Best classic cars from the 1960s

The 1960s were great for car design in general – and for British car design in particular.

High employment, rising wages and a general renewed sense of optimism after the hardships of the post-war years meant that car ownership rose considerably across the decade. And, with London in particular acting as a global centre of fashion and music, there was a sense of fun, optimism and adventure in the air.

This new confidence can be seen in the decade's car designs, from the cheeky Mini to the gorgeously sinuous E-Type. Indeed, with those two cars at the vanguard, the British car industry was in rude health. Rover, Jaguar, Aston Martin, MG and Lotus all produced brilliant cars across the decade, and it looked as though Britain would continue to occupy the driver's seat for decades to come.

That wasn't to be – but boy, there were some glorious cars that decade. Here are just a few of them. We would be very happy to be sitting behind the wheel of any of these 1960s icons - as long as they were protected with some specialist insurance for your classic car of course!

Jaguar E-Type

If the 1960s was a decade where style and panache seemed to dominate, signalling that the long post-war shadow of austerity and rationing was now well and truly over, then the Jaguar E-Type embodies that new strut and confidence better than almost any other car.

Just one look at the car tells you that it comes from a time when people wanted some fun and extravagance from their motoring. The E-Type was simply one of the most beautiful cars ever designed (Enzo Ferrari was one of those who thought so, after all), an absolute demonstration class in lithe, sinuous, flowing automobile design.

The fact that it also had the performance to match its looks (top speeds of 150mph were alleged, although it's thought that these were achieved via a spot of engine tuning) only adds to the E-Type's legendary mystique. It's a fitting poster car for a fun, colourful, sexy and adventurous decade.

Mini

Like the E-Type, the Mini can be seen to symbolise a certain view of the 1960s – a fun, lively, and relatively classless decade where film stars and families alike could get around in this ingeniously-packaged four-seater. And, like the E-Type, the Mini was one of those cars that seemed to suggest Britain would dominate motor car manufacture for decades to come.

Alas, the 1970s would bring a different story – but for now, everyone could enjoy this brilliant car, from its iconic role in The Italian Job to its three victories at the Monte Carlo Rally (it should have been four in a row, in fact, but the 1966 race was a controversial one).

Lamborghini Miura

OK, so we Brits turned out some frankly fantastic cars during the 1960s – but a certain other country was at the top of its game, too. Yes, Italy's manufacturers Ferrari, Lamborghini, Iso, De Tomaso and Maserati were all enjoying a very fruitful period, and we shouldn't be surprised.

In a decade where style was king, you'd bet on the Italians performing well. Their distinctive mix of classical beauty and space-age adventurousness is perhaps seen at its best in the legendary Lamborghini Miura. An ever-present in those 'most beautiful cars of all time' lists (alongside our own E-Type), the Miura is quite simply a long, low, languid feast for the eyes.

We also love the fact that the car was developed by Lambo designers in their spare time – boss Ferruccio Lamborghini didn't want to ape the sports cars of rival Ferrari, preferring to go down the Grand Tourer route, so his designers had to work on it without his knowledge.

Ford Mustang

Certain cars launch a whole new sector: the Range Rover kicked off the luxury off-roader, the Miura birthed the supercar. The Ford Mustang belongs in this exalted company, as it launched the ‘pony car’.

Yes, the Mustang was the first of its kind: a high-performance car that looked great, could muster up some decent muscle on the road (thanks to its V8 engine), yet could be yours for not much more than the price of a standard family saloon. A huge choice of paint job colours, wheel styles and interior finishes also meant that the buyers of this new adventure in motoring could truly personalise their Mustang. No wonder 22,000 units were shifted on the 'Stang's very first day.

MGB

As the 1960s dawned, MG had a two-seater on its books, the nice-looking MGA. But we're going with its successor. The MGB launched in 1962 – and delivered an improvement on the MGA in just about every arena possible. For example, the new roadster got rear-wheel drive, front disc brakes and independent front and rear suspension, making it a hugely engaging drive for all those hip, freewheeling movers and shakers who queued up to buy one.

The 1.8-litre engine put out 94bhp – not masses but, when propelling a car as light as this, enough for plenty of open-road fun and frolics. Today, the MGB makes an excellent ownership prospect, thanks to large numbers still in circulation and a friendly, active owners' community. Small wonder that the MGB is one of our most frequent models when it comes to providing classic MG insurance.

Rover P6

The shark-faced Rover P6 is another symbol of a confident British motoring industry. The contrast between this car and its predecessor, the much more solid and rounded Rover P4, couldn't be stronger. This was not a car for a shrinking violet – indeed, it was the next in a long line of handsome large Rovers that began with the P4 and would continue with the SD1 and 75 executive cars. The P6 was a worthy winner of the very first European Car of the Year award in 1964, beating Mercedes' 600 luxo-barge to the top spot.

Renault 4

The Renault 4 is another car with some landmarks to its name. For one thing, it can lay a claim to being the first hatchback car. The car was actually marketed as a small estate, but its very short rear overhang marked it down as the world's first mass-produced hatch.

The 4 was a huge success because (like another French small-car icon, the 2CV) it gave a nation exactly the car they needed at the time they needed it. The early 1960s were a time of growing prosperity in France, as the country shook off the last of the ruinous consequences of the Second World War. More and more French families were able to afford a car, and the small, practical yet supremely affordable 4 was the answer to their dreams. By the end of its run in the 1990s, over eight million Renault 4s had been built.

Porsche 911

Everyone has their favourite Porsche 911 generation (the 1980s 930 'whale tail' will top many people's list, the 996 with its 'fried egg' headlamps far fewer). However, for the pleasing simplicity of its lines, plus the sense it gives of a sporting icon being born, the original 911 of 1964 is hard to beat.

Over successive generations, the 911 has both evolved from and remained faithful to its original iteration. The rear-engined layout remains; the air-cooled engine made its last stand with the 993 series of the mid-Nineties. All generations have been powerful, keen handlers, and a truly visceral experience to drive. None, though, has retained that wonderful, lithe, chrome-tipped grace of the original, 1960s 911.

Chevrolet Corvette

The first generation of Chevrolet's legendary Corvette sports car was nearing the end of its life as the 1960s began. It had been a pretty auspicious start to what would become a long and illustrious lineage, still going strong today.

But the C2 Corvette, aka the 'Stingray', moved things on to another level when it appeared in 1963. Independent rear suspension improved handling; and for the first time, a coupe body style was offered alongside the roadster form. Engine capacity went up, too, signalling the start of the Corvette's serious racing intentions.

Perhaps most remarkable, though, was that extraordinary split rear window. A controversial addition, it only lasted one year, making '63 C2 coupes incredibly rare and valuable. And as visual symbols for a decade of fun and flamboyance go, it's right up there.

Renault 16

Plenty of the cars in our list are here because they crystallise that fun, extravagant, colourful and adventurous spirit that the 1960s ushered in, after the sensible 1950s. But for many millions of people, life wasn't about cruising down London's Kings Road in the latest drop-top. No, families still needed safe, affordable, practical and reliable transport. In fact, they wanted to travel around in greater comfort than before. Step forward the Renault 16.
This miracle of Gallic packaging was a deserved European Car of the Year winner in 1966, beating the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow into top spot.

How did the 16 get the crown? Well, it was probably with this car that the whole notion of the practical family hatchback began. The 16 could be deployed in no fewer than six different seating arrangements – hatchback, estate, and most things in between. You could even create a sort of mobile bed back there. Groovy, baby.

Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow

So the decade brought us supercars, pint-sized packaging miracles, and clever family transport. And it also had something for those who liked to travel in a little more style.

On its launch in 1965, the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow was probably the most technologically advanced car in the world. Split-level air-conditioning, electric seats, hydropneumatic rear suspension: hang on, is this still the 1960s we're talking about here?

The big, handsome and superbly clever barge didn’t skimp on performance, either: the V8 engine displaced 6.2 litres (later 6.75 litres) and could hustle the big Rolls around at considerable speed.

The Silver Shadow was built in large numbers, meaning that plenty are still around today, albeit in varying states of repair. Elsewhere on our site you can read our helpful guide to Silver Shadow ownership – and, if you do go down the Rolls route, don't forget to protect a period piece like this with the classic car cover it deserves.

Ford Cortina

The 1960s saw the start of some pretty iconic car dynasties – the Corvette, the 911, the Mustang.
To this illustrious list we must add the Ford Cortina, whose first generation appeared in showrooms in 1962. Ford UK wanted a rival to the likes of the Vauxhall Victor and Morris Oxford Farina, and they achieved that aim with something to spare. Comfortable, modern, good to drive and keenly priced, the Cortina ticked a lot of boxes for a lot of buyers back in the 1960s.
The Mk1 Cortina (1962-66) sold respectably; the Mk2 (1966-70) knocked the BMC 1100 / 1300 (aka 'Land Crab') off its perch as Britain's best-selling car. Thus, the Ford Cortina began a period of dominance in the UK family car market that would see it right through the 1970s.

Ferrari Daytona

After the Lamborghini Miura, our choice for another Italian car for the list got pretty agonising. The Iso Grifo, Maserati Ghibli… some wonderful cars were coming out of Italy towards the end of the decade.

In the end we went for the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 and GTS/4 aka 'Daytona'. We chose this one partly because the car is simply an arresting thing to look at – something that Rover recognised and sought to emulate in their design for the SD1. Also, though, the Daytona signalled the moment when the Prancing Horse went in a new direction. Gone were the (extremely pretty) rounded designs of the 1950s and early 1960s (such as the elegant, simple 250 GT): here was a new, more angular and aggressive style, that would continue the following decade with the likes of the Berlinetta Boxer and 400 grand tourer.

The fact that the 365 quickly got a cool nickname from Ferrari's recent 1-2-3 placing at the 24 Hours of Daytona only adds to the car's considerable appeal.

Classic car insurance from Lancaster

No doubt about it, the 1960s produced some truly wonderful cars. Indeed, every decade has produced its classics, and here at Lancaster we're proud to provide classic motor insurance for a huge number of them.

Whatever classic you own, or are dreaming of owning, we can provide the classic car insurance you need.

Contact us for a quote today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.