The 1960s might be the most excellent era for the sports car. Manufacturers were figuring out what consumers wanted and were delivering with power and sophistication. This decade has some of the most collectible vehicles ever made, some fetching a hefty price at auction. If you see these cars cruising Main St., know they have had some serious money spent on them.
1. 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner
Car enthusiasts will recognize this car if it cruises down the Boulevard. It was built for performance and speed, and this car delivered everything it promised to its drivers. With 425 horsepower and a top speed of 132 miles per hour, it was one of the top sports cars of the decade. Take your pick of a 3-speed manual transmission or an upgraded 4-speed manual; this car had some serious style. Depending on the condition, these cars can go from $75,000 to as much as $340,000.
2. 1960 Ford Thunderbird
The Thunderbird is one of the more iconic body styles of the 1960s. Ford had been making the Thunderbird since 1954, but they made a mark in 1960 when they released a convertible model. The new model also came with an upgraded 350 horsepower motor with 4,400 RPMs of torque. The two-door seats are comfortable and exude style and luxury. You’ll be sure to turn some heads in this beautiful ride, but it’ll cost you. Models in great condition have sold for as high as $100,000.
3. 1964 Pontiac GTO
The letters GTO are synonymous with American muscle cars. These three letters let you know that this car has some serious power. Power was something this Pontiac had in excess. The high-performance engine was revolutionary, as it was one of the first offered in a common car in the United States. Capable of going 0-60 miles per hour, the GTO was the fastest car on the market in 1964. Of course, everyone wanted one in their garage.
4. 1965 Ford Mustang
Ask almost any novice driver what the best muscle car of all time is, and most would say the Ford Mustang. The epitome of a cool car, the Mustang has provided power, speed, and style for the American driver. 1965 was the first time the Mustang hit the road, and the brand hasn’t looked back since.
5. 1967 Lamborghini Miura
Lamborghini only released about 800 models of the Miura, as it was one of the more costly automobiles to make. Still, the model is as luxurious as it was powerful. It offered a V12 engine that spits out 345 horsepower from its rare rear-wheel drive, mid-rear engine. If you want a fast car, this is your dream. Lightweight and nimble, the Miura is still highly coveted and has seen some sold at auction for millions of dollars.
6. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The 1963 Corvette Stingray looks more like a stealthy fighter pilot than it does a sports car. That being said, the Stingray is a car collector’s prime jewel. Chevy added a fiberglass body and sloped the rear tail to give the car its famous aggressive look. The two-seater had an option of 300 plus horsepower for its V6 engine. This is the car you think of when you think of the sport of the car. Only about 21,000 vehicles were ever produced.
7. 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet had to come up with an answer to the Ford Mustang that was an instant hit. The Camaro was one of the first cars to come standard with a V6 option, although the V8 was much more valued. The 67 Camaro destroyed the competition with its speed, as it could go 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 5 seconds and reach speeds as high as 155 miles per hour. The rarity of the car proves true today, and the models that have maintained good condition sell for well over $100,000.
8. 1969 Pontiac Trans AM
More often than not, the Trans AM is referred to as the Firebird. How cool of a name is that? This car delivered on the cool factor. The two-door came in a hard top or convertible, and the V8 was full of horsepower. Car experts agree it was one of the best models of the decade. Collectors have been looking for this car, but models in good condition are rare. An average model could cost $90,000, but some have been sold for $180,000.
9. 1968 Ford Torino
The Ford Torino was built to rival the Dodge Charger and Chevrolet Camaro. It was bigger than the Mustang and focused on performance and luxury. A four-door sedan, which was rare in the American muscle category, was offered. It still had 300-plus horsepower to give it some juice, and car lovers still wish they had one today. Pretty standard among 60 sports cars, the Torino can range from $50,000 up to $100,000.
10. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO
Only a handful of this roadster were ever made, making the 250 GTO one of the rarest vehicles of all time. A speed of 174 miles per hour can be hit in this sports car, and it hits 60 miles per hour in under 6 seconds. No doubt, this is a race car, and its aerodynamics and handling prove it. Very few have been lucky enough to get behind the wheel of this car, and it recently sold for $48.4 million, which means very few will ever get to drive one.
