1962 was a pivotal year for automotive design: Ferrari prepared the 250 GTO for serious competition, Jaguar’s E‑Type was already reshaping what a sports car could look like, and American makers refined powerful, stylish family cars for the open highway.
The technical scene was changing too — DOHC engines and independent suspensions were maturing, and fuel injection began appearing on select European models. Production in 1962 mixed handbuilt coachwork with emerging factory sophistication.
This article surveys the 10 best cars of 1962 — models that combined innovation, performance, style, and cultural impact, grouped into Sports & Performance, American Icons & Muscle, and Luxury & Touring. Selection was based on historical influence, engineering, design, performance, and lasting appeal.
Sports & Performance Icons (1962)
1962 was a year when lightweight handling and race‑bred engineering set the benchmark. Track performance, small high‑revving engines, and coachbuilt designs made these 1962 sports cars particularly desirable to drivers and privateer racers.
1. Ferrari 250 GTO (1962 racing season)
The 250 GTO is one of the most celebrated race‑bred GTs of the early 1960s. Maserati and Ferrari privateers raced it hard in SCCA and European GT events during 1962, proving the car’s competitiveness on both sides of the Atlantic.
Under the long hood sits a 3.0‑liter V12 that produced roughly 300 bhp in competition tune. Scarcity is part of the legend: about 36 road‑going 250 GTOs were built between 1962 and 1964, and that limited production drives modern auction records.
Collectors prize the 250 GTO for its combination of light weight, homologated race specification, and documented race history — privateer victories at tracks like Goodwood and strong SCCA showings in 1962 helped cement its status.
2. Jaguar E‑Type Series 1 (1961–1962 peak influence)
The E‑Type entered 1962 as a design and performance milestone that felt modern and affordable compared with coachbuilt alternatives. Enzo Ferrari famously called it “the most beautiful car ever made,” a quote that stuck.
Jaguar’s 3.8‑liter DOHC straight‑six delivered about 265 bhp in early Series 1 tune, enough for a 0–60 mph time near 6.9 seconds by period testing. Those numbers, combined with independent suspension and monocoque influences, made the E‑Type quick and composed.
Offered as fixed‑head coupe and open roadster, the E‑Type broadened sports‑car ownership by pairing showroom‑stunning styling with genuine performance. Early 1960s production volumes made it common enough to see on roads, yet special enough to influence decades of design.
3. Porsche 356 (late 356B/356C — 1962 refinement)
Porsche’s 356 family remained competitive in 1962 thanks to lightweight construction and finely tuned chassis balance. The cars were nimble and forgiving in club racing and rallies.
Street variants back then used air‑cooled flat‑four engines in the 1.6‑liter range, producing roughly 75–95 hp depending on tune and model year. The Porsche’s low weight and precise steering made the performance feel greater than the raw numbers imply.
Owners used 356s for daily spirited driving and for amateur motorsport, from local rallies to endurance club events. Carrera and higher‑spec variants offered race capability for private teams in the early 1960s.
4. AC Cobra (continuing Shelby influence in 1962)
The AC Cobra captured imaginations by marrying British lightweight chassis design with American V8 power. In 1962 the Shelby program was establishing the Cobra as a straight‑line and circuit threat.
Early Cobras used Ford’s 4.7‑liter (289 cu in) V8, producing strong torque and quick sprint times; later, larger 7.0‑liter (427 cu in) engines appeared in higher‑spec builds for even more brutal acceleration. That American V8 in a small British body defined a new performance recipe.
Shelby prepared cars raced in SCCA and international events, and the Cobra’s success influenced both U.S. muscle thinking and European sports‑car development for years to come.
American Icons & Muscle (1962)
The U.S. market in 1962 favored V8 muscle, comfortable highway cruising, and bold styling. Big‑displacement engines, evolving transmissions, and cars like the Corvette shaped buyer expectations for both performance and daily usability.
5. Chevrolet Corvette (1962 model year)
The 1962 Corvette closed out the first generation with a mix of refinement and performance that pointed toward the mid‑1960s sports‑car era. It was the swan song of the C1 before the major redesign to follow.
Midway through the model year GM offered the new 327 cu in (5.4‑liter) V8, with high‑tune versions approaching roughly 360 hp. Styling tweaks for 1962 included a revised grille and twin headlamp treatment that sharpened the car’s look.
For American drivers wanting a domestic sports car, the Corvette combined racetrack potential with showroom polish. Production in 1962 showed steady demand and a growing reputation in club racing circles.
6. Ford Galaxie 500/Starliner (top-line American cruiser)
Ford’s Galaxie 500 and the aerodynamic Starliner were statements about highway speed and family comfort. For 1962 buyers the Galaxie offered big‑car room with available high‑performance V8s.
Engine choices in the era included FE‑series V8s—buyers could select displacements such as the 390 cu in unit for strong midrange torque and highway passing power. Trim options like bucket seats and sport packages let buyers tailor the car’s character.
On the race circuit, Galaxie variants enjoyed success in NASCAR and stock‑car competition in the early 1960s, contributing to Ford’s performance image among American buyers.
7. Chrysler 300 (letter-series lineage into early 1960s)
The Chrysler 300 lineage carried a reputation for performance‑luxury into the early 1960s. The model appealed to buyers who wanted both powerful engines and upscale appointments.
Historically the 300 series was associated with high‑output V8s and strong straight‑line performance. By 1962 the car combined roomy, well‑trimmed interiors with performance options that set it apart from ordinary full‑size models.
Customers who chose a Chrysler 300 expected refinement alongside speed, and coachwork and bespoke trim levels reinforced the model’s position as a near‑flagship offering in the U.S. market.
Luxury & Touring Classics (1962)
For long‑distance comfort and craftsmanship, 1962 offered cars that prioritized refinement and durability. Luxury models showcased fuel injection on select European cars and coachbuilt touches from established ateliers.
8. Mercedes‑Benz 220SE (1962 refinement and tech)
The 220SE represented conservative, durable German engineering in 1962. Mercedes combined build quality with measured technological progress that appealed to owners wanting long‑term reliability.
Many W111/W112‑derived cars around this era offered a 2.2‑liter inline‑six and, on higher‑spec models, Bosch fuel injection. That combination delivered smooth cruising and dependable mileage for extended touring.
Drivers appreciated the 220SE for long‑lived mechanicals and a quiet, planted ride. For collectors today, original fuel‑injected examples stand out for their early adoption of the technology.
9. Aston Martin DB4 (Grand touring craftsmanship)
The DB4 in 1962 embodied hand‑built grand touring done right. Carrozzeria Touring supplied Superleggera coachwork, giving the DB4 elegant lines and surprisingly light structure for its size.
Under the hood sat Aston Martin’s 3.7‑liter straight‑six, a refined engine that balanced smoothness with sporting character. Production volumes were modest, with builders making only low hundreds of cars per year, which adds to the DB4’s rarity today.
Collectors prize original DB4s for their blend of comfort and capability; DB4 GT variants sharpened the sporting edge for buyers who wanted track‑ready performance without losing touring manners.
10. Rolls‑Royce Silver Cloud II (1962 luxury standard)
The Silver Cloud II served as a benchmark for top‑tier comfort and authoritative presence in the early 1960s. Its coachbuilt proportions and sumptuous interiors marked it as a true status vehicle for chauffeurs and owners alike.
Produced through 1962, the Cloud II retained the traditional Rolls‑Royce straight‑six powerplant and sumptuous trim while embodying the brand’s emphasis on refinement over flash. V8 power arrived later in the marque’s chronology.
For long journeys and formal events, the Silver Cloud II offered reassuring ride quality, generous interior appointments, and coachwork options that appealed to embassies, hotels, and private owners seeking maximum presence.
Summary
- These 10 cars mix engineering advances and memorable styling that still influence collectors and designers today.
- Surprises include extreme scarcity — the Ferrari 250 GTO had about 36 road cars built — and enduring auction values for rare race‑bred models.
- Technical highlights range from Porsche’s lightweight flat‑fours to Jaguar’s 3.8L straight‑six and Aston Martin’s 3.7L grand‑touring engine choices.
- These 1962 classics show how sports handling, American V8 power, and European coachbuilding created distinct market niches that still attract enthusiasts.
- Want to see one in person? Visit a local classic‑car show, check auction listings, or join a marque club to learn more about the best cars of 1962.
