The 1960s was a major time of change in the automotive industry. The 1960s was when new market niches were created, and automakers worked overtime to pump out new and exciting rides. As a result, the era saw the birth of the best muscle cars that have remained iconic today. In addition, personal luxury vehicles and other categories came to life in the 1960s.
Hundreds of car designs were shown – some died, others roared to life and made waves, rocking the industry to its core. That said, here is a trip down memory lane to the most quintessential classic cars of the 1960s.
10 Lamborghini Miura
There’s a lot to love about the Lamborghini Miura of the 1960s. First off, it is considered the world’s first supercar. It featured a rear mid-engined and a two-seat layout. Moreover, it was the fastest production car on the planet when it rolled out in 1966. At its heart, the Miura came equipped with a purpose-built 3.9-liter V12 that delivered a remarkable 350 horsepower.
Soon, the car became an iconic sports car that celebrities owned, from members of the Rat Pack to Rod Stewart. Although the automaker gave the Miura periodic updates, it remained in production until 1973 as Lamborghini’s flagship model.
9 Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is among the most desirable classic muscle cars from the 1960s. And though the original six-cylinder Mustang wasn’t fast, the V8 option showed its capability. Later, better V8s paired to four-speed transmissions were created, making the light Mustang a blast to drive.
During its first year, a total of 318,000 Mustangs were sold, and more than a million Mustangs were built within its first 18 months, placing it in history as the most popular car in America. The Mustang created a new market that gave rise to competitors like the Dodge Challenger, the Chevy Camaro, the Plymouth Barracuda, and the Pontiac Firebird.
8 Chevy Camaro
Though not as popular as the Mustang, the Chevy Camaro is still considered an incredible pony car of the 1960s and beyond. Chevrolet launched the Camaro shortly after the Mustang came. It came with the same recipe – under 3000 lbs, rear-wheel drive, and awesomely stunning design.
By late 1966, the pony car era was in full swing, so the Camaro offered the big block power from the start. It took a while – almost another decade, but eventually, the Camaro’s sale numbers nearly caught up with the Mustang's. Today, the first-generation Camaro is one of the most sought-after 1960s cars.
7 Plymouth Barracuda
The Plymouth Barracuda was purposely built to compete against the Ford Mustang in the insanely competitive muscle car market of the 1960s. Launched just two weeks before the Ford Mustang, the first Barracuda was an attractive coupe version of the popular Plymouth Valiant.
It was pretty and featured the gorgeous wrap-around curved window that came as a strong competitor in the muscle car market. Later in 1967, the second-gen came out with more muscular cues and a competent V8 engine, including the legendary 426 Hemi. In all, the Barracuda remains popular among muscle car enthusiasts even to this day.
6 Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 was the second model car produced by Ferdinand Porsche. Ferdinand was planning for a larger, more powerful vehicle to take over his first model – the 356, only to develop a winning horse that would outlive him.
The 1964 Porsche 911 is an automotive legend known for its beauty and excellent handling. It came with plenty of options, including Targa tops and gasoline-burning cabin heaters, although the Turbo wouldn’t come until the 1970s. The car is still in production even today, and though it has gone through continuous development over the years, the basic concept has remained the same.
5 Chevy Corvette
The second-gen Corvette is hailed as the car that defined the 1960s. The 1963 Corvette was based on the beautiful Mako Shark concept car and featured an independent rear suspension and the big-block V8.
Renowned as a superfast, tough sports car, the Corvette began selling at affordable prices, but these days a big block C2 can sell for over six figures. These cars pushed the envelope in style and performance, and they continue to do so even today.
4 Jaguar E-Type
When the Jaguar E-type first rolled out, it was one of the fastest cars on the road, but it only cost a fraction of other exotics. What’s more interesting, Enzo Ferrari called the E-Type the most beautiful car he’d ever seen. The stunningly gorgeous vehicle was based on a proper racing frame, and its chassis was top-notch.
The Series 1 offered two inline-six engines, a 3.0-liter with non-synchromesh transmission and a 4.2-liter engine with fully synchronized transmission, buttery smooth, if not reliable. Still, the car single-handedly advanced the desirability of British vehicles in the US, which was quite an achievement.
3 Ferrari 250 GTO
The 250 GTO is one of the best-looking vehicles on the list. It is also one of Enzo Ferrari’s earlier designs. At its heart, the car sported a 3.0-liter V12 that delivered a decent 300 horsepower that helped it dominate race tracks worldwide. Furthermore, when it graced the American streets, the 250 GTO was about twice the price of a Corvette, which is not bad for an exotic car that performed well as it did.
Today, the 250 GTO is the most expensive car globally, having sold for over $38 million in 2013 at an auction. One recently sold for $55 million, breaking its own record.
2 Dodge Charger
Considered to have the cleanest muscle car designs of the time, the 1968 Dodge Charger was easily one of the most loved muscle cars. Under the hood, the car came standard with a 440 Magnum engine, which delivered a remarkable 350 horsepower. Not to forget, the car featured in Steve McQueen’s movie, Bullitt, where it performed in one of the most memorable car chase scenes ever.
According to Dodge, this second-gen Charger was loved most by the public, recording a total production of 96,100 units. To date, the 1968 Dodge Charger still makes an impression on enthusiasts and collectors.
1 Pontiac GTO
Speaking of the GTO, this car pushed its competitors to up their game by meaner and leaner machines. Although there were muscle cars before it, the GTO was considered the car that led the pack.
Pontiac offered the GTO as an optional package between 1964 and 1965, then later became its own model from 1966 to 1971. It featured a 335-horsepower 389 cubic V8 engine that earned it legendary status. Fast, solid and mean, the GTO was a massive hit during the muscle car war and is still one of the highly sought-after classics by collectors today.