Across Europe and North America in 1962, car ownership was about practicality and personality: small, nimble city cars sat alongside roomy family saloons and sporty two-doors. This list pulls together the models that stood out that year, reflecting regional tastes, fuel economy needs, and the beginnings of modern compact design.
There are 20 Popular Cars in 1962, ranging from the Austin Mini to the Volkswagen Beetle to show the span from small urban runabouts to globally recognized family cars. For each entry, you’ll find below Manufacturer, Market region, Key specs (engine L, power hp, body, weight kg), so you can compare origins and basic performance at a glance — you’ll find below.
Which regions preferred compact models like the Austin Mini versus larger cars in 1962?
Compact models such as the Austin Mini were most popular in tight-city environments across the UK and parts of Europe where parking and fuel economy mattered, while larger family saloons and American imports found stronger demand in the U.S., Canada, and some Commonwealth markets where interior space and highway cruising were priorities.
How reliable are the listed specifications and what should I expect from them?
The specs compile period manufacturer data and common trim figures, but expect some variation by market and optional equipment; use engine liters, horsepower, body type and weight (kg) as comparative guides rather than absolute values for every specific chassis or trim.
Popular Cars in 1962
| Name | Manufacturer | Market region | Key specs (engine L, power hp, body, weight kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Beetle | Volkswagen | Europe/Global | 1.20 L, 36 hp, two-door saloon, 830 kg |
| Austin Mini | Austin | UK/Europe | 0.85 L, 34 hp, compact, 610 kg |
| Jaguar E-Type | Jaguar | UK/US/Europe | 3.80 L, 265 hp, coupe/roadster, 1,200 kg |
| Ford Falcon | Ford | US | 2.40 L, 90 hp, compact sedan, 1,160 kg |
| Chevrolet Impala | Chevrolet | US | 3.90 L, 135 hp, full-size sedan, 1,590 kg |
| Chevrolet Corvette | Chevrolet | US | 5.36 L, 250 hp, sports car, 1,200 kg |
| Ford Thunderbird | Ford | US | 6.40 L, 300 hp, personal luxury, 1,700 kg |
| Rambler American | AMC | US | 3.20 L, 120 hp, compact sedan, 1,120 kg |
| Porsche 356 | Porsche | Europe/US | 1.60 L, 75 hp, coupe/roadster, 900 kg |
| Ford Cortina Mk1 | Ford | UK | 1.20 L, 55 hp, saloon, 900 kg |
| Fiat 500 Nuova | Fiat | Italy/Europe | 0.48 L, 13 hp, city car, 500 kg |
| Citroën DS | Citroën | France/Europe | 1.91 L, 75 hp, saloon, 1,200 kg |
| Renault Dauphine | Renault | France/Europe | 0.85 L, 30 hp, compact, 650 kg |
| Morris Minor | Morris | UK | 1.10 L, 34 hp, saloon/estate, 730 kg |
| Triumph TR4 | Triumph | UK/US | 2.14 L, 105 hp, roadster, 1,000 kg |
| Mercedes 220SE | Mercedes-Benz | Europe/Export | 2.20 L, 110 hp, luxury saloon, 1,300 kg |
| Fiat 600 | Fiat | Italy/Europe | 0.60 L, 21 hp, compact, 585 kg |
| Datsun Bluebird | Datsun | Japan/Export | 1.50 L, 68 hp, saloon, 900 kg |
| Toyota Corona | Toyota | Japan/Export | 1.50 L, 65 hp, saloon, 950 kg |
| Ford Anglia 105E | Ford | UK | 1.00 L, 39 hp, small saloon, 740 kg |
Images and Descriptions
Volkswagen Beetle
Iconic rear-engined compact, Europe’s best-selling car in 1962 with strong global sales. Praised for economy, reliability and ubiquity; commonly seen across Europe, Latin America and the US, defining mass motoring for everyday buyers.
Austin Mini
Groundbreaking space-efficient small car, a UK bestseller in 1962 thanks to brilliant packaging and nimble handling. Affordable, economical and fashionable; became a cultural icon with strong sales among urban drivers and small families across Britain and Europe.
Jaguar E-Type
Revolutionary sporting coupe/roadster acclaimed for performance and beauty; huge press attention in 1962. A status symbol in the UK, US and Europe, it drew buyers seeking high-speed touring, making Jaguar a global sports-car benchmark.
Ford Falcon
Compact, economical American family car that sold strongly in 1962. Practical, simple engineering and competitive pricing made the Falcon a common sight in US suburbs, appealing to buyers downsizing from full-size cars without sacrificing comfort.
Chevrolet Impala
Top-selling full-size American family car with broad model range and strong 1962 dealer demand. Known for roomy interiors, V8 options and stylish trim, the Impala dominated suburban sales and remained a go-to family and fleet choice across the US.
Chevrolet Corvette
America’s premier two-seat sports car, 1962 Corvettes drew enthusiasts with new high-performance V8s and racing-derived engineering. High media profile and showroom appeal kept the Corvette prominent among buyers seeking performance and style rather than mass-market practicality.
Ford Thunderbird
Luxury-oriented personal car combining V8 power with comfort features; the Thunderbird sold well in 1962 to buyers wanting style and cruise comfort. Its distinct market niche between full-size sedans and sports cars made it widely covered by the press.
Rambler American
Economical compact with strong sales in the US, the Rambler American was praised for value, reliability and economy in 1962. AMC’s marketing and competitive pricing made it a popular choice for cost-conscious families and drivers seeking smaller cars.
Porsche 356
Lightweight European sports car popular among enthusiasts and racers in 1962. The 356 combined agile handling, distinctive styling and Porsche’s motorsport pedigree, making it sought-after across Europe and North America despite limited production volumes.
Ford Cortina Mk1
Introduced in 1962, the Cortina quickly became a British bestseller for its modern design, practical interior and affordable running costs. Strong dealer demand made it a frequent sight on UK roads and a template for later family cars.
Fiat 500 Nuova
Ultra-compact city car dominating Italian urban streets in 1962, prized for tiny footprint, low running costs and pragmatic design. The 500 helped motorize postwar Italy and achieved strong domestic and export sales to similar markets.
Citroën DS
Technically advanced saloon renowned for hydropneumatic suspension, comfort and innovation. In 1962 the DS enjoyed strong popularity among French and European buyers seeking refinement and progressive engineering, earning frequent praise in contemporary press.
Renault Dauphine
Affordable small car with strong European sales and noteworthy export reach in 1962. The Dauphine appealed as an economical family car, offering simple mechanics, good fuel economy and wide availability during early 1960s motoring expansion.
Morris Minor
Long-running British family car known for practicality and durability; the Minor remained common on UK roads in 1962. Its simple mechanics and affordable ownership made it a staple of postwar British motoring for families and tradespeople.
Triumph TR4
Sporting British roadster popular in the US and UK thanks to lively twin-carb engines and modern styling. In 1962 the TR4 offered brisk performance, touring comfort and strong press coverage among sports-car buyers.
Mercedes 220SE
Upscale, well-built luxury saloon favored by professional and affluent buyers across Europe and export markets in 1962. The 220SE combined conservative prestige, smooth six-cylinder engines and strong dealer support, making it a steady seller.
Fiat 600
Small, affordable family car that sold strongly in Italy and southern Europe in 1962. Practical for urban families, the 600’s space-efficient layout and low cost made it a common and influential compact on crowded European streets.
Datsun Bluebird
Reliable Japanese family saloon gaining traction at home and in export markets in 1962. The Bluebird’s simple, economical engineering and improving build quality helped Datsun expand internationally and build a reputation for affordable dependability.
Toyota Corona
Popular mid-size Japanese family car with solid domestic sales in 1962, the Corona offered dependable engineering and expanding export prospects. It helped establish Toyota’s reputation for value and durability in Asia and selected overseas markets.
Ford Anglia 105E
Distinctively styled small Ford selling well in the UK in 1962 for its economy and character. The Anglia’s quirky rearward-slanted rear window and affordable running costs made it a common budget choice for British buyers.
