The 1950s and 1960s were a golden era for car design. It was at this time that manufacturers really start to play around with performance and innovation in vehicles too. From sleek sports cars to powerful muscle machines, there are some iconic cars that came onto the scene between 1955 and 1965. Here is a look at the coolest car from the year you were born.
1. 1955: Chevrolet Bel Air – The Birth of a Legend
The 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air is one of the most recognizable cars of the 1950s. It had chrome accents and two-tone paint options that made it stand out from other vehicles of its day. The Bel Air also came equipped with a V8 engine, which made it a powerful car to drive. The combination of the car’s performance and eye-catching design has made it a timeless classic.
2. 1956: Ford Thunderbird – A True American Icon
There was a rise in the popularity of European roadsters. Ford saw this and created the 1956 Ford Thunderbird. It became an instant hit in the United States. It had a long hood and convertible top. This car just exuded “cool.” On top of looking great, the T-Bird also had luxurious features in the interior and was powered by a V8 engine, making it a top contender for the coolest cars in the 1950s.
3. 1957: Chevrolet Corvette – America’s Sports Car
Corvettes have always been cool, but in 1957 Chevy was tapping into cutting-edge technology. It had a sleek, aerodynamic design. Combined with a powerful engine, it was a favorite choice among performance enthusiasts. This year’s model of the Corvette introduced a 283-cubic-inch V8 engine that kicked out 283 horsepower. Just look at it, there’s no doubt this was one of the coolest cars of its day.
4. 1958: Plymouth Fury – The Star of the Road
If you’ve ever seen Stephen King’s Christine, the 1958 Plymouth Fury is the car behind the horror flick. Even if it wasn’t the star of a film, the Fury had an unique look that really made it standout. This car had bold tailfins and a distinctive grille. Not to mention it was fast for its day, thanks to the Golden Commando V8 under the hood.
5. 1959: Cadillac Eldorado – The Height of Luxury
Cadillac has a knack for making cool cars, especially back in the day. The Eldorado was a stunning car for its time. The tailfins and chrome, partnered with the amazing interior made it a symbol of American prosperity. Today, it is one of the most recognizable Caddys ever built, which is a statement to how cool this car really was.
6. 1960: Jaguar E-Type – British Elegance Meets Performance
Jaguar has gotten a bad wrap in recent years. The E-type changed things in the world of sports cars. In 1960, the E-type boasted an inline-six engine. It also had an independent rear suspension. This made it perform better than most other cars of its time, reaching speeds of up to 150 mph. The Jaguar E-type’s performance earned it a spot in automotive history and it really is one of the coolest cars you’ll ever see.
7. 1961: Lincoln Continental – Presidential Cool
This thing might look like a hearse, but it’s actually pretty cool. The 1961 Lincoln Continental had an unique design and the back doors were suicide doors. Like many of the other cars on the list, it was also fit with a V8 engine. The Continental was most famous for its role as the presidential limo. It was used by John F. Kennedy. This car was not only cool, but it became one of the most well-known cars of the early 1960s.
8. 1962: Ferrari 250 GTO – A Racing Legend
Ferrari always knows how to make a car enthusiast excited. In 1962, it released the 250 GTO. It boasted a 3.0-liter V12 engine, which made it competitive on the racetrack. Only 36 models of this car were ever built, making it pretty cool. It has become one of the most sought-after cars in history and, at auction, it has gone for tens of millions of dollars.
9. 1963: Corvette Sting Ray – The Birth of a New Generation
Another Corvette! In the 50s and 60s, Chevy was really making some beautiful machines. The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray was one of them. It had a futuristic look about it that really interested people and it had some honestly impressive performance for its time. Ultimately, this vehicle set the stage for Corvette to become a defining brand in America’s sports car market.
10. 1964: Ford Mustang – The Birth of the Pony Car
There is no doubt that the Ford Mustang has had a profound cultural impact on the car world. The 1964 Mustang was introduced at the New York World’s Fair. Ford essentially created the “pony car” category with the Mustang, which made American muscle cars more affordable for everyone. This car defined an entire generation and is undoubtedly one of the most iconic American cars ever made. That definitely makes it the coolest car in 1964.
11. 1965: Shelby Cobra 427 – Pure American Muscle
When it comes to American muscle cars and performance, the 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 definitely comes to mind. It had a massive 427-cubic-inch V8 engine and went from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds. At the time, it was a powerhouse of a vehicle. Even today, the Shelby Cobra 427 is considered to be one of the coolest cars that has ever been built.
A Decade of Legends
Cars produced between 1955 and 1965 were honestly cool. They had style and flare, but manufacturers were beginning to toy around with what they could put under the hood. This made the world of cars exciting and many of these vehicles still stand as a testament to automotive greatness.