1960s Cars

Cars of the 1960s: A Turbulent Ride Through The Times

The 1960s was a time of turbulence, change and excitement, especially for the youth culture. A generation came of age transforming society and culture with their music, political views and desire for change. Even the cars of the time reflected the decade, which started with the day-glow optimism of youthful excitement and ended with a psychedelic storm of a counter culture unlike anything the world had previously witnessed.

During the early part of the decade, autos like the Renault Dauphine were simple and compact. With Jukebox Jury and a booming economy, teens clamoured to buy the newest music. With Cliff Richard and the Shadows playing in the background, the peppy, convertible Facel Vega Facellia mirrored the optimism of the early 1960s. For friends driving to the cinema to see Psycho, or hitting the record store for the newest Beatles’ release, cars echoed the simple pleasures of the earlier part of the decade.

By the mid-1960s, mods were on the scene decked out in Levi’s and Doc Martens, listening to the Who’s “The Kids are Alright” and “My Generation.” Cars, like the Buick Electra, became cruising machines. The wildly cool Morris Minor 1000 was the kind of ride that got people noticed, and the Kink’s single, “You Really Got Me,” got young people dancing. Society was changing and people sought more opportunities for social mobility. Women were gaining equality, and for the first time, youth culture began to make its own mark.

As the decade wore on, a new counter culture began to emerge. The rugged, wide Chevrolet Impala was full of muscle, and plenty of youth blasted Hendrix on the speakers as they transformed the society around them. As a reaction against the social norms of the time, young people questioned the world around them. Gone were the days of compliant youth, following societal expectation without question. A fear of nuclear destruction led to political protests and social upheaval. On the road, the Austin Gypsy was a hefty vehicle, perfect carrying large groups of students and hippies around the countryside, looking for meaning, stimulation, peace and love. In 1969, the “Giant Killer,” the sleek Mini Cooper was released. With mini skirts and mini cars, the decade came to end, but the spirit of the times and the impact of a generation live on.