The Jalopy Journal

**Jive-Bomber** · 03-30-2012, 08:16 AM

This is it, fellas. The last chapter of our "Most Beautiful" series on US automotive design. I hope you've had as much fun as I have looking back at the car shapes that have best stood the test of time. We are cutting this one off at '64, and despite...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

pwschuh · 03-30-2012, 08:17 AM

And so it begins....

No arguments from me on any of those.

Tom davison · 03-30-2012, 08:59 AM

Does '65 count as early?

**1stGrumpy** · 03-30-2012, 09:24 AM

Buick Riviera has always been a favorite of mine. Makes a beautiful lowrider...

Bdamfino · 03-30-2012, 09:33 AM

I prefer the '61 Starliner, and I added a Pontiac and two Studes!!!!

raymay · 03-30-2012, 09:49 AM

Good selection. The big cars did have the comfort and style. One of my favorites which was not exactly the most comfortable on long road trips is the 69 Camaro.

BOP-Nut · 03-30-2012, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymay

Good selection. The big cars did have the comfort and style. One of my favorites which was not exactly the most comfortable on long road trips is the 69 Camaro.

Is 1969 part of the early 60s? Is a Camaro HAMB material?

Anyways, back on topic... I agree with that list wholeheartedly.

38zephyr · 03-30-2012, 09:54 AM

60 Cadillac Coupe de Ville
61 Impala bubbletop
62 Bel air bubbletop
63 Corvette split window
63 Buick Riviera

scrubba · 03-30-2012, 09:55 AM

Taking into consideration only the EARLY60's , Here are my choices ;
63 Buick Riveria
62 Bonniville
63 Studebaker Avanti
60 Buick L Sabre

scrubba

joee · 03-30-2012, 09:57 AM

WOW AND DOUBLE WOW on the 65 pont.

49ratfink · 03-30-2012, 10:04 AM

the early Riviera would be my top choice for early 60's style, even though I'd rather have a 62 Impala.

61 Caddy Coupe De Ville is a much better looking car than the 62's with the thin rear pillars as upposed to the big fat ones on the 62's. probably saved a fortune in 62 using the same top as the sedan.

not a Vette weenie but the 63's must have been quite a sensation when they came out. I was only 3 so I probably didn't notice until later.

... kind of hard to pick a top 5, but if we were doing the bottom 5 styling losers I have two of the winners right here:

rustednutz · 03-30-2012, 10:09 AM

I'd say 1. '63 Split window Vette
2. '63 Riviera
3. any Gm bubbletop
4. '62 Caddy
5. '64 Thunderbolt
Hate to quit with just five, but I cheated with #3.

Tuxedo · 03-30-2012, 10:09 AM

1960 Matador/Polara Coupe and Hardtop Wagon
1960 Mercury Wagon
1960/61 Chrysler Coupe and Wagon

FEDER · 03-30-2012, 10:12 AM

1963 1/2 Galaxy xl
1961 Starline
1961 olds starfire
1963 Bonneville
1962 T Bird Roadster

rustednutz · 03-30-2012, 10:12 AM

Oh, by the way, I agree with 49rf for two in the loser catagory, but I did love the '64 Sport Fury.

Jalopy Journalist · 03-30-2012, 10:23 AM

1964 Buick Riviera, check.
1961 Coupe De Ville, check.

But I would add,

1963 Corvette (Normal or Grand Sport). I love the split rear window and just how aggressive it looks.

1964 Jaguar XKE Drop Head. So good looking, so sleek.

And finally, the piece de resistance, 1964 Ferrari GTO. The reason that I like this car so much is because it IS Ferrari's Hot Rod. Sure all the cars go fast, but this sounds, feels, drives (or so I have heard) like a hot rod. It earns serious points on my list and I know that everyones lists have mostly been American, but I like to introduce selection.

Mr. Sinister · 03-30-2012, 10:38 AM

Can't argue with the Riv. One of the best looking cars EVER produced.

Jigger · 03-30-2012, 11:03 AM

Jive-Bomber, your list is mine. You nailed it in my opinion...
(I'd mention the Continental convertible as a stand out)

This is the list of my runners up:
I'd place the '62 and '62 Pontiacs right there with the '61,
I'd add a sixth and make it a tied between the '60 Chrysler 300F/Desoto Adventurer,
I also would add the '63 Sting Ray.

falcongeorge · 03-30-2012, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bdamfino

I prefer the '61 Starliner,

X2, and i would replace the cad with the '64 Comet Caliente.

Flat-N-Low · 03-30-2012, 11:12 AM

It's not often that I agree with someone else's list, but you hit the nail right on the head. I do agree with the suggestion on the '63 Vette. That one is an icon, a real game-changer.

I think that the Bill Mitchell-led GM design team from the '60s produced some of the most beautiful vehicles ever.

I love '60s cars!

03-30-2012, 08:16 AM	#1
Jive-Bomber Alliance Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Moraga, Ca Posts: 2,428	The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s This is it, fellas. The last chapter of our "Most Beautiful" series on US automotive design. I hope you've had as much fun as I have looking back at the car shapes that have best stood the test of time. We are cutting this one off at '64, and despite... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

03-30-2012, 08:17 AM	#2
pwschuh Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mid-Atlantic Posts: 1,593	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s And so it begins.... No arguments from me on any of those.

03-30-2012, 09:24 AM	#4
1stGrumpy Alliance Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Clarksville, Ar. Posts: 3,563	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s Buick Riviera has always been a favorite of mine. Makes a beautiful lowrider... __________________ Paddle faster, I hear banjo's http://www.clarksvillecinema.com

03-30-2012, 09:33 AM	#5
Bdamfino Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hamlet, NC Posts: 275	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s I prefer the '61 Starliner, and I added a Pontiac and two Studes!!!! Attached Thumbnails

03-30-2012, 09:49 AM	#6
raymay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 1,300	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s Good selection. The big cars did have the comfort and style. One of my favorites which was not exactly the most comfortable on long road trips is the 69 Camaro. Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Belief in reinCARnation begins with some cutting tools and a good welder"

03-30-2012, 08:59 AM	#3
Tom davison Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 2,065	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s Does '65 count as early? __________________ www.tomdavisonart.com

03-30-2012, 09:54 AM	#8
38zephyr Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southern Ca. Posts: 690	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s 60 Cadillac Coupe de Ville 61 Impala bubbletop 62 Bel air bubbletop 63 Corvette split window 63 Buick Riviera __________________ Who the HELL is interrupting my KUNG FU ? Last edited by 38zephyr; 03-31-2012 at 06:00 AM.

03-30-2012, 09:55 AM	#9
scrubba Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Richmond Va. for now Posts: 700	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s Taking into consideration only the EARLY60's , Here are my choices ; 63 Buick Riveria 62 Bonniville 63 Studebaker Avanti 60 Buick L Sabre scrubba __________________ See ya on de road folks ..........

03-30-2012, 09:57 AM	#10
joee Grenade Inspector Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: WYNANTSKILL,NY Posts: 358	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s WOW AND DOUBLE WOW on the 65 pont.

03-30-2012, 10:04 AM	#11
49ratfink Old School HAMBer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: S.F. bay area, California Posts: 13,302	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s the early Riviera would be my top choice for early 60's style, even though I'd rather have a 62 Impala. 61 Caddy Coupe De Ville is a much better looking car than the 62's with the thin rear pillars as upposed to the big fat ones on the 62's. probably saved a fortune in 62 using the same top as the sedan. not a Vette weenie but the 63's must have been quite a sensation when they came out. I was only 3 so I probably didn't notice until later. ... kind of hard to pick a top 5, but if we were doing the bottom 5 styling losers I have two of the winners right here:

03-30-2012, 10:09 AM	#12
rustednutz Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: tulsa, ok Posts: 1,463	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s I'd say 1. '63 Split window Vette 2. '63 Riviera 3. any Gm bubbletop 4. '62 Caddy 5. '64 Thunderbolt Hate to quit with just five, but I cheated with #3. __________________ I was livin' the dream...then she elbowed me in the ribs and I woke up.

03-30-2012, 10:09 AM	#13
Tuxedo Grenade Inspector Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Belford, NJ Posts: 283	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s 1960 Matador/Polara Coupe and Hardtop Wagon 1960 Mercury Wagon 1960/61 Chrysler Coupe and Wagon

03-30-2012, 10:12 AM	#14
FEDER Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Warm Beach, WA Posts: 1,278	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s 1963 1/2 Galaxy xl 1961 Starline 1961 olds starfire 1963 Bonneville 1962 T Bird Roadster __________________ You remember the story of the hotrod race where the Ford and Mercury were settin the pace THEY STILL ARE !!!!

03-30-2012, 10:23 AM	#16
Jalopy Journalist Grenade Inspector Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 255	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s 1964 Buick Riviera, check. 1961 Coupe De Ville, check. But I would add, 1963 Corvette (Normal or Grand Sport). I love the split rear window and just how aggressive it looks. 1964 Jaguar XKE Drop Head. So good looking, so sleek. And finally, the piece de resistance, 1964 Ferrari GTO. The reason that I like this car so much is because it IS Ferrari's Hot Rod. Sure all the cars go fast, but this sounds, feels, drives (or so I have heard) like a hot rod. It earns serious points on my list and I know that everyones lists have mostly been American, but I like to introduce selection. __________________ Happily dreaming one outlandish dream after another.

03-30-2012, 10:38 AM	#17
Mr. Sinister Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fair Hill, MD. Posts: 912	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s Can't argue with the Riv. One of the best looking cars EVER produced. __________________ Bill - 55 Chevy 210 68 Caddy Coupe DeVille Broken Rods CC

03-30-2012, 11:03 AM	#18
Jigger Old School HAMBer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Neligh Nebraska Posts: 3,086	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s Jive-Bomber, your list is mine. You nailed it in my opinion... (I'd mention the Continental convertible as a stand out) This is the list of my runners up: I'd place the '62 and '62 Pontiacs right there with the '61, I'd add a sixth and make it a tied between the '60 Chrysler 300F/Desoto Adventurer, I also would add the '63 Sting Ray. __________________ *Stand on the Rock; don't crawl under it.* http://markervin327.wix.com/art-n-moti0n#! Last edited by Jigger; 04-03-2012 at 08:01 PM.

03-30-2012, 11:12 AM	#20
Flat-N-Low Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Apple Valley, California Posts: 1,011	Re: The Five Most Beautiful cars of the early 1960s It's not often that I agree with someone else's list, but you hit the nail right on the head. I do agree with the suggestion on the '63 Vette. That one is an icon, a real game-changer. I think that the Bill Mitchell-led GM design team from the '60s produced some of the most beautiful vehicles ever. I love '60s cars!

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