Besides being one of the most exciting decades in human history, the '60s was also a time of significant advancements in the car industry. The motoring world came a long way from chrome fins of the late '50s to streamline Coke-bottle shapes of the '60s, along with the hidden headlights, fuel injection, and high-horsepower engines of the '60s.
Everything was better and more powerful than ever before, and the sports car world transformed immensely in just a few years. With rising power, aerodynamics played a significant role for the first time as well as advanced construction methods.
Here are the 15 fastest cars of that amazing decade. You will be amazed that some of them are very fast even by today's standards.
15 Aston Martin DB4 GT – 151 MPH
For a brief moment, this gorgeous Aston Martin was the fastest production car in the world. Although the 151 mph doesn’t sound like such an enormous speed, you have to understand that this was the time when 60 mph was considered very fast.
14 Shelby Super Snake – 170 MPH
The 1967 Shelby Super Snake was designed to break the top speed record and test new Goodyear tires designed for extreme speeds. The car managed to achieve 170 mph flat out thanks to a 427 V8 engine from the GT40 race car.
13 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1 – 180 MPH
The mythical Corvette ZL1 was a very rare (2 produced) beast powered by an all-aluminum 427 V8 with over 500 hp in stock trim. Since the car was basically a prototype, we have to rely on manufacturer results, and back in 1969, Chevrolet managed to get this 'Vette to incredible 180 mph.
12 De Tomaso Mangusta – 160 MPH
Powered by Ford's V8 engine, the DeTomaso Mangusta was a cool-looking Italian-American sports car. Produced between 1967 and 1971, it preceded the much more famous Pantera and was sold in Lincoln-Mercury dealerships.
11 Dodge Charger Daytona – 200 MPH
The magical 200-mph top speed was achieved by the NASCAR-spec Daytona with basically the same drive train as a stock example. The Daytona, powered by a mighty Hemi, was one of the first cars in the world tested in NASA's wind tunnel and fitted with a front cone and spoiler for better aerodynamics at high speeds.
10 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 – 180 MPH
The gorgeous Ferrari 365 GTB/4 was better known as Daytona and was a very advanced sports car by late '60s standards. With transaxle setup, 4-cam V12 engine, disc brakes all around it was as fast as it was good looking.
9 Lamborghini Miura – 175 MPH
One of the first supercars the world has ever seen was the 1967 Lamborghini Miura. Just look at it: a mid-mounted V12, fantastic design, low silhouette, and 350 hp on tap. It had stability problems at high speeds, but never the less it was capable of achieving 175 mph.
8 Jaguar E-Type – 155 MPH
When it was first introduced in 1961, the E-Type was a proper sensation. Its design, powerful straight-six engine, and exciting performance made it one of the greatest sports cars of all time.
7 Porsche 904 – 165 MPH
Despite having a tiny 2.0-liter flat-four/six engine, the Porsche 904 was speedy and could achieve 165 mph. This barely street-legal sports car was also very light and had excellent aerodynamics, which allowed it to travel so fast.
6 Shelby Cobra 427 – 160 MPH
The mighty and legendary Cobra with big-block 427 was one of the craziest cars of the '60s. It had the potential to go much higher than 160 mph, but its roadster body and poor aerodynamics limited its top speed.
5 Ferrari 500 Superfast – 175 MPH
The magnificent 500 Superfast was designed to jump continents at high speeds and in full comfort and luxury. That is why it was equipped with a monster of an engine, plush interior, and Gran Turismo body.
4 Maserati Ghibli SS – 170 MPH
One of our favorite GT cars from the '60s, the Maserati Ghibli SS was also an extremely fast and machine. With the 4.9-liter V8 350 SS engine and excellent aerodynamics, this Italian exotic could top 170 mph with ease.
3 Toyota 2000 GT – 130 MPH
Although its top speed wasn’t fascinating even then, the Toyota 2000 GT was an extraordinary car in every way. It had an unbelievable level of detail, bespoke interior, and a delicious high-revving straight-six engine.
2 Chevrolet Corvette L88 – 155 MPH
The ZL1 was basically unobtainable by ordinary folks, but the L88 package was available to everybody. This meant that you were guaranteed an advertized 435 hp from your 427 V8 engine (which was actually closer to around 500 hp) and a top speed of over 150 mph.
1 Bizzarinni 5300 GT Strada – 170 MPH
Another exciting Italian-American hybrid was the fantastic Bizzaring 5300 GT Strada. Borrowing a 327 V8 from the Corvette but tuning it to over 350 hp and putting it into a supercar body, the Giotto Bizzarinni created a road-going race car capable of achieving an insanely high top speed.