Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Nostalgia Central
    • Home
    • Blog
      • Lists
      • Playlists
    • Television
      • TV by Decade
        • TV – 1950s
        • TV – 1960s
        • TV – 1970s
        • TV – 1980s
        • TV – 1990s
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Kids TV
      • Variety
      • News & Sport
      • Advertisements
    • Music
      • Music by Decade
        • Music – 1950s
        • Music – 1960s
        • Music – 1970s
        • Music – 1980s
        • Music – 1990s
      • Artists – A to K
        • Artists – A
        • Artists – B
        • Artists – C
        • Artists – D
        • Artists – E
        • Artists – F
        • Artists – G
        • Artists – H
        • Artists – I
        • Artists – J
        • Artists – K
      • Artists – L to Z
        • Artists – L
        • Artists – M
        • Artists – N
        • Artists – O
        • Artists – P
        • Artists – Q
        • Artists – R
        • Artists – S
        • Artists – T
        • Artists – U
        • Artists – V
        • Artists – W
        • Artists – X
        • Artists – Y
        • Artists – Z
      • Artists – 0 to 9
      • Genres
      • Music on Film & TV
      • One-Hit Wonders
      • Online Radio
    • Movies
      • Movies by Decade
        • Movies – 1950s
        • Movies – 1960s
        • Movies – 1970s
        • Movies – 1980s
        • Movies – 1990s
      • Movies – 0 to 9
      • Movies – A to K
        • Movies – A
        • Movies – B
        • Movies – C
        • Movies – D
        • Movies – E
        • Movies – F
        • Movies – G
        • Movies – H
        • Movies – I
        • Movies – J
        • Movies – K
      • Movies – L to Z
        • Movies – L
        • Movies – M
        • Movies – N
        • Movies – O
        • Movies – P
        • Movies – Q
        • Movies – R
        • Movies – S
        • Movies – T
        • Movies – U
        • Movies – V
        • Movies – W
        • Movies – X
        • Movies – Y
        • Movies – Z
    • Pop Culture
      • Fads
      • Toys & Games
      • Fashion
      • Decor
      • Food & Drink
      • People
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Social History
      • 1950s Year by Year
      • 1960s Year by Year
      • 1970s Year by Year
      • 1980s Year by Year
      • 1990s Year by Year
      • Events
    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Pop Culture»Transport
    Transport 5 Mins Read

    Cars in the 1960s

    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email

    During the 1960s, motoring took on a new outlook as the Freeway system (in the US) and the Motorway system (in the UK) spread.

    In Britain, this had begun in 1958 with an eight-mile Preston by-pass, and then the first section of the M1 in late 1959. By 1969, 622 miles of motorway had been constructed across the British Isles, and by-passes had been built to ease the traffic jams which were beginning to appear in major towns.

    But the big event was the invention in August 1959 of the Austin and Morris Mini cars. Designed by Alec Issigonis (pictured) in response to the need for a small and fuel-efficient car.

    The surprisingly spacious four-seater car had an engine that was mounted sideways at the front with a capacity of 850 cc which powered the lightweight car to a top speed of 70 mph. it was not an immediate success, however, even priced at just under £500.

    What saved it was the adoption by trendy Londoners who saw it as the answer to their parking problems – Lord Snowdon, Peter Sellers and Twiggy all had one – and when Paddy Hopkirk won the Monte Carlo Rally of 1964 in a Mini Cooper, sales rapidly accelerated.

    Other new British cars of the 1960s included the Capri (1962), Consul Cortina (1963) and Ford Escort (1968) which replaced the Anglia.

    By 1960, everyone in the United States who really needed a car had already bought one, so the automobile companies realised that if they were to keep up the sales figures they would have to change their styling more often. The great idea was to use design features so extreme that they would date quickly.

    American automobile manufacturers came out with new models every year – usually in September. The unveiling of the new models was exciting and the concept was extremely successful.

    “There’s nothing like a new car for enchantment” promised an ad for the latest line of Oldsmobiles in 1960, but it was beginning to seem like Detroit was running out of new ideas. Having produced miles of chrome and tailfins over the past five years, it now looked like car makers were heading in the other direction.

    Buick’s ‘clean look’ emphasized sleekness over ornamentation while Dodge’s 1961 Polara and 1961 Dart swapped fins for rounded, pod-like tail fixtures.

    Chrysler’s “new direction in automotive styling” featured streamlined rears and low, flat roofs, although the 1961 Newport was allowed to keep its boldly angled fins. Major US automakers seemed hell-bent on making their cars as unattractive as possible – The 1962 Chevrolets (the ones “with Jet-Smooth ride”) were flatter and boxier than in previous years.

    The E-Type Jaguar encapsulated the needs of the male driver in 1961 – a streamlined body with the fastest speed of any production car – up to 150 mph. The car caused a stir when it was unveiled at the Geneva car show – The audience was stunned at the £2,196 price tag, making it about half the cost of its competitors.

    Chevy’s 1962 Corvair, which was advertised as “built for budget-minded people who go for sports car driving”, featured a rear-mounted engine, but precious little else of note.

    Chrysler released 1962 models that were similar to their 1961 counterparts, only without fins. Plymouth’s1962 models were all downsized by up to eight inches in length, which proved a big mistake at a time when ads for the Oldsmobile 98 were urging buyers to “relax in luxury-lounge interiors fashioned in the tones and textures of modern living”.

    European cars were still selling slowly, but their competitive prices in the US – $1,675 for a Volkswagen Beetle, $1,585 for a Renault Dauphine, and only $1,398 for a Fiat 600 – indicated that Detroit would soon have a serious battle on its hands.

    With fuel economy in mind, the Mini Hornet and Riley Elf all made their mark in Britain. In 1962 the Austin 1100 and Morris 1100 were launched; hydrolastic fluid suspension gave a smooth ride.

    In April 1964 Ford launched the Mustang ‘pony’ car, aimed squarely at the hip young consumer. After a short but intensive TV advertising campaign, Ford sold 22,000 Mustangs on the first day. Over 400,000 were on the road within a year.

    From 1965 onward, Japanese cars began to sell internationally in large quantities, pioneered by the Toyota Corona, the first Japanese car to fully penetrate the US market. Interestingly, the imports of foreign goods into Britain produced a series of patriotic campaigns such as the ‘I’m Backing Britain’ campaign of 1967/1968.

    In 1966, the reverberations of the Ford Mustang continued to be felt throughout the US auto industry. Mercury introduced the Cougar (essentially an upscale version of the Mustang), while Dodge weighed in with the Charger fastback.

    Even Cadillac got in on the act; although not technically a sports car, the new four-wheel-drive El Dorado was definitely aimed at a younger, hipper demographic. Most successful of all the Mustang clones was Chevy’s new Camaro, a sporty four-seater with a base price of $2,466.

    Pontiac GTOs were featured in a number of TV shows in the 1960s, but perhaps the most famous was the 1967 Pontiac GTO Monkeemobile. Created by famed Los Angeles car customiser Dean Jeffries (George Barris was rumoured to have had a hand in the design) this wild creation

    In Britain in 1967, a 70 mph speed limit was introduced in an attempt to cut down on car accidents. In the same year, stiff penalties were introduced for drinking and driving, and the breathalyzer was introduced to help the police detect drunken drivers.

    Although General Motors had been producing Holden cars in Australia since 1948, it was not until 1968 (the month John Gorton was sworn in as Prime Minister) that the word ‘Kingswood‘ became part of the Australian vocabulary with the launch of the new HK model.

    The Kingswood would survive nine years, seven model changes and five Prime Ministers, beginning with the mildly facelifted HT, which followed the HK in May 1969.

    PS: A gallon of gas cost about 25 cents in the US in the mid-60s.

    Related Posts

    • Zeta
      Zeta
      The Ampol Rally in 1964 was a baptism of fire for an unknown car, newly born, barely christened. It was…
    • Raleigh Chopper
      Raleigh Chopper
      In 1888, Sir Frank Bowden's doctor told him that cycling could improve his health. He bought an interest in a…
    • Hovercraft
      Hovercraft
      The hovercraft was invented by British boat builder Christopher Cockerell in 1955. The theory behind one of the most successful…
    • Leyland P76
      Leyland P76
      The controversial Leyland P76 was introduced in Australia in 1973 but ceased production in 1975 after less than two years…
    • New Car Prices in Australia in 1978
      New Car Prices in Australia in 1978
      Datsun 120Y  - $4,299Datsun 180B - $4,999Datsun 200B - $5,148HZ Holden Kingswood - $5,446Holden Sunbird - $5,495Mini S - $3,895Mini…
    • Cost of New Holden Cars (Australia)
      Cost of New Holden Cars (Australia)
      1961 EK $2212 1962 EJ $2102 1963 EH $2102 1965 HD $2320 1966 HR $2167 1968 HK $2215 1969 HT…
    • Outspan (Orange) Mini
      Outspan (Orange) Mini
      The Outspan Orange car was shaped like an orange, had orange skin-textured fibreglass bodywork, and looked like an orange but…
    • Space Shuttle
      Space Shuttle
      Plans for the Space Shuttle were created in 1972 as a way to keep the cost of spaceflight down. The…

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleCars in the 1950s
    Next Article Cars in the 1970s

    Comments are closed.

    Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    You May Also Like
    • Bond Bug
      Reliant commissioned Ogle (their design consultants) to produce […]
    • Where The Spies Are (1965)
      One of the many dozens of James Bond send-ups and rip-offs, this […]
    • Nightmare On Elm Street (Part 3): Dream Warriors (1987)
      This second Nightmare On Elm Street sequel stretches the […]
    • Paul Lynde Show, The
      1 9 7 2 – 1 9 7 3 (USA) 26 x 30 minute episodes Paul Simms […]
    • Oklahoma! (1955)
      Curly McLain (Gordon MacRae) is a cowboy in the territory of […]
    • GBH
      In 1980, four Brummie drinking buddies got together and formed a […]
    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

    OUR LATEST FACEBOOK POSTS

    edition.cnn.com/2023/01/30/entertainment/cindy-williams-dead/index.html

    More sad news 😢
    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    'Laverne & Shirley' star Cindy Williams dead at 75 | CNN

    edition.cnn.com

    Cindy Williams, the dynamic actress known best for playing the bubbly Shirley Feeney on the beloved sitcom "Laverne & Shirley," has died, according to a statement from her family, provided to CNN by a...
    6 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 1
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64442824 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Television frontman Tom Verlaine dies at 73

    www.bbc.co.uk

    His band rose to fame in the 1970s New York punk scene, scoring UK hits including Marquee Moon.
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64418847 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Mr Blobby costume sells for more than £62,000 on eBay

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The character, made famous by BBC show Noel's House Party, had been in storage since the 1990s.
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Put some beefiness into your mid-week menu with these recipe ideas published in a Birds Eye advertisement from the Radio Times on 30 September 1965.

    Put some "beefiness into your mid-week menu" with these recipe ideas published in a Birds Eye advertisement from the "Radio Times" on 30 September 1965. ... See MoreSee Less

    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    They were awful. An overpowering savoury flavour that lingered in your mouth for hours. Heaven knows what unmentionable parts of a bull went into making them 😳

    More sad news 😪

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    US rock legend David Crosby dies aged 81

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Crosby, who co-founded both the Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash, had been ill for some time.
    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    This is what they promised us when I was a kid. What happened? 

All I have is 700 channels of rubbish on the TV in High Def, TikTok, Facebook and a phone I can take photographs with . . .

    This is what they promised us when I was a kid. What happened?

    All I have is 700 channels of rubbish on the TV in High Def, TikTok, Facebook and a phone I can take photographs with . . .
    ... See MoreSee Less

    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 54
    • Shares: 22
    • Comments: 7

    Comment on Facebook

    I thought we would have moving pavements by now when I was a kid 😂

    Totally agree!!!

    The new Tesla, 4.6 next century.

    We got transvestite story hour instead

    We appear to be going backwards

    There's actually a very good David Graeber essay on this very topic: thebaffler.com/salvos/of-flying-cars-and-the-declining-rate-of-profit

    The Jetsons strike again.

    View more comments

    Renowned Australian singer Renee Geyer is dead at 69 following complications from hip surgery. Such a fabulous voice. RIP😢

https://nostalgiacentral.com/music/artists-l-to-z/artists-r/renee-geyer/

    Renowned Australian singer Renee Geyer is dead at 69 following complications from hip surgery. Such a fabulous voice. RIP😢

    nostalgiacentral.com/music/artists-l-to-z/artists-r/renee-geyer/
    ... See MoreSee Less

    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    That is so sad to hear 😥 rest in peace 🙏 🕊 xx

    Gina Lollobrigida: Italian screen star dies at 95
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64292026

    Gina Lollobrigida: Italian screen star dies at 95
    www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64292026
    ... See MoreSee Less

    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 5
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    😍😍😍😍

    Vale Jeff Beck. Dead at 78. 😢

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Jeff Beck: British guitar legend dies aged 78

    www.bbc.co.uk

    One of rock's most influential guitarists, he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.
    4 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 1
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Hi everyone. Were in the process of moving www.nostalgiacentral.com to new dedicated servers to better cope with the volumes of traffic. Please ignore any SSL security errors you may receive when visiting the site over the next 24 hours while the move completes.

    Hi everyone. We're in the process of moving www.nostalgiacentral.com to new dedicated servers to better cope with the volumes of traffic. Please ignore any SSL security errors you may receive when visiting the site over the next 24 hours while the move completes. ... See MoreSee Less

    4 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 5
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 2

    Comment on Facebook

    Ironically, this post has jumped off the page at me. You'll probably get most traffic today because everyone will want to see what they might be missing!

    Martin Platt

    Load more
    Please note


    Nostalgia Central covers the period 1950 to 1999 and contains some words and references which reflect the attitudes of those times and which may be considered culturally sensitive, offensive or inappropriate today.
    Popular Tags
    1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1976 Action Figures Amicus Arcade games Australia Beach movies Beatles Blaxploitation Board games Britpop Canada Crime Disney Doo-Wop Elvis Presley Girl groups Glam Goth Hammer Heavy Metal Irwin Allen Labels Merseybeat Mod revival Motown New Romantic New Wave NWOBHM Oi! One-hit wonders Power Pop Pub rock Punk Radio Scotland Ska Soul music Sport Surf music
    Search Nostalgia Central
    Copyright © 1998, 2023 Nostalgia Central
    • About Nostalgia Central
    • Contact
    • FAQ

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.