Best Selling Cars In The 1960s

Best Selling Cars in the 1960s

The 1960s was American automobiles’ absolute, purest, and uncompromising golden age. The most iconic, historically memorable, and bestsellers varied in the reincarnated forms of emblematic cars tailored to meet the needs of this period. From brawny muscular vehicles to family sedans, everything seemed possible in the 1960s.

The best-sellers that make up the list in this decade are scrutinized here, giving the details and specifications of what made these cars so great.

1. 1964 Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang was launched in April 1964 and took the market by storm, often claimed to have formed the “pony car” class of American muscle cars. The car was an instant sales hit—over one million were sold during the first two years. This was one of the best selling cars in the 1960s as per global reports.

1964 Ford Mustang Specifications:

Engine Options: The available engines for the Mustang ranged from a 2.8 L inline-six to a mighty 6.4 L V8.
Horsepower: The rating ran from 101 hp on the inline-six base engine to 320 hp on the biggest V8.
Transmission: Optional three- and four-speed manual and a three-speed automatic transmission were available.
Design: It was a long hood, and a short rear deck, with sporty styling cues epitomizing the look young buyers wanted in a car.
Interior: The Mustang had bucket seats, a floor-mounted shifter, and an optional centre console.

2. 1960 Chevrolet Impala

The Chevrolet Impala, by itself, was a full-size car that dominated sales in that decade. It was spacious, offering families and people who needed enough interior space with a comfortable ride.

1960 Chevrolet Impala Specifications:

Engine Options: The available powertrains for this model ranged from a 235 cubic inch inline-six to V8s from 283 cubic inches up to 427 cubic inches.
Horsepower: Ultimately, the horsepower of the engines reached between 135 and 425 horsepower from the top-line V8 engines.
Transmission: Transmission options were a three-speed manual, a four-speed manual, and a two-speed Powerglide automatic.
Design: The Impala was smooth in appearance and prefilled, and its triple taillights on each side were characteristic of this car.
Interior: It had a huge cabin with bench seats, quality upholstery, and several luxury options like air conditioning and power windows.

3. 1960 Ford Galaxie

The Ford Galaxie was another bestseller in the 1960s. The model range went from bottom to top; this car did quite well due to its super range of engines and sleek design. Furthermore, a myriad of body styles were available, which included a sedan, hardtop, convertible, and station wagon.

1960 Ford Galaxie Specifications:

Engine Options: It featured a range of engines that ranged between a 223 cubic inch 3.7 L inline six to a 427 cubic inch 7.0 L V8.
Horsepower: As low as 145 horsepower from the base inline-six, and as high as 425 horsepower from the top V8.
Transmission: Three-speed manual transmission, four-speed manual transmission, and three-speed automatic transmission were available for the buyer.
Design: The Galaxie has a long and low profile, a prestigious car design, and carries itself graciously with its lines.
Interior: Spacious interior, comfortable seating, and options such as power steering, power brakes, and a fine sound system.

4. 1960 Plymouth Fury

The Plymouth Fury was a full-size economy car that became renowned for its excellent performance and low cost at which it could be purchased. This car was supposed to come in a wide range of bodies, which included sedans, hardtops, and convertibles.

1960 Plymouth Fury Specifications:

Engine Options: The Fury was fitted with several different engines. The range started with a 225 cubic inch inline-six or a V8, which varied from 318 cubic inches to 426 cubic inch versions.
Horsepower: The inline-six entry-level models were around 145 horsepower, with top V8 engines having a possible output of up to 425 horsepower.
Transmission: Transmission options were a three-speed manual, four-speed manual, and three-speed automatic transmission.
Design: Fury came in great style with sharp lines and tailfins.
Interior: It showed ample interior space and comfort, plus good material quality while offering optional equipment like air conditioning and power windows.

5. 1960 Chevrolet Corvair

The Chevrolet Corvair was a car newly radical with its rear-mounted, air-cooled engine. The main body style was offered in coupe, sedan, convertible, and station wagon.

1960 Chevrolet Corvair Specifications:

Engine Choices: The Corvair featured is equipped with either a 140 cubic-inch or 2.3 L flat-six; later models were fitted with a turbo option.
Horsepower: The base engine produced around 80 horsepower while the turbocharged version delivered up to 180 horsepower.
Transmission: Available transmissions included a three-speed manual, four-speed manual, and two-speed Powerglide automatic.
Design: The Corvair was distinctive in design, with a rear-engine layout and sleek, highly aerodynamic bodywork.
Interior: It featured a well-appointed interior featuring bucket seats, a floor-mounted shifter, and options ranging from a deluxe interior package to an advanced sound system that gave one a feel of being in a unique vehicle.

6. 1960 Buick Electra

This Buick Electra is a line of full-size luxury automobiles that are known for their smooth and comfortable handling. Powered by big engines and more stylishly designed for more upmarket appeal, the Electra was quite popular with car customers who wanted a little more from their cars.

1960 Buick Electra Specifications:

Engine Options: There were many different types of V8s added in the Electra, which included 401 cubic inch (6.6 L) and a 425 cubic inch (7.0 L) V8.
Horsepower: The V8 was rated from about 325 horsepower in its most basic form to up to 360 horsepower in some of the highly optioned models.
Transmission: Available with three-speed automatic transmission.
Design: The Electra shared a sleek and smart design, complete with a long wheelbase. Chrome trim distinguishes a classic 1969 Buick Electra from other years.
Interior: It had an interior that gave out a luxurious feel to its owners, and plenty of space inside, along with many modern conveniences like air conditioning, power windows, and a high-fidelity stereo.

7. 1964 Pontiac GTO

The Pontiac GTO might have been the first true muscle car, which was introduced in the year 1964. Not long later, it became popular due to its high power and aggressive nature. The GTO provided a visible description of power and performance in the 1960s decade.

1964 Pontiac GTO Specifications:

Engine Options: The GTO had various engine options: a 389 cubic inch 6.4 L V8 in the older ones and a 400 cubic inch 6.6 L V8 in the later ones.
Horsepower: The base engine was good for about 325 horsepower, while the top engine was good for up to 366 horsepower.
Transmissions: A three-speed manual, a four-speed manual, and three-speed automatic transmissions were available on the muscle car.
Design: With a split grille, hood scoops, and muscular body lines, it had an aggressive design.
Interior: It had a sporty interior, inclusive of bucket seats and a floor-mounted shifter, with numerous kinds of performance-oriented options one could get, from a tachometer to rally gauges.

8. 1960 Oldsmobile Cutlass

The Oldsmobile Cutlass was a mid-size car that became one of the best-selling models for General Motors in the 1960s. It was developed as a stylish model and had reliable performance, hence very favourable among consumers.

1960 Oldsmobile Cutlass Specifications:

Engine Options: There were many options for the Cutlass, which featured a 225 cubic inch or 3.7-liter inline-six with V-8s that ranged from 330 cubic inches or 5.4 litres to 455 cubic inches or 7.5 litres.
Horsepower: This ranged from 155 horsepower in the base inline-six to a maximum of 370 horsepower available in the big V8.
Transmission: Options included three- and four-speed manual transmissions and a three-speed automatic.
Styling: The Cutlass was sleek and modern, with smooth lines and a distinctive front grille.
Inside, it offered all-around comfort, fine upholstery with quality material, plus a multitude of options such as air conditioning, power windows, and premium stereo.

9. Chrysler New Yorker

The New Yorker by Chrysler was a full-size luxury automobile. It was famed for its powerful performance at the engine end and posh features. These were options available to buyers in the 1960s who wanted top-of-the-line driving experiences.

Chrysler New Yorker Specifications:

Engine Options: This New Yorker had various V8 combinations, including a 413 cubic inch, or 6.8 L, and a 440 cubic inch V8, or 7.2 L.
Horsepower: The base V8 offered about 340 horsepower, and the higher version achieved up to 375 horsepower.
Transmission: It came with a three-speed automatic transmission.
Design: It was suave and elegant with a long wheelbase with significant chrome.
Interior: It had a classy interior equipped with up-market materials. There was plenty of room for sitting. Other features included an air conditioner, power windows, and other high-quality stereo setups.

The 1960s was the transformative decade of the American automobile industry, which was marked by innovative, stylish, and highly performing-vehicles. Zeroing in on such iconic models as the Ford Mustang and luxurious Chrysler New Yorker, one can easily realize that the best-selling cars included those that epitomized the diversity and excellence of American automotive engineering. Those vehicles not only captured customers’ imaginations but set up new standards in design, power, and comfort.

These best selling cars of the 1960s, in addition to defining the automotive landscape during that period, undoubtedly left their stamp on design and engineering even to this day. The inborn style, power, and ingenuity of these cars captured the epitome of the decade while setting the groundwork for the future of the automotive industry. When recalling these classics, we do much more than recognize their place in the Golden Age of American Automobiles; on a more global level, we nod to their continued impressive contributions to worldwide automobile culture.

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