete 1965 Continental sales. Most group opted for nan sedan assemblage style, which sold 35,809 units. The coupe was besides popular, and had income of 15,766 units. A convertible was available, but it didn't waste arsenic well, achieving only 3,180 sales.

The Continental's agelong wheelbase ensures seating feels freely moreover erstwhile nan car is afloat loaded pinch six passengers. A powerful 7.6-liter V8 motor delivers 340 hp, and nan three-speed automatic transmission intends nary clutch to interfere pinch a relaxing cruise successful nan Continental down Main Street. Almost each exemplary came pinch aerial conditioning, and nan car's plush interior is elegantly appointed successful a very '60s fashion.

As a much luxurious model, nan 1966 Lincoln Continental came astatine a overmuch higher value constituent than nan mean exemplary of nan time. To acquisition a Lincoln Continental marque caller successful 1966, you would person paid a starting value of $5,550 – astir double nan mean value for a caller conveyance successful 1966, which was astir $2,650.

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Plymouth, a Chrysler brand, introduced nan Roadrunner successful 1968, and income of nan car astir doubled by 1969, going from 44,303 to 84,420 units sold. The executives astatine Chrysler paid Warner Bros. $50,000 to usage nan Roadrunner and Wiley E. Coyote names and likenesses, and they invested an further $10,000 to get nan car's horn to sound for illustration nan Roadrunner's signature "beep-beep." This apt helped boost nan fame of nan 1969 Roadrunner, making it a smart move for nan company's determination makers.

The Plymouth Roadrunner is now an iconic musculus car, and it has a fewer motor options. In its rarest form, nan Roadrunner features a 426 HEMI V8 pinch a 425-hp output. Of course, nan astir communal motor is nan 383 cubic-inch V8 that was modular for nan model. Plymouth added a Six Pack 440 V8 for nan 1969 exemplary twelvemonth that delivers 390 horses. A convertible assemblage style is nan astir desirable among collectors of nan old 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner, arsenic it only had income of 2,128 units.

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Who hasn't heard of nan Ford Thunderbird? This longstanding exemplary was first introduced successful 1955, but its 2nd procreation only had a two-year tally from 1958 to 1960. These second-gen versions went from being two-seaters to having room for 4 passengers, giving them a wider market. The car's wheelbase was besides accrued for a roomier consciousness successful nan cabin.

Sales of nan Thunderbird, which was famously besides known arsenic a T-Bird — aliases for second-gen models specifically, Square Bird – steadily increased. By 1960, Ford sold 92,843 units of nan family-friendly Thunderbird, acold exceeding nan roughly 67,000 units sold nan erstwhile year. An optional sunroof was added for nan model, and it incorporated a three-light creation to nan rear taillights. Aside from an updated grille, not overmuch changed successful nan looks of nan second-generation Thunderbirds.

Base value for a caller 1960 Thunderbird was $3,755, but for a convertible you would person paid $4,222. Hagerty lists nan highest trading value for a 1960 Ford Thunderbird arsenic $348,332, but astir models will waste for overmuch less. The mean trading value is person to nan $20,000 to $30,000 range, depending connected nan information of nan Thunderbird and its features.

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The Dodge Charger is an iconic and legendary American musculus car, and 1968 was a bully income twelvemonth for nan model. A whopping 96,100 units of nan 1968 Charger sold, which was good complete nan projected 35,000 units Dodge thought it would move. In part, nan car's exceptional creation made it an charismatic choice. However, nan Charger came pinch tons of options, appealing to a wide assortment of user tastes.

For instance, nan modular powertrain for a 1968 Charger was nan 3.7-liter inline-6 pinch a 145 hp output. But buyers could take from respective optional powertrains tin of anyplace from 101 hp up to 425 hp. A three-speed automatic and five-speed manual transmission added to nan options for this musculus car, and buyers could take betwixt nan Base aliases R/T trim levels.

Playing a salient domiciled successful "Bullitt," an action movie starring large names for illustration Steve McQueen, Robert Duvall, and Norman Fell, put nan 1968 Dodge Charger successful beforehand of millions. In nan film, nan Charger is up against a Mustang, and nan 2 cars partake successful an epic car pursuit segment done San Francisco. Dodge besides had nan Charger making nan NASCAR circuit, giving it different monolithic assemblage to summation popularity.

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At 96,946 portion sales, nan 1966 Pontiac GTO was a hugely celebrated musculus car successful nan '60s and beyond. It was, successful fact, nan best-selling musculus car of 1966, perchance because it was among nan first of its kind – nan Pontiac GTO helped specify an personality to nan musculus car movement. Giving nan car coke vessel curves offers a rounded softness to its exterior, but nan unsocial grille, sleek roofline, and scooped hood springiness GTOs a chopped look that still resonates good today.

Power for nan GTO comes from 1 of 2 motor configurations. A 389 cubic-inch V8 artifact generates 335 hp aliases 360 hp depending connected nan carburetor setup. Racing nan Pontiac GTO from zero to 60 mph successful astir six seconds is imaginable pinch nan 360-hp V8. After that, it could scope a apical velocity of much than 120 mph, which was awesome for its day.

Body styles for nan GTO see nan coupe, convertible, and hardtop, each of which person 2 doors and seating for five. The astir celebrated 1966 GTO exemplary was nan hardtop, pinch complete 73,000 portion sales. A caller Pontiac GTO costs little than $3,000 successful 1966, making it an affordable musculus car pinch timeless style and deep-throated growl.

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Swelling to income of 136,000 units, nan 1961 Rambler American had an entreaty that helped it find its measurement into driveways crossed nan U.S. The car had a fresh, boxy exterior moreover though it was group connected an aged 1950s Nash Rambler platform. It came pinch 1 of 2 inline-6 engines offering either 90 aliases 125 hp. Fuel system for this compact car was efficient, and it came successful two-door and four-door options, making it awesome arsenic a family car aliases commuter.

A convertible apical was offered for nan 1961 Rambler American, and astatine conscionable $2,369, it was nan astir affordable convertible disposable successful nan '61 exemplary year. The convertible apical was only disposable astatine nan Custom trim level, but you could person nan car without nan convertible successful DeLuxe and Super trims for a little price. Base Rambler American models had a starting value of $1,831, which apt helped boost income for nan early '60s model. Today, nan mean worth of a 1961 Rambler American is astir $14,000.

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Built to compete successful nan pony car class, nan 1969 Chevrolet Camaro has an fierce fascia, crisp angles, and a pointed grille that helps it trim done nan air. First-gen Camaros, which ended accumulation pinch nan 1969 twelvemonth model, knowledgeable quickly expanding income since debuting successful 1967. At its tallness successful 1969, nan Camaro sold 243,085 units.

The muscular Camaro features a assortment of engines ready to suit immoderate driving style. Some options were disposable passim first-gen production, but a fewer powertrains were only offered for 1969 Camaros. A 200-hp L14 5.0-liter V8 was disposable for nan first time, and to get 250 aliases 255 hp, nan LM1 aliases nan L65 5.7-liter V8 made fantabulous options. This 1969 pony car besides came pinch a 7.0-liter V8 tin of either 425 aliases 430 hp astatine 5,600 aliases 5,200 rpm, respectively.

Buyers could take betwixt RS and SS packages erstwhile building their 1969 Chevy Camaros. Versions pinch nan RS package person cool creation elements for illustration recessed headlights, upgraded wheels, and typical badging that make it guidelines out, while an SS Camaro equips performance-oriented options. The SS models besides person enhanced suspension systems and powerfulness disc brakes for a superior driving experience.

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In nan 1960s, nan Volkswagen Beetle wasn't conscionable a car — it was a statement. When drivers successful nan '60s wanted an inexpensive conveyance that was easy to activity on, comparatively reliable, and didn't break nan slope astatine nan pump, nan Beetle was it. Plus, nan mini VW's unconventional look appealed to nan counterculture cognition that prevailed successful nan '60s. The 1967 VW Beetle, a car fondly referred to arsenic nan Bug, was among nan astir celebrated models produced during nan decade, pinch much than 320,000 1967 Volkswagen Beetles sold.

One logic 1967 models are truthful celebrated is that it was nan only aliases past twelvemonth galore unsocial features were available. This intends you'll only spot a afloat metallic dashboard, rounded bumpers, and a 12-volt electrical strategy upgrade for nan 1967 Beetle exemplary aliases earlier. In addition, two-speed windshield wipers, slimmed down exterior chrome trim, and a modular driver's broadside reflector are first twelvemonth aliases exclusive features for nan 1967 VW Beetle. Despite its precocious income number for 1967, this vintage Beetle is still highly sought aft by collectors.

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Chevrolet debuted nan sporty Corvair Monza Spyder for nan 1962 exemplary year, pinch a convertible and turbocharged motor besides some disposable for nan very first time. Of nan 328,500 '62 Corvairs sold, less than 10,000 were Monza Spyders, though nan 1962 Chevrolet Corvair Monza convertible is now considered a highly desirable car successful nan vintage car collector community.

A turbocharged 150-hp air-cooled flat-six motor successful nan rear powered nan Monza Spyder Corvair. At nan time, you'd person been difficult pressed to find either a rear aliases turbocharged motor successful an American accumulation car. The 2.4-liter motor uses a four-speed manual gearbox to boost nan Corvair to a apical velocity of 105 mph.

Aside from nan Monza Spyder, nan 1962 Corvair came arsenic a two-door coupe, four-door sedan, four-door position wagon, and nan Greenbrier van. This meant tons of options tailored to mundane driving needs. The celebrated Chevy exemplary was disposable pinch factory-installed aerial conditioning, two-speed windshield wipers, and beforehand spot belts. A caller 1962 Corvair was only astir $2,000, but nan median value for this car coming is astir $10,000, depending connected condition, assemblage style, and engine.

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You're astir apt not shocked to spot nan earliest Ford Mustang, a pioneer successful nan pony car class, connected a database of nan astir celebrated cars of nan 1960s. While immoderate Mustangs were really produced successful 1964, each VINs denote them arsenic being made successful 1965. Mustang income skyrocketed aft its half-year debut successful 1964 pinch 121,538 units sold earlier jumping to 559,451 units by nan extremity of 1965. Despite seeing higher income successful 1966, nan Mustang's beardown commencement successful 1965 makes it a captious twelvemonth for nan stylish pony car.

Available successful a assortment of assemblage styles and pinch respective engines, nan 1965 Ford Mustang worth varies based connected its style and equipment. Convertibles are comparatively uncommon among 1965 Mustangs, arsenic only 73,112 were sold. If you travel crossed a convertible pinch nan 3.3-liter inline-6 motor aliases a exemplary successful nan Poppy Red overgarment job, you could person thing worthy a fewer bucks. Of course, nan precocious income numbers for nan 1965 Mustang mean it's reasonably common, but its charm and legendary style make it a classical '60s model.

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In 1965, Chevrolet deed a grounds by trading much than a cardinal units of a azygous exemplary — nan Impala. This remains nan highest mean single-model income measurement successful nan U.S. So why was this exemplary truthful basking successful 1965? Well, for starters, '65 Impalas featured abundant powertrain options and caller styling that helped nan exemplary compete pinch nan Mustang and different top-selling models of nan 1960s.

A caller coil suspension strategy improved nan Impala's handling connected curves and during braking and acceleration, while nan caller Girder-Guard chassis made nan car much rigid, enhancing safety. Buyers could person nan '65 Impala pinch 2 aliases 4 doors and arsenic a coupe, sedan, athletics sedan, convertible, aliases wagon assemblage style. With truthful galore options, it's nary wonderment group flocked to nan Chevy Impala.

Standard for nan Impala were 140-hp and 195-hp engines, but location were optional powertrains that delivered betwixt 220 and 425 hp. The 15 different overgarment colors allowed for fantabulous customization, not to mention they provided moreover much options for making this conveyance 1 of a kind.