One of the most glorious decades for car design, the 1960s brought new styling to the industry, evolving from the wonderfully stylish, almost sculptural design paradigm of the '50s. While still gorgeous, as the '60s progressed, more aggressive, and formalized angular designs came to dominate, and continued as a trend into the '70s.
But what 1960s car design revolved around at its best was the "Coke Bottle" style. Defined as having the car's body be narrow, with taller fenders surrounding it, this style is named for its resemblance to what the old school glass Coca-Cola bottles looked like. Originating in the early '60s, many of the greatest car designs from the decade use this style, but of course, some are better than others. So, read on to see the eight greatest car designs based around the Coke Bottle style.
8 AMC Javelin (1971-74)
While mostly known for their affordable and not all that exciting everyday cars, AMC did have some sweet muscle in their lineup. While the Rebel Machine is among their most iconic, the Javelin remains a uniquely styled, and rather beautiful pony car.
Introduced in 1968 with more traditional looks, the Javelin was restyled in 1971 by AMC designer Dick Teague with a blend of traditional muscle car Coke Bottle style body lines, but also some European influence thrown in, creating an overall design that has aged wonderfully. Proving itself in Trans-Am racing, the Javelin remained the dark horse of the pony car scene, but a rather beautiful one at that. Offered with a series of engines up to a 390 V8 with 325 hp, the Javelin could also perform as well as it looked.
7 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda
Originating with Plymouth's affordable commuter called the Valiant, the Barracuda was a beast of a muscle car. For 1970 though, this basis on an average car was ditched, and the 'Cuda was born as its own standalone, incredibly badass model.
Transforming Chrysler's B-body into the shorter and wider E-body, the 'Cuda would also be the basis for the newly introduced Dodge Challenger as well. Previously used as a nickname for performance spec Barracudas, this new muscle car was now officially called the 'Cuda starting in 1970 and had wicked muscle specs like the 426 cu-in Hemi V8 that threw down a truly wicked 425 hp. Beyond power though, the Hemi 'Cuda just looked incredible, being a stand-out example of just how badass a muscle car can be.
6 Dodge Charger (2nd Generation)
Another legendary Mopar classic, the 2nd generation of Dodge Charger is perhaps its most iconic form, sleek and simple, yet properly badass, this muscle car nameplate (unlike the 'Cuda sadly) is still kicking today with beasts like the Hellcat continuing the legacy.
Riding on the B-Body platform, which was the basis for the shortened 'Cuda and Challenger, the Charger's first generation was a sweet car, but the second, which started in 1968 and lasted until 1970, turned it into the badass machine we all know it as. Offered with the legendary 426 cu-in Hemi V8, the 2nd gen Charger could shred its tires with up to 425 hp. More than just powerful though, the Charger is exemplary of Coke Bottle style, with simple and curvy but aggressive body lines, and a badass front and rear end
5 Chevrolet Camaro (1st Generation)
A legendary pony car still in production alongside its eternal rival, the Mustang, the Camaro was one of the coolest muscle cars of the '60s, being both a V8-powered performance threat and a gorgeous example of Coke Bottle styling.
Introduced 3 years after the Mustang, in 1967, the Camaro was Chevy's answer to the groundbreaking, incredibly popular pony car. Hitting the roads with some beautiful styling that's among the most iconic classic muscle cars, the 1st gen Camaro could be had with 285 hp from a 350 cu-in V8 in SS form, but not also could be taken to the extreme with the big block 396 cu-in option, which in standard form made 325 hp, and under the L78 option made a monstrous 375 hp. Still kicking today, the first Camaros are perfect examples of the classic Coke Bottle style.
4 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 (1967-68)
One of the most legendary performance partnerships of the American car industry's history, the Shelby GT500 was about as awesome as the iconic 1st generation Mustang could get, and today is an extremely valuable collector's item.
While the GT350 Mustang was the first of Shelby's modified Mustangs, the GT500 was significantly more brutal and curvy, especially compared to standard Mustangs of the time. Transformed into a monster with a 428 cu-in V8 engine, the GT500 debuted in 1967 with a monstrous 355 hp under the hood. Also receiving handling upgrades like a new roll bar, stiffer suspension, and standard disc brakes (a luxury for the '60s) among other tweaks, the GT500 rightfully earned its reputation with awesome performance and incredibly badass Coke Bottle looks.
3 Pontiac GTO (1968-72)
When it comes to legendarily badass muscle cars, the GTO is up there with the best. While initially a beautiful beast, the 2nd generation is arguably the most uniquely awesome, with more flashy and aggressive styling to it, and a whole host of powerful options.
Introduced in 1964 as an option on the otherwise normal Tempest model, the monstrous GTO kicked off the '60s muscle car wars. Evolving into a more unique, and even more powerful beast in 1968, the GTO could be had with motors like the awesome Ram Air III V8 engine throwing down 366 hp and is perhaps most iconic with the Carousel Red "Judge" package. Sleek and curvy, yet sledgehammer-like with its brutal front end, the 2nd gen GTO is an absolute classic and an example of Coke Bottle styling at its most aggressive.
2 Toyota 2000GT
The car that put Japan on the map as a serious contender in the sports car arena, the Toyota 2000GT is an absolutely stunning machine, often considered among the most beautiful, and most important Japanese cars ever made.
Unveiled in 1965 at the Tokyo Motor Show, and earning on-screen prestige in the 1967 Bond movie You Only Live Twice, the Toyota 2000GT used a Yamaha-developed 2.0-liter inline-6 with 150 hp, giving it respectable performance for the time with its light weight. Packed with advanced technology and construction for its time, the Toyota 2000GT's most attention-grabbing feature was its body, designed with absolutely stunning curves that ring true to the Coke Bottle style.
1 Lamborghini Miura
A legend of legends, the Miura took not only the exotic sports car formula to a new level, but also Coke Bottle style, creating an all-out glamorous machine that would define what a supercar really is, and one that is among the most beautiful cars ever made.
Designed by Bertone and first produced in 1966, the Miura absolutely stunned the world with its gorgeous flowing body design and serious performance with a mid-mounted 350 hp Bizzarini V12 engine. Focused on uncompromising style, as well as having a powerful mid-mounted engine, the Miura set the formula for what a supercar should be. But beyond that, few if any cars can top the Miura for looks, pulling off the Coke Bottle style body lines with a sense of elegance that looks just as good today as it did the day it was released.