Sleek Sixties Saloons

The 1960s was a real golden era for car design, with models from around the world battling for supremacy in terms of performance, ride, handling, practicality, or outright style. And while the coupes, Grand Tourers, and sports cars of the era tend to make the headlines, there is plenty to be said about the humbler saloons from the period.

Credit: Jaguar Mk II

 

Here in the UK, the nation was benefitting from an established automotive industry, and designers that tapped into the optimism present early in the decade. And with models like the Ford Cortina and Jaguar’s Mk II (we know it technically arrived in 1959, but shhh), these not only looked great, but were also practical, and most essentially, desirable. Helped in part thanks to that old ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday’ ethos, the MkII and Cortina were campaigned successfully, the former benefitting from a sprinkling of magic from Lotus and a certain Mr J. Clark behind the wheel.   

Credit: Ford Lotus Cortina

Naturally, the Italians – those paragons of style for decades – provided the world with plenty of svelte saloons in that time. Names such as Alfa Romeo, Lancia, and Maserati are a great starting point anyway, and they only bolstered their reputation with the likes of the Giulia, Fulvia, and Quattroporte respectively. Boasting models with hints of Ferrari and Lamborghini in the styling, the Italians combined sports car design with practical three-box shapes, which also often went racing.

Credit: Maserati Quattroporte

Naturally, the French also produced some beautiful saloons, with each of the big three offering something fantastically Gallic during the decade. It says a lot that the DS was so far ahead of its time that it can only be mentioned in this list because it was built throughout the Sixties – its origins aren’t even close to being a 1960s car, starting production in 1955. The Renault 8 – especially the Gordini fettled versions – and Peugeot 504 are both true 60s models however, and offered some stylish motoring in a practical shell, even if the former’s rear-engine, rear-wheel drive was a little left-field.

Credit: Renault 8 Gordini

Credit: Peugeot 504

 

And speaking of interesting approaches to engineering and design, we can always turn to Sweden for some alternative thinking. The Saab 96 and Volvo 144 were both introduced in the Sixties; one curvier, the other boxier, both unmistakably Swedish. The Volvo’s core design could be seen influencing models through the next three decades, while the Saab was another model that was raced successfully, taking part in many of the toughest rallies around the world.

Credit: Saab 96

Credit: Volvo 144

When it comes to lasting legacies, it’s tough to look past the Germans. BMW’s Neue Klasse saloons rescued the company from financial ruin, established the Bavarian firm as makers of sports saloons par excellence, and even brought along the famous Hofmesiter Kink into BMW’s design. They also inspired the 02 Series models, and these set the foundations of many successful generations of 3 Series and 5 Series models over the following years. Another dynasty was created with the Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser Mercedes. This W100 model established the marque as a luxury car builder, with the 600 seen in service with celebrities, heads of state, dictators, Bond villains, royalty, and on the silver screen, not just in the 1960s, but for many years after too – and of course went on to inspire the S-Class.

Credit: Mercedes Benz 600

It's not just the Europeans who built some fascinating and stylish saloons in the Sixties however. The other dominant nations – the Americans and the Japanese – both presented their takes on things. US car buyers love a saloon, and it remains one of the most popular car body types, even after the explosion of SUVs in the past couple of decades. There are so many different models to pick from, but the likes of Ford’s Galaxie – the second-generation model introduced in 1960 and third arriving in 1965 – managed to shine in its own right, despite Ford’s portfolio also offering the likes of the Mustang and Thunderbird across this time. Big engines, big metalwork, but surprisingly clean and subtle (as subtle as 60s America could be) styling combined to produce a highly desirable saloon. Although the Galaxie never arrived in the UK officially, one of Japan’s offerings first gained a cult following, and then became one of the most sought-after sports cars in later generations… the Skyline GT-R. Starting out life as traditional family saloon – albeit a fairly stylish one – Nissan added the GT-R badge as well as significantly improving performance with changes to the engine, suspension, and brakes.

Credit: Ford Galaxie

 

Credit: Nissan Skyline GTR