The 60s – as many people say, “you had to be there”, or perhaps more appropriately, “you had to be there…..and lucid.” It was a special time, and maybe it’s just something about the number 6, but as I enter the sixth decade of my life with a birthday this month, I find myself looking back ever more fondly at the 60s.
Tumultuous is certainly one word to describe it. Social change, political change….it was marked by highs (civil rights, The Beatles, the Apollo moon landing) and lows (losing John Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Robert Kennedy, and the Vietnam War), but I keep coming back to the realization of how thankful I am for the opportunity to experience that decade. The 50s, 70s, 80s, 90s, the “aughts”, …..those were all interesting, but they just don’t come anywhere close to the excitement and energy that was “the 60s.”
And that was certainly true if you were an automotive enthusiast and had a passion for cars. While memories of other things are fading with age, I still thankfully have clear, crisp recollections of some of the more memorable automotive experiences from that decade – it’s hard to narrow them all down, but let me share with you three “jaw-droppers” – three cars from the 60s that just absolutely left me mesmerized the first time I saw them – and still emotionally resonate even today.
1963 Studebaker Avanti – “Other Worldly”
The first time I saw an Avanti I could hardly find my jaw, let alone pick it up off the floor. This car was different – I mean real different. I happen to find the design absolutely striking – though there were other opinions at the time that were more critical. Why was it so striking? Well, it’s probably tough for younger folks to understand, but prior to the Avanti, almost all cars had grilles – grilles being a major styling element of the car; essentially the car’s “face.” The Avanti had no grille – and that just made for a totally unique design. The rest of the car was just as breathtaking. Line up a sample of cars from 1963 – then pick the one that looks like it came off the assembly line twenty years later…… Timelessly beautiful.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray – “Lithe muscularity”
Prior to the ‘63 Sting Ray, European cars tended to be “lithe” – sleek, graceful…… US cars were “muscular” – think Hudson Hornets and Olds 88s, later Chrysler 300s, and early 60s Chevy 409s, Pontiac 421s, and Dodge 413s. The 63 Sting Ray was the first car to successfully combine those two philosophies – in an utterly perfect and arresting design. The sharp edged front end with hidden headlights, the graceful low beltline leading over the flared “hips” to the edged rear that mimics the front. Of seven generations of Corvettes, it’s my clear favorite – and collectors too. Stunning.
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado – “Presence”
What’s presence? Let’s just define it as the ability of a car to initially attract and hold your attention. Many cars from the 60s had presence – 60s slab-sided Lincolns all had it, so did various Cadillac’s and the 64-66 Chrysler Imperial. But no large car had more presence than the 66 Toro. A beautifully balanced design that just screams “concept car” – something from the future that you could actually purchase and drive today. The fact that it was so innovative from a mechanical and technical perspective just added to its allure. GM’s best large car design, ever.
So, what cars from the sixties have dropped your jaw the most?
IMO the most jaw dropping car is the 1969 Mustang Mach 1’s and the Boss Mustang’s.
+1 – I’d take a first generation Cougar XR-7 as well.
For me, it was the 67 and 68 Thunderbird. It was the first car that really held my attention as a young boy because it looked so different, especially was conventional auto features were reworked; the lack of headlights and the way the rear was an illuminated hoop in place of individual tail lights. I bought one when I was 23, and found it was also really nice to drive. The 429 is a free revving powerhouse, the interior, with buckets and a console is comfortable with a cool retro-60’s feel, all in all, a nice driving car.
I like your thinking, but the 66 T-Bird Convertible in light blue metallic with a white interior and white top, with its sequential turn signals, and… oh yeah, that car does it for me. I’d take a 1968 Impala set up the same way. ;o)
Are you talking about US cars only? If not, surely any list must include the Lamborghini Miura; there was nothing like it on the roads back then (I do not consider race specials like the Ford GT 40 as road car in the true sense of the word). Then there was the NSU Ro 80, the prototype for all Audi styling to date, at least 15 years ahead of its time style wise. Again, there was nothing anything like it when it first appeared. Oh, yes: the Jaguar XJ 6, William Lyons’ last and probably most complete car.
Good catch – I should have specified US domestic manufacturers. Wholeheartedly concur on the Miura – and Jags; both XKE and original XJ6.
No probs and, by the way, I cannot fault your choices (in particular the Avanti, another styling milestone).
From the US the 1963-1965 Buick Riviera, especially the 1965.
From Europe all Ferrari and Maserati Gran Turismo models, like this 1965 Ferrari 330 GT, once owned by John Lennon.
Or this 1966 Maserati Sebring 3500 GTI S Series 2. Now that’s a true and genuine GTI, as in Gran Turismo Injection. Not quite the same as a compact hatchback wearing those letters…
Another handsome car but also reflecting more 50s than genuine new 60s design. The 3500 GT goes back to 1957.
My imaginary jaws started to drop in the fifties and continued to do so way into the sixties.
Interesting. The design of that Ferrari is really is more 50s than 60s, though, and the weird double headlights do it no favors.
Gotta agree with the 63 Corvette, but the 68 is close. The 60s was the pinnacle for car styling as far as I’m concerned though, impossible to pick just one.
+1 don’t know how you can pick a favorite–I have so many. There are dozens of Bill Mitchell greats, just for starters…
The Avanti. Perfect choice. Sting Ray, yes. I remember the first time I saw them, but the Avanti was the most fantastic of all.
The others for me: 65 Corvair, 65 Continental [ peak year for me ], 63 Riviera, 61 Thunderbird. Never was mesmerized by the Toronado for some reason.
My sixtieth birthday is this month too, Lincolnman. Hope you have many happy years ahead.
Yes, agree with all your choices – I’m a big fan of the 65-69 Corvair – would love to have a nice yellow convertible. The 61 Thunderbird, and later Sports Roadsters were also drop-dead gorgeous.
Thank you and best birthday wishes to you too.
I’d like to have a Corvair 4 door hardtop!
’63 Sting Ray split rear window is the car for the ages.
No contest. The Lamborghini Miura…
….but if you’re talking strictly U.S. built, I’ll go with the ’63 Split Window.
Right behind that is the first gen Riviera….
It’s a beautiful car, but I wouldn’t call it jaw dropping. The ’66 Toronado, which I actually like less, was much more stunning.
Your point is well taken, but I was speaking strictly subjectively. The Toronado’s unconventional styling is certainly more dramatic but I left a big drool stain on my shirt the first time I saw a Riv when it was introduced in late 1962. 😀
Toronado stunning?
Yeah stunning, because finding out it was FWD, was weird, just like the Eldorado… Which to me was the better looking of the two.
I’ll go with Gene, and stick with the 63-65 Riviera, good looking and RWD, like a personal luxury car should be.
Jay Leno has a RWD converted 60’s Toronado. I was like, “Good move, Jay, you’re doing what the factory should have done, in the first place.”
But, in the back of my mind, I was thinking , “Why waste all that money on an ugly turd.”
Never liked the original Toronados, still don’t… The Toronados IMO got better looking around 1972, when it looked more like the Eldorado.
I especially like the 78 Toronado XS, with the rare glass backlight.
I would say that the most radical styled car was the 67 Eldorado. A car that was the pinnacle of styling for Cadillac, they never made a car like that before, and they never made one like it after. It really was a triumph of style in the decade that was bold in and of itself.
Honorary mentions would be the 63 Riviera, 66 Toronado, 62 Continental, 68 Mark III, 69 Charger, the Cougar, the 64 and 69 Imperials, C2 Corvette, 65 Pontiac GTO. Really, there are too many to list for me because the 60s was the pinnacle of car design in my opinion.
I agree about the Eldordo of 67. It set a standard Cadillac never reached. Did the 70s Fleetwood Talisman come close?
The ’67 ElDorado IS a landmark in styling (and in my opinion superior to the Toro…) But I REALLY want a ’74 Talisman…… Or a ’75 Park Avenue… I’m due for a new Broughamance!
It didn`t come close, that Talisman interior, especially in leather…..oooh baby! The stuff Brougham dreams are made of.If a car could be tasteful and in your face at the same time, this has to be it.
It doesn’t hurt that the commentator was probably between 15 and 25, age when it seems the human is most malleable to the trends and ideas of others. In my 60’s, you have a long road to hoe to convince me my life-long learning ideas are stale. Probably a good thing, too, as were we easily dissuaded in our dotage, we would follow the Lemmings off the cliff.
?
E type Jaguar 1961, anything else in the sporty line was trying to compete with that
+1
and the XJ6 for the most jaw dropping saloon.
+1
Second that !!! …the first 3.8 E-Type !!! – (even Enzo himself said he was gob-smacked by it . . )
Agree completely. Series 1 convertible.1964/5 thunderbird convertible was a real looker too.
+3.8
For me it’s the Buick Riviera of 1963. The first one I ever saw was in Los Angeles in 1997. Long, low and wide: it’s forward slanting nose was elegantly aggressive. The surfaces all met beautifully and the proportions were perfect. You couldn’t quite tell how big it really was. I made this car the subject of my car design MA, trying to find a way to make the big coupe acceptable to the audience of 2000. Alas, I got that wrong though Audi’s A5 and A7 cars seem to have some of the same elegance in modern idiom.
From Europe might I suggest the Jaguar XJ saloons? Are these not among the most beautiful cars made? Flawed but gorgeous, they have complex sculpture and remarkably compact proportions – they look dainty today. However, they are cars like the DS and Saab 900 and Lancia Florida that you can’t peel your eyes off.
Yes, I was considering doing a “Top 5” and the 63 Riviera would have been included in there. Bill Mitchell at his most elegant and tasteful.
Maybe not quite “jaw dropping”, but the 1960 Corvair was the most influential car of the whole decade, design-wise. It was the first car to break with all of the 50s design cues.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-how-the-1960-corvair-started-a-global-design-revolution/
There were a lot of jaw-dropping designs all through the decade, especially from Italy. It was one jaw-dropper after another really; my jaw is still recuperating. As far as production cars, I’d probably have to give the nod to the Miura. That one really got my youthful jaw bent out of shape.
I agree with you on the Corvair, but feel that the ones from ’65 on had a certain gracefulness that made them look almost European. But not exactly jaw-dropping.
For all out jaw-dropping, in-your-face, look-at-me styling, it’s difficult to top the 1968 Corvette.
I agree, Then again I’ve been a sucker for ANY Corvair since I was a kid. Even though I generally have little interest in compacts, The Corvair struck me as THE cool US car of the era, I love both generations styling for different reasons.
Perhaps the most humble cars we used and we accepted are the most jaw dropping, perhaps because they were so advanced but still we embraced them because they satisfied a needd; so in this case I can only think of the Renault 4 and the Renault 16, they were innovating in a different way.
But we bought them; millions of them and they pushed the boundries of the automobile.
The Corvair was certainly very influential style wise, but if we count the August 1959 Mini as a 1960 model, then it was arguably the most influential car of the 60s, and without doubt so in Europe.
Gotta have me a Dino.
Original Mustang and the first 4 seat Thunderbird. One of the times that Ford caught GM napping and smacked them up aside the head so hard that GMs response took two years (Pontiac Grand Prix) and three years (Chevrolet Camaro) respectively.
(I know the reborn personal luxury more than two passenger Thunderbird was 1958 to 1960 but Thunderbird in general is far more associated with the 1960s than the 1950s)
Judging by the comments so far, I think we’ve about covered it! 🙂
Anything else is likely to show personal bias.
GM: First-gen Riv, Toronado, ’63 ‘Vette
From abroad: Miura, E-Type
Ford: Maybe the ’61 Continental, definitely the GT-40 if we count race cars
Other: Avanti
I have a lot of other loves, but those are probably the jaw-droppers, even if a few aren’t really on my personal favorite lists.
I would suggest the 1961 Lincoln Continental. I find the monolithic three-box styling to be somewhat defining of 60s car design.
+1 – In an era of excess, an actual downsizing of luxury, with curved side glass and slab sides accented by rather than slathered with chrome – an influential design.
The downsizing and “cleaning” up styling was “new” for 61, As far as the “3 box’ configuration, It is not (to me) indicative of a 60s revolution, Is there REALLY a huge styling philosophy separating a 1949 Plymouth,1961 Lincoln (or a 1959 Ford Galaxie…) 1977 GM “B/C” bodies or the 2005+ Chrysler 300?
You make a fair point. I suppose it lies in the details; there is little distintion of hood bulge and fenders (apart from the sharp chrome ridge) which defies alot of traditinal car design conventions.
When I think of a 60s car, shapes like the FIAT 128, Volvo 144 come to mind. Essentially very intentionally square shapes if you will, and the Lincoln sort of started that trend (atleast in my mind though I could be wrong)
I would argue that the 77 GM B/C bodies and the Chrysler have a slightly 60s vibe.. Although they also make a point of having a prominent grille and hood bulge, which gives them a more reactionary look than the Lincoln…
But I’m no expert 😛 I’m just throwing my own ideas out there…
I agree totally about the Avanti. The 63 Corvette doesn’t rate a second look from me, nor does the Toronado.
My most lustworthy 60s car is a 65 Mustang 2+2 fastback. Nicely equipped it just looked so right to me. I also had and still have a bad case of lust for the 67 Dodge Coronet R/T.
If I were to pick just 1, I don’t think I could. Many of the best examples I can’t afford. So if I picked a “jaw – dropping” design I could also afford to buy and drive it would be a 67 Buick Riviera GS.
The 1961 Lincoln and the Avanti are two great choices. The difference to me is that the Avanti seems purely a car of its time. Look at the photo at the top of the page, and the car is stunning in the environs of the architecture and dress of the day. Seeing the Avanti anywhere today, it looks like a fish out of water, a freak of sorts, like Dean Martin at a rave party. The Lincoln seems to work anyplace, anytime, and carries its elegance and grace with it, wherever it goes. Even rusty and faded in a storage lot somewhere, the Lincoln will still work, in my eyes.
If course, maybe it is because I know the Avanti was a last futile gesture of a failing car company, an automotive Hail Mary for a production line that was about to go quiet forever.
Some designs are so “pure” that they kinda defy time, The ’61 Lincoln is one. The ’77 Buick Electra I would count as a ’70s example. With steel roof and Buick “sport wheels”, It actually looks more “modern’ than the ’92 Cadillac Brougham, even though they shared basically the same body!
” a fish out of water…like Dean Martin at a rave party”
I’m gonna use that line!
There’s way too many to list, but I think the second generation Corvair was one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
+1
+2
My vote goes to the 66 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. Going all modern, European and smaller. England joining the Common Market?
Game, set, match.
This was my choice, too. Everyone seems to be gravitating to classic, timeless designs, but that’s not really “jaw-dropping”. The Daytona, OTOH, was a very thinly disguised, aerodynamic, track car.
If the Daytona and Superbird hadn’t kicked butt in NASCAR, they would’ve been just a curious historical footnote. As Enzo Ferrari once said, “Race cars are neither beautiful nor ugly. They become beautiful when they win.”
I have never been a NASCAR fan, but the first time I saw one of these on the street, and knew it was factory, it was truly a jaw-dropping moment.
No other car mentioned, no matter how pretty or important in the marketplace, had the same effect on me.
Maybe we should do this year by year as there are so many superb choices.
For 1964 it has to be the 1964 1/2 Mustang. This was especially inspiring for me because of all the cars mentioned it is the only one I actually had a chance of affording.
For 1963 it has to be the Grand Prix for me.
I was scrolling down wondering if anyone else would say the E-type. That’s the car that made the greatest impact on me at the time. Unlike many other sixties greats, and there are many, I actually saw these on the road and up close too. I can relate to the E-type. It thrilled me to look at as a child, and the adult me concurs, and always has. I can sit and look at one for ages, still discovering little nuances of the shape. Simply brilliant.
The Sixties was such a diverse decade. So much seemed to happen that it’s hard to imagine how we managed to fit so much into only ten years! Automotively speaking, car shapes changed quite a bit, but I’m not sure such a lot changed in a technological sense – not so far as the average family was concerned. We started the decade with a four-cylinder front engine/rear drive supposed-six-seater (’55 Morris Oxford), and finished it with a six cylinder front engine/rear drive more spacious six-seater (’67 Ford Falcon). Hmm; not a lot of progress there.
But then, there was the Miura. I’ve never seen a real one, just my little Matchbox #33 and the various scale models of it that I’ve built since then. What a shape! The most beautiful production car ever.
But for me it’s E-type #1, Miura #2.
I was born in 1977 so I came after the 1960’s but to me I think the 61-99 Lincoln Continental should be one of the cars that would have caused a bit of jaw dropping. With this car the automotive world said adios to the 1950’s. It certainly caught Cadillac and Chrysler(with all their large finned rear ends) sleeping.
If that was not enough, a modified version was a 4 wheel witness to one of the most seminal and tragic events of the 1960’s, the assassination of JFK, which was jaw dropping in itself.
This is a great QOTD. My inner 50 something car guy wants to answer it one way, my inner little boy (that’s what I was in the ’60s) wants to answer it another. The cars that always turned my head back then were the original Stingray, first gen Buick Riviera, ’67-’68 Cougar and the ’66-’67 Charger. And of those I’ve gotta go with the Riv, because it was always my favourite back then. Interestingly, none of them are on my list of potential hobby cars when I soon retire. I’m thinking ’65 or ’66 Corsa with a 4 carb engine, and I never even noticed Corvairs back then. Good thingtoo, given what the “jaw droppers” are bringing today.
I loved what Pontiac did with it’s full size lineup in 1963 and continued through about 1968. My father owned three Bonnevilles, a ’64, a ’65 and a ’68. The ’68 Bonneville Safari was the first car I drove all by myself alone in the car when I was 12 years old.
Timeless design.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Lincolnman, but if you are entering your sixth decade you are turning fifty. That means you were alive only during the last half of the sixties, and would not remember much of that. So, my guess is that you are turning sixty, which means you are entering your seventh decade. Don’t feel bad, I am only a couple of months behind you.
As has been said many times, there are so many to choose from. I am a brougham fan, so the ’67 Eldorado and one I haven’t seen mentioned, the ’69 Mark III stand out in my mind. The Eldorado was more of a revolutionary design, but as Paul has documented, it came up short. The Mark was a new skin on an old body, but I think the overall execution was better than the Eldorado.
Thanks Patrick – you’re quite correct – turned sixty January 2nd. Saying I’m entering my seventh decade though sure sounds more depressing……
I too like both the 67 Eldo and 69 Mark III – maybe because I’m a Lincoln fan I also prefer the Mark.
Carabo
For me, the Jaguar E-Type. Stunning for the time. Even Enzo Ferrari called it “The most beautiful car ever made”. One of very few cars permanently on display at the New York City Museum of Modern Art. I remember people’s reaction to them in the ’60’s, and they still turn heads today.
Looking back, the one car that was completely far out, so far out that it is still completely far out, would be the Citroen DS. It was a Buck Rogers space craft when new and I have to think that always will be. It was a product of the 50’s but was imported into the U.S. until the mid 70’s.
Can you clarify? Show cars included? Jaw dropping as in WTF jaw dropping as some seem to have posted above? I will have to think a bit on this one since the 60s wasn’t all that eye popping at the time except for the 1966 Toronado or 1968 Eldorado when they first arrived.
Corvette Stingray-C2 & C3
Lamborghini Miura
Pontiac GTO
Stingrays: Admit it. Today, should one of these come into your line of sight, you stop everything, just to take it all in.
Miura: In real life, I’ve never seen not a one. But to view one in pictures is to view automotive design at it’s ultimate perfection. Can it get any better than that design? No.
Pontiac GTO: Big motor in a small car body, it started with the Goat. It ushered in the era of the “supercar”, eclipsed by the 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6; but the GTO was first. It’s spirit lives on today in Challenger Hellcats, Camaro SS’s & ZL1’s, in Mustang GT’s, Charger RT’s, anywhere big horsepower V8’s burn rubber on the road. The GTO made it okay for Detroit to set out in a horsepower race, for street supremacy. That mindset survives today.
Very Honorable Mention: Ford Mustang. Arguably the greatest of the cars from the decade of the 60’s. It spawned competitors from Plymouth, Dodge, Pontiac, Chevrolet and American Motors. The galloping horse still runs today. Jaw dropping and inspiring to any young and mobile american of that decade.
So many others to consider. It was a great decade for cars.
I’ll have to go with the E Jag, but it wasn’t the body that shocked me. It was the engine. I was bringing my hopeless ’52 Morris convertible into a British car dealer to see if he could do anything with it. He couldn’t, but while I was waiting I noticed a new Jag with its hood open. BANG! A work of art, meant to be seen only by the owner and mechanic.
too many to list but for me its the 68 Charger
It’s interesting how few MoPars have been suggested among through this thread, but the ’68-69 Charger is highly deserving and although it began as a ‘me too’ in the pony car world, if you were around in the 60s that car was definitely a consistent topic of enthusiast talk (‘jaw-dropping’).
There are a lot of them, here my list.
61: Jaguar E-Type, Ford Thunderbird.
62: Lincoln Continental, Ferrari GTO
63: Corvette, Riviera, Avanti.
64: Porsche 901 (911).
65: Mustang Fastback,
66: Toronado, Lambo Miura.
67: Eldorado, Riviera, Maserati Ghibli.
68: Pontiac GTO, Charger, Corvette.
69: Fuselage Chryslers, Pontiac GP.
This is almost impossible; 1963 Riviera, 1965 Corvair,1967 Eldorado….And Im only getting started on GM! there’s still MoPar and FoMoCo to get to…..A list would approach the NYC phone book (remember those?).
There are a lot of them, here my list.
61: Jaguar E-Type, Ford Thunderbird.
62: Lincoln Continental, Ferrari GTO
63: Corvette, Riviera, Avanti.
64: Porsche 901 (911).
65: Mustang Fastback,
66: Toronado, Lambo Miura.
67: Eldorado, Riviera, Maserati Ghibli.
68: Pontiac GTO, Charger, Corvette.
69: Fuselage Chryslers, Pontiac GP.
All beautiful cars. I vote for the 1966 dodge charger, the 1966 cadillac, and the 1966 Chevy.
Sex on wheels, even in B/W.
61 – 62 Ghia L6.4
The 1965, ’66, and ’67 full-size Pontiacs.
I was 11 when the ’68s came out, and when it was time to trade in our ’65 Bonneville Safari wagon (2-seat, white with blue trim; our first air-conditioned car), I was given a vote as to whether we’d get a ’67 or a ’68 Executive wagon, both dealer demonstrators. Damn right I picked the ’67.
I still remember that car very well. The Executive wagon, new for ’67, was Pontiac’s first venture into exterior woodtone vinyl; being a demonstrator, ours also had a black vinyl roof, a chrome roof rack, AND a rear window air deflector. (Turquoise paint; the hood was the only sheetmetal panel with no amount of vinyl on it.) The interior was great, with what I still think is the nicest dashboard of any 1965-70 GM car, despite the loss of the real wood veneer Pontiac had used through 1966. Ours also had the integrated 8-track player, although the stereo speaker placement was odd – one at top center of dash, the other over the right rear wheel well.
Later I drove a ’66 Bonneville convertible with a/c (1974 through ’91); sold it and most of a parts car to someone who was collecting such cars for future restoration in far-off Detroit Lakes, MN.
My dream car would probably be a ’67 Bonneville wagon (which omitted the exterior woodtone vinyl and offered all the same options as the Executive) – but with modern safety equipment and drivetrain, brakes, etc.
Short list
E Type Jaguar
A/c Cobra
Split Window Corvette
66-67 Toronado
BTW, the expression is “if you remember the 60s,you probably weren`t there. Believe it is credited to Dennis Hopper.
Forgot this somehow, Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona!
Hugely ahead of it’s time stylistically, and for a young me those awesome corner lights are just embedded in my mind from Miami Vice reruns and my well worn VHS tape of Gumball Rally. It was also one of the first “old cars” I recognized as being superior to every last one of it’s successors, including the “technically” better ones contemporary to my lifetime – Given my general outlook on today’s cars that’s one hell of an influence on me personally, and indeed it was from the great decade of the 60s.
Forgot about that, one of my favorite Ferrari’s of all time.
A few come to mind…
Lotus Elan GT coupe
Lotus XI GT coupe
Shelby Daytona Super Coupe
Ford GT40
Chevy Corvette Cheetah
For me it depends,
Etype Jaguar for series production street legal car, nothing else comes close.
The Cheetah gets the nod in terms of sheer WTF craziness. The drive shaft consists of a single U-joint.
Overall I’d say the GT40
If we’re going to talk jags, we can’t neglect the low drag coupe
purely in terms of looks, I consider the Lotus Eleven GT fastback coupe to be a sort of an uber jaguar. The bulbous front fenders, wire spoke wheels, polished aluminum body all say jaguar to me.
Also, this Lotus eleven is the car I consider to be the most beautiful car ever in the history of cars. Unfortunately its also one of the rarest. This article used the phrase “jaw dropping” though. Different people will ascribe different meanings to that phrase. To me, it can’t be jaw dropping on looks alone. Jaw dropping also will require phenomenal performance.
I probably should’ve posted a street legal version of the GT40. Its more attractive than the race car version.
Does it count if the production version doesn’t come out until 1970? The 1967 concept car that became the Alfa Romeo Montreal is the most jaw-dropping vehicle of the era. I’m glad they didn’t make too many of them as I’m less likely to mortgage the house to buy one if I can’t find one…
Ferarri 250 GTO
Datona Shelby Cobra Coupe
…and whatever this thing is.
I have not been able to identify what this car is. Someone help me out here. Thanks.
Kellison J6
Kit car?
Thanks a bunch. Seriously. This has been in my mystery file for a long time. I absolutly LOVE LOVE LOVE the look of this car…but I knew nothing about it. I had no clue what it was or how to go about identifying it.
I’m reading up on it now…interesting.
www is pretty good on this brand…
http://www.hotrod.com/features/history/articles/0505kc-kellison-kit-cars/
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2014/04/18/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1963-kellison-j6/
http://www.kellisoncars.com/
Amazing.
This guy made cars look very nearly like I would if I was making my own cars.
Was a CC post a few years ago Paul found one.
Geoff Hacker’s “Forgotten Fiberglass” has become the definitive site for these and other kit cars of the early 1950’s.
It was a very short period when lots of guys were trying there hand at producing the cars of their dream out of the new “miracle” material. If the car generated enough interest, some guys would crank a few more copies out to defray their start up costs. For some, it turned into a bit of a cottage industry. The Kellison was one of the more successful brands, lasting well into the 1960’s.
There’s MUCH more to the story of Kellison, Astra, and many other obscure brands on Jeff’s site….
http://www.forgottenfiberglass.com/?s=kellison&x=11&y=12
TVR Tuscan V8
If it’s so jaw-dropping, why has no one ever heard of it?
no one ???
I’ve heard of it
You’ve heard of it
That’s 2 for 2
Bristol 406
that mings
The 60s gave us so many beautiful cars that it’s hard to choose but I feel the Toyota 2000GT must be up there. I had the pleasure to see one next to an E-Type and to me there is no contest: the Toyota is the prettier car.
Mercury Cyclone
i’d put a tentative vote in for a 68 park lane
Apollo 5000 GT coupe
“Take the Special, he likes that one…”
Ginetta G4
From the U.S. perspective of a 60 year old, the 60s cars that adults talked about, the cars my peers talked about, the cars that toy makers featured, and our subject here, the ‘jaw-dropping’ cars, all intersect in the following list:
1. 61 Jaguar E-type
2. 61 Thunderbird
3. 63 Vette
4. 63 Riviera
5. 64 1/2 Mustang
Having said that my personal choice of just one (difficult as it is to select just one) is the ’66 Riviera. And it wins because of the interior just as much as the exterior.
That’s something that can be said of every car on the top 5 list above, yet can’t be said of the ’67 Eldo (much as I love them), whose interior is ‘ok’, but not jaw-dropping.
The sixties was a jaw dropping decade. Where do you start? It would be easier to list the few duds.
A VERY good point, Dave, especially for those of us who came of age in those days.
I think the first “dud” of the 60s would be the Corvair.
I am going to argue that the 60’s didn’t end until 31 December 1970, just so I can include the 1970 TransAm Pontiac.
To my mind, it deserves to join the other great cars listed here, in Automotive Valhalla.
In actual fact you are correct. The 60’s begin January 1, 1961 and end December 31, 1970. The reason for this is that there is no year zero. Year 1 BC, or -1 is followed by year 1, not year zero.
The 60s are the 60s. The decade of the 60s is 1960–1969.
The seventh decade of the 20th century began Jan 1 1961 and ended Dec 31 1970.
That would imply that the first decade is only 9 years long.
the first decade (ten years) of the 20th century is 1901-1910. The first decade (ten years) of the 1900s is 1900-1909.
1900s ≠ 20th century.
The sixties could be considered the sixth decade of the twentieth century. I think the beginning and ending of the “sixties” is ambiguous-are we talking about numbers or calendar years?
Keep in mind that a 1970 Trans Am was likely assembled in the year 1969 anyway.
It was a spring 1970 intro, along with the 1970 Camaro and Corvette. Why it wasn’t introduced as a 1971, I don’t know.
What about customs? Seems like the Batmobile would fill the bill quite nicely.
Of course the Batmobile was made from the 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car, and was relatively little changed. If custom cars are being considered, I’d nominate one of Ed Roth’s creations, Dean Jeffries’ Mantaray, or the Alexander Brothers’ Deora pickup.
I’d have to go for the Miura.
Otherwise, how about John Lennon’s psychedelically-painted Rolls Royce? I bet that caused a few jaws to hit the floor.
Big 3 –
GM – ’66-’67 GTO
Ford (tie) ’61-’69 Continental and ’69-’70 Mustang fastback
Chrysler – ’64-’66 Imperial
Import – BMW E9
AMC Marlin.
I’ll back you on that!
I could never pick just one favorite of the sixties. I do remember being blown away by the design of the Avanti when I saw an AMT model kit. I saved a couple of bucks and bought one at a store in the downtown area of where I grew up. The split window Stingray is another car I really liked back then and still do these six decades and year in my life.
Jensen Interceptor
66 Ford Galaxie, AMC Javelin, and the VW Type 4.
I think jaw-dropping cars were mostly, if not entirely, sports cars and such.If we leave out all the isoteric / special edition / limited production stuff such as GTO (Ferrari), Shelby Cobra Coupe or even Cheetah, than we’re left with two that top the list hands down: Miura and E-Type that were mentioned here.
Some posters said they’ve never seen a Miura in person; I was lucky enough to witness both the Miura and the E-Type (all series) and I tell you- the Miura is such a jaw-dropper in person, it far outweighs the E-Type (itself no slouch). And still is after all these years- now think what it was like to see one of these back then, when new. It must have been an out-worldly experience.
So yeah, for me it’s the Miura. No question.
I was only 7 years old in 1969 but I remember being stunned by the 1968 Dodge Charger. That full width no headlight front end just amazed me, a pink Matchbox Dragster version, # 70 released 1971?, just sealed the deal.
The Miura affected me in a similar way, had the Matchbox King Size version.
So many others, but must include the 1969 Aston Martin as well, although this was appreciated later in life.
I say 69 Aston as not sure when that shape was released.
Interesting discussion and incredible suggestions! It just reminds me how with rare exception GM led the way with design, and Ford would land a jab once in a while (Lincoln, Mustang).
Of the 61 Conti, 63 Sting Ray, 63 Riv, 64 Mustang, 65 Corvair and 67 Eldorado, the Corvette was the most stunning to me.
Of course the Jeep Wagoneer grabbed my attention as well….
Batwings and free-standing headlights! Jawdropping doesn’t necessarily mean beautiful, and the ’61 Imperial certainly dropped some jaws.
If we’re allowed to include one-offs, then the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal comes to mind.
+1 the production Espada is to be my choice
If there’s one car that’s universally associated with the 1960s, it would have to be the VW Beetle. Certainly not jaw-dropping, except perhaps for the fact that sales topped 1 million several years. In fact, I’d say the Doyle Dane Bernbach ads were probably the most jaw-dropping thing about the car. They’re still talked about yet today.
The car was more head scratching than jaw dropping in the U.S. in 1949, but you’re dead right about that legendary ad campaign, Ed.
I’m going to cheat, and nominate a saloon and a coupe each from Europe and US
Europe – the Jaguar XJ6 (with an honourable mention to the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow for its technology and step chnage in style and size) and the Lamborghini Espada
US – the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado and the 1961 Lincoln Continental
and for the “What were thinking jaw dropper” award -the Austin 3 Litre
As I’m about to turn 65, I started to drive in 1967. When one is young, that’s when things impress you the most and tend to stay with you.
The cars that I found stunning were, in no particular order:
1. Avanti
2. 1968 Corvette
3. 1967 Camaro
4. 1967 Mustang
5. 1968 Chevelle
6. Volvo P1800
7. Mid-60s Citroen DS
8. 1968 Old Cutlass 4-4-2 in all its glory!
9. 1961-1967 Impala SS
10. Almost every single Chevy hardtop, whether 2 (preferred) or 4 door – including Corvairs!
I will take any chance I get to bring up the Mazda Luce/1500. Designed by a young Giugiaro when he was at Bertone I believe. It certainly makes my jaw drop.
Most beautiful sedan of the sixties.
My top four, as someone who just started being aware of cars in 1960:
Miura, E Type, Sting Ray, 64-1/2 Mustang
The first three: stunning. The Mustang: distinctive and ubiquitous.
As many of my favourite production cars range from the mid-50s through the mid-60s, I couldn’t possibly pick just one. Just considering 1961, I love the excess of the 1961 Chryslers with their over-the-top fins, canted headlights and jukebox instrument cluster just as much as the game-changing restrained and elegant 1961 Lincoln. Then there’s the “bullet-bird” Thunderbird, which blends Lincoln styling with a rocket-inspired nose, fins and taillights.
JP, you just reminded me of the T-Bird. I’d have to add the 1965 Thunderbird to my list as well, and certainly not to forget the 1965 Chrysler products with the awesome inverted C pillar on the hardtop coupe models!
I could go on, but the list would really be long, so no truly single car would be a “signature” vehicle of the 60s for me.
Oops… Thought I was answering JPC! Sorry, BigOldChryslers! I get you two mixed up from time to time.
LOL! No problem. I guess JPC and I do sound alike from time to time.
1963/4 Ferrari 250 LM. Still my all time favorite.
It may not be the most expensive, or the most powerful, but ever since I saw the original “Italian Job”, I have had a thing for the Fiat Dino.
Let’s go for a ride!
Wouldn’t it be great if FCA brought back a faithful, retro version of this?
Wouldn’t it be great if FCA brought back a faithful, retro version of this?
No one would buy it now. They would whine that the engine sound drowns out their cell phone and iPod and the kids couldn’t hear the movie they were watching.
While I agree on many votes (Avanti, Toro, XKE, …) l, I am very surprised – to say the least – that I saw only one mention of the 1966 Maserati Ghibli.
Must mean all the others have never seen one in the flesh? I can’t think of a cleaner, sleeker, more stunning GT shape. Ever. It’s pure beauty.
The thing about ‘jaw-dropping’ is it doesn’t necessarily mean ‘good’.
So, in the category of “What were they thinking?”, I nominate the 1961 Plymouth. I’m sure that more than a few jaws hit the floor over that one (probably mostly Plymouth dealers).
Likewise, the downsized 1962 full-size Plymouths and Dodges would be in the running.
Since we have added low-production cars- The Alfa Tipo 33 Stradale inspires me with awe….Italians are the most beautiful, if perhaps sometimes difficult to live with.
gotta admit that is a good nomination
I’m surprised that no one has yet mentioned my favorite, the Mercedes-Benz W113 sports. The old 190SL was looking a bit vintage by 1963, and when the 230SL appeared it was clear a page had turned. It wasn’t jaw dropping, but its tasteful elegance was so very early Sixties, and so desirable. The W113s clean, narrow section body was enhanced by the brilliant pagoda roof. Make mine a ’67 250SL, please.
US: ’66 Toronado, ’67 Eldorado, ’68 Corvette Stingray.
Europe: Ferrari Daytona, Lamborghini Miura, and the peerless Maserati Ghibli.
Wow, didn’t take long to get this topic over 100+….
Anyways, auto-sexy, thy name is 62 Ferrari GTO…
My other 60’s all time favorite, has to be the 65 Iso Grifo…
Another one of my favourite Matchbox cars!
Pete, I had one, too.
It was a Matchbox, and I think it was navy blue with a red interior. 🙂
Can’t forget the holy grail Toyota…
The 68 2000GT
As a 4-year old, for me it was my grandmother’s all red, brand new ’65 Thunderbird. Later, it was a ’68 Cougar (and I’ve owned one for 23 years). But overall, I’d vote for the Avanti. Which is saying something for a died in the wool FoMoCo guy!
It’s picture is worth any thousand of my words
+++1
Magnificent!!
If it had been black and a slightly later model, I could see Betty Draper and Goldfinger out on the town with Oddjob at the wheel!!
Didn’t we lose a lovely ’64 in that movie?
Yes, but still worth the ride!!
As per an episode of “Law & Order” while the detectives were investigating a cold case file:
“The Sixties, if you remember them, then you weren’t there!!!”
For American cars, for me, it’s the ’63-67 Stingray. There’s some other cars that come close in their forward and unique styling (Avanti, Corvair, etc), but somehow, GM and Larry Shinoda/ Bill Mitchell had toned down some of the more wilder concepts of it from the concept designs, to make it work. To me, it always feels like one of those designs that had almost carte blanche to do it’s own thing, with a minimum of interference from corporate execs. And nothing still looks like it, to this day. Top it off with the Corvette really hitting its stride as a performance vehicle, and that’s just the icing on the cake.
2nd fave–the first Mustang. There’s a reason why it sold in the numbers that it did, and to a wide variety of people: women, men, old people, young people…..everyone. It had Euro touches, but it put an American spin on the styling, and as a result, it was something that most people could relate to. Also, the ability to customize and personalize the car was genius. The fact that the Camaro and Firebird came out in ’67 is testament to how far ahead of its time that the Mustang was, in both idea, scope, and styling.
1969 Grand Prix and/or 1969 GTO “The Judge”. Well, any 1969 Pontiac, for that matter. That 428 in either normal or H.O. trim was formidable. I had a used 69 Grand Prix SJ and did some things that I am lucky to have lived through (in 1977 when there were less cars on the roads, especially at night).
The 1968 Goat with the rubber ‘Endura’ front bumper is probably the most jaw-dropping sixties’ Pontiac.
I think I’ve seen exactly one Miura in person, and I’d concur with those who place it first, with the E-Type second. If we’re limiting this discussion to US cars, then I’d say ’63 split-window ‘Vette (a daring decision to do that with the rear window, not to be repeated), then ’66 Toronado, then ’67 Eldorado.
Could we even come up with ten equivalent cars for the ’90s or 2000s? BMW Z8, maybe…Acura NSX? The bar for “jaw-dropping” would have to be lower…
Well, there were definetely some jaw dropping cars in the 90’s and 00’s, but generally not in a good way (Pontiac Aztek, Nissan Cube, etc).
Point taken on the Aztek. That vehicle does make my jaw drop, and my stomach turn…
For me there can be only one: the 1969 1/2 Dodge Charger Daytona! Yes, it might be considered a love it or hate it type of car. It is technically a sub-model or trim package of the 1969 Dodge Charger, so I’m really saying the Coke-bottle shaped Charger. And, I owned one, a 1969 R/T model for a year or two prior to The Dukes of Hazard. I’ve been a huge Mopar fan since before I could drive. My Junior High School principal bought one of the first of the 1968 model Chargers not long after they came out. I used to love to look out at it from a second or third floor window.
If I were to choose a foreign car from this same time period, it would be the Lamborghini Miura. A real beaut! Or, perhaps a Ferrari 365GTB/4 Daytona. Both of those cars really impressed the heck out of me back in the day.
A few of my other favorites would include the new body style 1969 Grand Prix – a very classy and sporty personal luxury car. “The Judge” Pontiac GTO for 1969 was always a special car to me. Also, the 1969 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler which has always seemed pretty rare compared to the Ford Torino. And, last but certainly not least, the Studebaker Avanti. And yet one more, the original Plymouth Valiant of 1960-62. Must also mention the original 1963-65 Buick Riviera.
More than likely, if I were to stumble into a Chevrolet dealer in the 60s, and saw the new camaro , I believe my jaw would drop. The lines , options, colors and stripes made it extremely customizable , from grandma sixs to 302 z28s to big block street brawlers. Timeless cars, and it shows with how many people restore them.