History The Best Custom Material... 1960 Models.

Jive-Bomber submitted a new blog post:

The Best Custom Material... 1960 Models.

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Of the 5 examples you show, my choice would be the Pontiac.
The wide horizontal front-end styling appeals to me, that and the body line that is almost continuous around the body.
My second pick would be the Buick. I find the body sculpting on the sides a little "busy" though....

You know what they say about opinions......

 

In sticking to the year 1960; Pontiac tops my list as well with the Buick coming in 2nd. My buddy has a convertible of each and man are they great riding cars.

 

A friend of mine has a 60 Bonneville Hardtop that's been done as a "Mild" Custom and it looks great.
Nothing like a "Wide track Pontiac."
For my Money I would go with the Invicta. Wouldn't take much. Just some shaving and a little stance adjustment. and some skirts. Not to mention having a 401 Nailhead....
Interesting that 3 of the 5 cars pictured have the same windshield and A pillar. One of GM's prettiest.
Torchie

 

My list would be something like this.

Caddilac


Pontiac.



Dodge



Chevy



Ford

 

I've always been partial to the '60 Olds. We just did a story on Mark Kawano's revamped '60s ad art in TRJ #77 that broadened my perspective a little though. Check out this '60 DeSoto...

 

As you said, I too love the 60 Cadillac because it's a toned down version of the garish 59s. Had it come out first it might have been too bold, but the 59 was SO bold the pulled back 60 styling was just right.

 

I might be biased, but I'd go for the Poncho!

 

Rodders Journal, issue #77 did a spread on these cars. Man I wish those days were back instead of the cookie cutter cars they put out today.

 

I was a big Chevy fan back then, but that '60 Ford Starliner just hit me - always loved them. Very unique styling that needed virtually nothing except a bit of stance change, wheels, and maybe a nice candy one color paint IMHO.

 

I'd go for a 1957 Caddy El Dorado, lowered with side pipes, and tires of the same profile as stock. A bit ratty and low-buck...no fancy paint. Maybe a peeling vinyl top.

 

Sometimes folks overlook the flat tops in 1960 which is the leading picture in the original post. For 59-60 I would choose a four door flat top over the bubble top coupe on almost all the GM offerings because that roofline is so damn cool. Here's my 60:

 

BUT if I had to choose one car from 1960 it's gotta be the Eldorado Brougham. I have a tendency to have odd taste in design - in my book this model was the best design to ever come out of Detroit, especially when laid out on those stock bags.

 

Can't find the pic now BUT the 60 Pontiac is one of the only cars that I have ever seen that actually benefited from the installation of 59 Caddy taillights and they looked like they belonged there. And I would pretty much surrender my left testicle for a nice 60 wagon...

 

@Curt Six Iseli's article in TRJ #77 with Mark Kawano's illustrations really opened my eyes to '60s MoPars as fodder for a Mild Custom.

So to answer Jay's hypothetical:

I'd walk into my local Chrysler Corporation dealership and purchase one of their 1960 model year (Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, Imperial, or Plymouth) 2-door hardtops:

1960 Chrysler 2-door Hardtops



1960 DeSoto 2-door Hardtop



1960 Dodge 2-door Hardtop



1960 Imperial 2-door Hardtop



1960 Plymouth 2-door Hardtop​

 

I'd have to pick a '60 Caddy

 

Poncho as well...


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Didn't Ford make a Starliner in 1961 also?

 

Yes, same top but different body. The 1960 Ford was a one year body-style.....

 

Yep, picture stolen from Kustomrama.

 

hell yeah, they're custom right out of the factory. True lines, spacey and to the point!

 

60 Imperial..

For 61, the big Olds..

 

That's what I was going to say, the 60 Olds was custom from the factory.

 

No Olds? No Chrysler?

 

Whew! Can we have a few more views of that Oldsie, @Lono?

Good lookin' Olds, though...

 

I have a passion for early`60s cars. I have a `64 Riviera but would take any of the models shown in a pinch.

 

I'd be tempted to choose the Cadillac - already nearly perfect; little work required. After that, the Bonneville, perhaps more potential but for me would need a lot of 'cleaning up'. My choice though - I'd have to go for the Invicta... John Hiatt's 'Deuce and a Quarter' - one of my very favorite songs.

 

You could get a two door wagon Pontiac in Canada in 1960. Granted, it was basically a Chevrolet under the body, but it made for a unique body style that would be ripe for customizing.