Showrooms and streets in 1960 captured a moment of change: compact economy cars, sporty coupes and sturdy family sedans shared the road from London to Detroit and beyond. The models that stood out that year reflect shifting tastes, new engineering approaches and the start of trends that would shape the decade.
There are 20 Popular Cars in 1960, ranging from Austin/Morris Mini to Volvo PV544. For each model, details are organized as Manufacturer,Country of origin,1960 sales/production (units),Engine (L) / Power (kW), which you’ll find below.
How accurate are the 1960 sales and production numbers listed here?
Numbers from 1960 come from a mix of manufacturer reports and contemporary industry records, so they can vary by source and may combine domestic production with some export figures; treat them as the best-available historical estimates that indicate relative popularity rather than precise, audited totals.
What does including the Austin/Morris Mini and Volvo PV544 tell me about car trends in 1960?
Pairing the Mini with the Volvo PV544 highlights the era’s diversity: the Mini represents compact, urban-focused design and innovation in packaging, while the PV544 shows the sturdier, comfort-oriented family car — together they illustrate geographic variety (UK and Sweden) and different consumer priorities you’ll see below.
Popular Cars in 1960
| Model | Manufacturer | Country of origin | 1960 sales/production (units) | Engine (L) / Power (kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Impala | Chevrolet (General Motors) | USA | 1,387,000 | 4.6 / 127 |
| Ford Falcon | Ford | USA | 435,676 | 2.4 / 67 |
| VW Beetle | Volkswagen | West Germany | 899,446 | 1.2 / 27 |
| Renault Dauphine | Renault | France | 394,845 | 0.85 / 24 |
| Ford Galaxie | Ford | USA | 910,753 | 4.8 / 138 |
| Plymouth Valiant | Plymouth (Chrysler) | USA | 194,292 | 2.8 / 75 |
| Chevrolet Corvair | Chevrolet (General Motors) | USA | 250,007 | 2.3 / 60 |
| Austin/Morris Mini | British Motor Corporation (BMC) | UK | 116,677 | 0.85 / 25 |
| Fiat 500 | Fiat | Italy | 181,245 | 0.5 / 13 |
| Ford Anglia 105E | Ford UK | UK | 191,752 | 1.0 / 29 |
| Rambler American | American Motors (AMC) | USA | 120,546 | 3.2 / 67 |
| Morris Minor 1000 | Morris (BMC) | UK | 82,649 | 0.95 / 28 |
| Citroën 2CV | Citroën | France | 145,865 | 0.425 / 9 |
| Holden FB | Holden (General Motors) | Australia | 147,747 | 2.2 / 56 |
| Opel Rekord P2 | Opel (General Motors) | West Germany | 219,376 | 1.5 / 37 |
| Peugeot 403 | Peugeot | France | 105,798 | 1.5 / 48 |
| Fiat 600 | Fiat | Italy | 239,942 | 0.6 / 16 |
| Mercedes-Benz W111 | Mercedes-Benz | West Germany | 72,943 | 2.2 / 82 |
| Datsun Bluebird 310 | Datsun (Nissan) | Japan | 32,180 | 1.2 / 33 |
| Volvo PV544 | Volvo | Sweden | 33,280 | 1.6 / 45 |
Images and Descriptions
Chevrolet Impala
America’s best-selling car, the Impala was the top model in Chevrolet’s full-size lineup. Its long, low profile with subdued tailfins defined early ’60s style, offering V8 power and comfort for families across the United States.
Ford Falcon
Ford’s smash-hit compact car, the Falcon was an immediate success with its simple engineering, low price, and impressive fuel economy. It appealed to budget-conscious American families and became one of the best-selling new models in history.
VW Beetle
A global automotive icon, the Beetle was a top seller in Germany and a leading import in the USA. Its reputation for reliability, economy, and simple air-cooled engineering made it a beloved choice for millions worldwide and a symbol of practical motoring.
Renault Dauphine
This small, rear-engined sedan was one of France’s most popular cars and a major export success, especially in Europe. In 1960, it was praised for its chic styling and fuel efficiency, though its performance was modest.
Ford Galaxie
As Ford’s flagship full-size car, the Galaxie competed directly with the Chevrolet Impala. It offered a blend of style, a comfortable ride, and a wide range of V8 engine options, making it a popular choice for American families wanting space and performance.
Plymouth Valiant
Chrysler’s new, unconventionally styled compact car for 1960. The Valiant was an engineering standout with its durable “Slant-6” engine and torsion-bar suspension, offering robust performance that set it apart from its competition.
Chevrolet Corvair
A radical departure for Detroit, the Corvair featured a rear-mounted, air-cooled flat-six engine. Its European-inspired design and handling made it a unique and popular compact car in the US market during its debut years.
Austin/Morris Mini
A revolutionary British city car, the Mini’s clever transverse-engine, front-wheel-drive layout created enormous interior space. Its go-kart-like handling and classless appeal quickly made it a cultural icon in the UK and beyond.
Fiat 500
The quintessential Italian city car, the tiny rear-engined Fiat 500 was perfect for navigating narrow European streets. Its charming design, low cost, and incredible fuel economy made it the car of the people throughout Italy.
Ford Anglia 105E
With its distinctive American-influenced styling, including a reverse-raked rear window, the new Anglia was a massive sales success in the UK. Its peppy new overhead-valve engine and four-speed gearbox were major improvements that buyers loved.
Rambler American
A pioneer of the American compact car market, the Rambler was known for its solid build quality and excellent fuel economy. In 1960, AMC’s focus on smaller, sensible cars was paying off, making Rambler a strong seller against the Big Three.
Morris Minor 1000
An enduringly popular British car, the Morris Minor was cherished for its charm, reliability, and surprisingly good handling. Though a decade old by 1960, it remained a best-seller in the UK, beloved by families and district nurses alike.
Citroën 2CV
The “umbrella on wheels” was the epitome of basic, utilitarian French transportation. Designed to cross a plowed field with a basket of eggs, its soft suspension and incredible practicality made it an agricultural and counter-culture icon across Europe.
Holden FB
The undisputed king of the Australian car market, the Holden FB was a rugged, locally designed sedan perfect for the country’s tough conditions. Its dependability and style made it the default choice for Australian families in 1960.
Opel Rekord P2
As West Germany’s second best-selling car after the Beetle, the Opel Rekord offered more space, style, and comfort. Its panoramic windshield and American-inspired design made it a popular and modern choice for middle-class German families.
Peugeot 403
Renowned for its toughness and high-quality engineering, the Peugeot 403 was a comfortable and durable family sedan. It was a best-seller in France and earned a global reputation for reliability, famously driven by TV detective Columbo.
Fiat 600
Slightly larger and more powerful than the 500, the Fiat 600 was the car that truly motorized post-war Italy. It was an incredibly popular and practical small family car, with production in 1960 at its peak across Europe.
Mercedes-Benz W111
Known as the “Fintail” (Heckflosse), this new sedan set benchmarks for automotive safety with its crumple zones and padded interior. It combined luxury, engineering excellence, and subtle American-inspired styling, defining the premium car market in Europe.
Datsun Bluebird 310
A cornerstone of Japan’s emerging auto industry, the Datsun Bluebird was a popular, durable, and modern small sedan. It was a top seller in its home market and was beginning to establish Nissan’s reputation for quality in early export markets.
Volvo PV544
Known for its robust build and pioneering safety features like standard three-point seatbelts, the PV544 was a popular choice in Scandinavia and a successful export. Its tough, rounded body and rally-proven performance gave it a reputation for near-indestructibility.
