if i watch onlineI noticed a lot of people praising the virtues of 1960s styling and design. While the decade was strong, I don’t think it compares to the 1930s, which gave us several custom designs that led the way in automotive values (with the exception of a few race cars).
Still, in my corrupt mind, the 1960s were strong not just in styling, but in the overall package. Typically this means performance, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be. Do you think the AutoHunter picks below represent the highlights of the 1960s well?
1969 Pontiac GTO convertible
Do you prefer the 1968 one or the 1969 one? Curious to know! I’m indifferent to the taillights, although I think the 1968 grille might have had a slight edge (especially the exposed headlights). The ’69’s parking lights are better, but I prefer the ’68’s dash. Plus, the Hurst Dual/Gate was much cooler than what Pontiac was developing for ’69.
Regardless, this 1969 GTO convertible shows off all the advantages of a goat being a goat, even though 1969 wasn’t the first year it led sales. Factor in the four-speed transmission, hood tachometer, Rally II, exhaust extension, and Matador Red paint, and you’ve got a classic head-turner that will always be the star no matter where you drive it.
1969 Jaguar XKE 4.2 Coupe
When the Jaguar E-Type (known to Americans as the XKE) debuted in 1961, it quickly became the most beautiful car in the world. When the Series 2 was launched in 1968, Jaguar removed the headlight guards and moved the parking tail and parking lights below the bumper. The overall appearance is heavier, but not as heavy as the Series 3 introduced in 1971.
This 1969 4.2 XKE is one of 4,855 fixed-head coupes produced during Series 2, making it the rarest variant of the three body styles. This is an example with 17,847 miles that has been owned by one person since new, making it definitely a special thing. There was even communication between the owner and the dealer when the car was new! Anglophiles should seize on this.
1962 Chevrolet Impala sports coupe
This Chevrolet is loved by many, no doubt due to the popularity of the 409, which was introduced a few months ago. Two versions were available, differing in their output and number of carburetors: a 380-hp four-barrel carburetor and a 409-hp twin four-barrel carburetor. A tuned 340-horse version didn’t come out until 1963.
This 1962 Impala sports coupe featured the new convertible-style roofline that appeared throughout General Motors’ lineup, although the car was originally painted satin silver with a mink white top. The blue interior complements the exterior, especially the slim shifter connected to the 409/409. The engine received some modifications to deliver 476 dyno-certified horses.
1966 Dodge Charger
When I was a kid, I remember one of these cars being in the line of bank tellers. The fastback roofline is nice and attractive, and I also like the full-width taillights. Little did I know that the interior was even more special than the exterior, with a full-length console and electroluminescent instrument cluster. However, at eight years old, I knew it was a Charger.
No one knew what was under the hood of the 1966 Charger, but this one had a 383 four-cylinder engine rated at 325 horses and backed by the trusty TorqueFlite. Its previous owner owned the car for 32 years, which is a great selling point. These cars can be quite expensive to repair due to the many unique parts, but this one doesn’t look like it needs much to drive and enjoy.
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.