Some of the most breathtaking and iconic luxury cars debuted in the 1960s. These vehicles frequently had sleek designs and powerful engines that made them a pleasure to drive.
Here at Classic Auto, we’re more than just a luxury car insurance company — we’re also car lovers. In this blog, we discuss our ten favorite luxury cars from the 1960s.
1963 Buick Riviera
The 1963 Buick Riviera is one of the most stylish vehicles of all time, and the car’s rich legacy ensured its place on our luxury car list. The head designer at GM, Bill Mitchell, came up with the idea for the car after spotting a Rolls Royce in Europe. Mitchell decided to design an American car that offered both sportiness and sophistication.
The first generation of the Buick Riviera came with two different engine options: the 401 cu in Nailhead V8 engine and the 425 cu in Nailhead V8 engine. It also came with either a Twin Turbine automatic transmission or a 3-speed ST-400 automatic transmission.
General Motors continued developing subsequent generations of the Buick Riviera until production ceased on the eighth generation in 1998.
1960 Chrysler
In the late 1950s, Chrysler vehicle sales began declining due to poor designs on new cars. In response, Chrysler developed a stunningly elegant luxury vehicle. They offered the 1960 vehicle in three different luxury trim types: the New Yorker, the Saratoga, and the Windsor.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the 1960 Chrysler is its innovative unibody construction design. The majority of vehicles from that time used a classic body-on-frame construction, making the vehicles heavy. With the unibody construction, the vehicle’s body and frame are not separate — they’re only one unit.
Drivers of the 1960 Chrysler had different V8 engine options that ranged between 305 and 350 horsepower.
Facel Vega Excellence
The Facel Vega Excellence is a one-of-a-kind 4-door hardtop luxury vehicle produced by the manufacturer Facel Vega. The French company only produced 156 models of this gorgeous car.
Its engine options included different types of Chrysler Hemi V8s, including 5.9, 6.3, and 6.4-litre engines. It also came with two different transmission options: a 4-speed manual transmission developed by Pont-à-Mousson and a 3-speed Chrysler Torqueflite automatic transmission.
1963 Studebaker Avanti
The 1963 Studebaker Avanti featured a convertible chassis and stylish fiberglass body. Studebaker produced the vehicle to combat poor car sales in the early 1960s. They determined that their best course of action for getting the public’s attention was by releasing a sleek and modern luxury car. Although the car received high praise from motor magazines, the vehicle failed to become a hot seller.
The 1963 Studebaker Avanti offered motorists a highly powerful engine that could reach over 170 miles per hour. The 1963 iteration came with a 289 cu in V8 engine with 240 horsepower. The car broke 29 world speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado
This vehicle successfully captured the attention of the American public with its breathtaking style. The car also offered a Unitized Power package, which reduced the amount of space that was needed for the powertrain. The powerful and iconic Oldsmobile Toronado also offered a Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor, noise-reducing ventilation system, and flange gadgets.
The car came with a 3-speed TH-425 automatic transmission and two powerhouse engine options: a 425 cu in Rocket V8 and a 455 cu in Rocket V8.
1963 Maserati Quattroporte
The 1963 Maserati Quattroporte S1 was the first-ever performance sedan. It combined the comfort of a four-door sedan with the power of Maserati’s iconic sports cars. Pietro Frua designed this breathtaking luxury car.
The Maserati powertrain could come with a 4.1 L Tipo AM 107 V8 engine or a 4.7 L Tip AMO 107/1 V8 engine. It also had a 5-speed ZF S5 manual transmission option or a 3-speed Borg-Warner automatic transmission.
1964 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Coupe
This stunning vehicle is arguably the most popular Aston Martin of all time. Much of its success comes from the fact that the luxury car was featured in the James Bond film Goldfinger.
The car came with 15-inch wheels, disc brakes, and robust camshafts, and the breathtaking vehicle also came with a high-performing powertrain. It had a DOHC Straight-6 4 L engine that could go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in seven seconds.
1969 Lincoln Continental Sedan
This luxurious vehicle captured the public’s attention through its iconic style and exceptional comfort. The Lincoln Continental was a unibody 4-door sedan that featured a 126-inch wheelbase. The vehicle featured luxurious rear-hinged doors, also known as suicide doors.
The car sported a 460 cu in 385-series-based V8 engine, and the powertrain was equipped with a 3-speed C6 automatic transmission.
1961 Jaguar E-Type
Before Jaguar Cars released the 1961 E-Type, the model had been used for two different concept cars: the E1A and E2A. The 1961 Jaguar E-Type was the first in the series intended to be used on the road.
The luxury car featured a 3.8 L engine that produced 265 bhp, and the vehicle could even reach a speed of up to 150 miles per hour. The Jaguar E-Type offered such a stunning performance that Sports Car International listed the vehicle as the top sports car of the 1960s.
1964 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk
The 1964 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk was known for its excellent handling and breathtaking design. The body was a 2-door coupe with an FR layout, and the 1964 iteration featured notable design changes from previous Gran Turismos. The 1964 Hawk boasted a smoother trunk lid, and the car sported a new grille that featured a Hawk emblem and circle-S hood ornament.
The luxury vehicle also offered a powerful performance with its “Jet Thrust” R-series V-8 engine. The R-series came with multiple options: the R1 with 240 bhp, the supercharged R2 with 289 bhp, and the supercharged 5 liter R3 power plant with 335 bhp.
