It happens often that we look back at the cars of the past and wish some of them would return. Each era has a laundry list of cars that captured enthusiasts' hearts and created treasured memories. The 1970s had classic muscle, while the 1980s has Japanese and European sports cars.
The 1960s, however, employed modest yet extravagant style in North America and across Europe, which manifested in brands spanning from Ford to Maserati, and some brands that no longer exist today. Capitalizing on the nostalgia and reputation of beloved discontinued classics is not a new concept, as cars such as the new Ford Bronco and Toyota Supra have lately proven. But there are so many more cool classic cars we'd like to see back, and these '60s models are some of the best we could ask for.
10 Ford Falcon
While Australia may have held onto the Ford Falcon well into the 1970s, North America lost the Falcon in 1970. Ford sold the Falcon as a coupe, sedan, and station wagon with a 4.9-liter Windsor V8 among its many engine options throughout its brief tenure.
If the Falcon were to ever come back to North America, it would be great to see it as a sporty two-door sedan with a mighty 5-liter Coyote V8 under the hood. However, this seems unlikely as Ford no longer makes a car other than the Mustang.
9 Aston Martin DB5
The distinguished Aston Martin built the DB5 for only two years from 1963 to 1965 but made an impression that lasted a lifetime. Equipped with a 4-liter inline-six producing 282 horsepower, the 3,310-pound DB5 could sprint to 60 mph in just 8 seconds.
If Aston Martin were to bring back the DB5 for modern markets, it would undoubtedly be bigger to accommodate safety equipment, but reviving the DB5's classic and simplistic style could be refreshing.
8 Buick Wildcat
For a short time, the Buick Wildcat showcased its striking facade while cruising the streets from 1963-1970. The Buick Wildcat was a full-size car sold as a hardtop sedan and convertible with either two or four doors.
Buick managed to shove a massive 7-liter V8 under the hood, called the Nailhead, which used two four-barrel carburetors to produce 465 lb-ft of torque. If Buick sedans were to make a comeback, a two-door with GM's 10-liter V8 could be a good start to honoring the Wildcat.
7 Chrysler 300 Letter Series
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For 10 years Chrysler built a series of "Letter Cars", each denoted by a "300" preceding the letter. It was a high-performance personal luxury car that started life in 1955 with a 300-horsepower 5.4-liter V8.
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The Chrysler 300 Letter Cars were only ever sold as two-door coupes and convertibles, which along with its class, made it a stunning competitor for the Ford Thunderbird. As the 300C is facing extinction, Chrysler could bring back a V8-equipped two-door coupe or convertible to keep the 300 Letter Car legacy alive.
6 Chevrolet Corvair
The Chevrolet Corvair was a modern marvel. A two-door mid-engine sports car featuring a flat-six mated to a Powerglide automatic transmission. Customers could also choose either a 3 or 4-speed manual.
Chevrolet Corvairs had subpar handling from the factory at first until it received the Monza trim level, which adorned significant suspension upgrades. Chevrolet's new C8 Corvette is mid-engine, but it's been decades since General Motors produced a nimble mid-engine roadster.
5 Studebaker Commander
Studebaker was an American car company that seldom crops up in casual conversation. Studebakers exhibited exceptional and unique styles throughout their tenure, and this was no less apparent in the Commander. In the 1960s the Commander had become an angular car with simple lines and sparse chrome trim.
At its most powerful, the Studebaker Commander used a 290-horsepower 4.7-liter V8 and could hit 60 mph in just 7.3 seconds. A Studebaker Commander revival is long overdue if only to preserve its iconic style.
4 Lamborghini 350 GT
It's easy to spot a Lamborghini on the road. They stick out like sore thumbs, with a plethora of winglets and a wedge-shaped front end. However, Lamborghini didn't always resort to these tricks in order to make their cars stand out. Lamborghini made the 350 GT for two years from 1964, and during that time it had a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V12.
The 350 GT stands out with its bug-eye headlights and chiseled rear end but subdues extravagant exterior features for a more mature attitude. It would be interesting to see a more modest Lamborghini, much like the 350 GT.
3 Bizzarrini Strada
Giotto Bizzarrini designed and released The Strada in 1964 after he left Ferrari. It was light as a feather at 2,646 pounds, with a 5.4-liter Chevrolet V8 engine pumping 365 horsepower to the rear wheels from a front-mid placement.
The Strada looks like a race car with its low profile and shapely fenders but was designed to go on the road. Bizzarrini only built it until 1968. It would be up to Ferrari or Maserati to bring this car back to life.
2 Facel Vega Facel II
The Facel II came out of a little company in France called Facel Vega. Only 183 were built between 1962 and 1964, and they all used 6.3 and 6.7-liter V8s from Chrysler, and a maximum of 390 horsepower. It could accelerate to 150 mph making it one of the fastest cars of its time.
The Facel II exudes authority. From its aggressive stacked headlights perched alongside a three-part front grille, the 4-seater coupe spoiled the driver with luxuries such as power steering and windows, four-wheel disc brakes, a limited-slip differential, and air conditioning. If the Facel II were to return, it would be as if Rolls Royce made a sporty coupe.
1 Maserati 3500 GT
We all know how beautiful Maseratis can be, and the 3500 GT confirms that conviction. It almost looks like a mix of a Ferrari 250 GT and an Aston Martin DB5 from the front, but at the back, it holds onto an Italian-influenced flair.
The Maserati 3500 GT used a 3.5-liter inline-six mounted at the front and produced 230 horsepower with fuel injection. It was sophisticated in other ways as well, down to its tubular frame and dual overhead camshafts. Maserati could return to its unique old-school style with a revival of the 3500 GT.