The beauty of classic cars is that they capture the era of when they were manufactured, such as tailfins and car phonographs in the 1950s. The 1960s were a time for new ideas, of taking risks and building sleek and stylish cars. 1965 was called ‘the year of the stylist.’ Appearance became more important than engineering, and in honour of the decade, we’ve come up with six of the best classic cars from the era.
1. 1964 Shelby Cobra 427
Giving new meaning to ‘dreamcar,’ the story goes that racer Carroll Shelby came up with the Cobra name in his sleep. He combined the nimble quality of an AC Car with a powerful American V8 engine to create a robust hybrid. In 1964, he built the Shelby Cobra 427, which featured a Ford big block 7 litre engine. The car was incredibly fast, even by today’s standards, capable of going from 0 to 60mph in over 4 seconds.
2. 1965 Ford Mustang
No car dominated the 60s like the Ford Mustang, as it captured the imagination of a new generation. It’s iconic features were part of the appeal, from the running horse in the grille, to the side scallops along the flanks. 1965 saw the introduction of a fastback model, which came with running horses across the seat back and a power steering pump. The mustang remains a popular choice for men and women.
3. 1966 Lamborghini Miura
The first modern supercar, the Lamborghini Miura changed the world of classic cars forever. It was also the first production sports car to have an engine in the middle. The car’s sharp, attractive look had celebrities like Rod Stewart lining up to buy it. In less than than 3 years, Lamborghini built 474 units of the first generation Miura. The Lambo is a great choice for any car enthusiast who favours style.
4. 1963 Corvette Stingray
The Corvette Stingray has a wonderful blend of elegance and engineering. This can be seen from the split-windows design and retractable headlights. The slick bodywork of the Stingray made it one of the most popular cars of the 60s, and it continues to captivate car fans to this day.
Credit: Wallpaper Cave
5. 1961 Jaguar E-Type
Labelled as ‘the most beautiful car in the world,’ by Enzo Ferrari, the Jaguar E-Type was a revolutionary car. Designed by Malcolm Sayer, the Jaguar stood out with its centred twin exhaust and long, graceful nose. At a launch price of £2,250, the car was very affordable, which set it apart from other models. In the modern age we think, it’s still one of the most beautiful cars out there.
6. 1964 Pontiac Tempest
The 1964 Pontiac Tempest is regarded as the first widely available muscle car. The vehicle was developed to appeal to the younger generation who wanted to get away from the ‘old man’ car of their parents. It featured a conventional 215 cubic-inch inline six-cylinder engine that made the car a hit with young adults, who were discovering their freedom on the open road.
We offer insurance on a range of classic models, such as Fords. This will give you peace of mind when you’re on the road and enjoying life to the fullest.
