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10 Coolest Sedans From The 60s

Vukasin Herbez June 8, 2025

The 1960s ushered in a golden age for four-door luxury and performance sedans—cars that combined sleek styling, impressive power, and cutting-edge technology. From across the pond and right here in America, the decade’s sedans offered drivers a taste of high society without sacrificing performance. Whether hustling through city streets or cruising the open highway, these ten models showcase the era’s finest in engineering, comfort, and flair. Buckle up as we explore each of these iconic rides, roughly 100 words apiece, and discover what made them so cool in the swinging Sixties.

1. Jaguar MK2 (1959 to 1967)

1964 Jaguar Mkii 3 Point 8 Mod 30 1 — Photo Credit: Pinterest

Underneath its sensuous curves, the Mk2 packed a 3.8-liter straight-six engine producing 220 horsepower—more than enough to push the sedan to a top speed of around 125 mph. Its independent rear suspension and disc brakes on all four corners were virtually unheard of in a family-style sedan at the time.

Jaguar Mk2 Police — Photo Credit: Pinterest

Measuring 14 feet long and weighing about 3,200 pounds, the Mk2 combined a compact footprint with a spacious, wood-trimmed interior. Priced around £1,200 in 1960, it offered British refinement, performance, and handling that cemented its reputation among both executives and enthusiasts seeking a fast, elegant saloon.

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2. Lincoln Continental (1961)

Debuting in January 1961, Ford’s revamped Continental stunned audiences with its slab-sided profile and iconic “suicide” rear doors. Beneath the 216-inch body lay a 430-cubic-inch V8 cranking out 300 hp, propelling the car from 0-60 mph in about 10 seconds—a brisk time for a 4,500-pound luxury liner.

Ex Jackie Kennedy 1961 Lincoln Continental 100558503 — Photo Credit: Pinterest

Its 122-inch wheelbase delivered a serene, cushioned ride, while the minimalist dashboard and bucket seats embraced drivers in true Lincoln style. With a base MSRP of $5,900, the ’61 Continental represented high-end American luxury, famously serving as the presidential limo for John F. Kennedy until that tragic November day in 1963.

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3. Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 (1968-1972)

Weltpremiere Des Mercedes Benz 300 Sel 6.3 Im Jahr 1968: „eines Der Temperamentvollsten Und Schnellsten Serienfahrzeuge Auf Dem Weltmarkt — Photo Credit: Top Gear

When the 300 SEL 6.3 premiered at the 1968 Paris Motor Show, few expected a full-size sedan to boast a 6.3-liter V8 churning out 250 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Weighing nearly 4,500 pounds, its air-suspended chassis allowed a 0-60 mph sprint in just under 7 seconds—astonishing for a car of its size.

1969 Mercedes 300sel 6.3 Rear 1024x683.jpg — Photo Credit: Motorbiscuit

Inside, Nappa leather seats and burled walnut trim were standard, and climate control kept occupants comfortable at speeds over 130 mph (electronically limited). At roughly DM 32,000 (about $8,500 then), the 300 SEL 6.3 earned a cult following as the world’s fastest luxury sedan, inspiring later AMG performance models.

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4. Maserati Quattroporte (1963-1966)

01 Maseratiquattroportei 1963 — Photo Credit: Top Gear

“Quattroporte” literally means “four-door” in Italian, yet few sedans before or since delivered such a theatrical entrance. Its elongated hood housed a 4.1-liter V8 producing 260 hp, enabling a top speed of 140 mph—a staggering feat for a 4,000-pound luxury barchetta on wheels. With coachbuilt bodies by Vignale, only 776 Series I Quattroportes rolled off the line between 1963 and 1966.

Maserati 4798 Large.jpg — Photo Credit: Maserati

The sumptuous leather interiors, framed by silver-accented wood dashboards, catered to Europe’s elite. To this day, the first-generation Quattroporte remains a prized classic, blending racy Maserati DNA with four-door practicality.

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5. Cadillac Fleetwood 1968

1968 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special — Photo Credit: OCC

The 1968 Fleetwood epitomized late-Sixties American extravagance: a 225-inch overall length, a 131-inch wheelbase, and a curb weight of roughly 4,700 pounds. Its standard 472-cubic-inch V8 generated 375 hp, sending torque of 525 lb-ft to the pavement—enough thrust to overcome its sheer mass. The Fleetwood’s vinyl roof, piled wool carpeting, and full power package (windows, seats, steering) ensured chauffeurs barely broke a sweat.

66 1669753519763@2x — Photo Credit: Mecum

With prices starting around $7,200, it competed with Rolls-Royce in comfort and presence. Despite its size, the Fleetwood delivered surprisingly supple ride quality via its coil spring suspension and variable-rate shocks, cementing its status as a symbol of affluence and comfort.

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6. Chevrolet Impala 1962

The second-generation Impala introduced in 1961 received a refresh for 1962 that cemented its runaway success: crisp dual headlamps, a low-slung roofline, and triple taillights out back. Beneath the hood, buyers chose a 283-ci V8 (195 hp) up to the monstrous 409 ci “Z11” W-motor, a 425-hp powerhouse that propelled the Impala SS to 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds—staggering for a 3,500-pound family car.

1962 Chevrolet Impala — Photo Credit: GKM

Its unit-body construction and coil-spring rear suspension delivered relatively nimble handling. Priced from $2,550 to $3,000 depending on engine, the ’62 Impala mixed everyday ease with genuine muscle capability, making it an instant hit among hot-rod enthusiasts.

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7. Ford Galaxie 1966

1966 Ford Galaxie 500 4 Door Hardtop In Candyapple Red, Front Left, 06 10 2023 — Photo Credit: Wiki

The 1966 Galaxie marked the high point of Ford’s full-size lineup: sleek Coke-bottle contours, stacked dual headlights, and a prominent chrome grille. Under the hood, the optional 7.0-liter (427 ci) “Cammer” V8, in its racing-tuned form, produced 410 hp at 6,000 rpm, capable of rocketing the Galaxie to a quarter-mile in the low 14-second range.

Ad Assets 22534 012 Field Images Ds 22534 012 03 039 — Photo Credit: Pinterest

Standard models featured a 390-ci V8 that made 320 hp, still plenty for a family sedan weighing around 3,800 pounds. Priced from $2,500 to $3,500, the ’66 Galaxie balanced daily driver practicality with trim choices that included vinyl-top roofs, power windows, and even factory air conditioning.

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8. Dodge Coronet 440 1969

071617 1969 Dodge Coronet 440 1 — Photo Credit: Pinterest

Carrying on Dodge’s muscle-sedan legacy, the ’69 Coronet 440 blended style cues from the Charger and Polara lines: semi-fastback roof, racetrack taillights, and bold rally stripes for the R/T variant. Its bread-and-butter 383-ci V8 produced 290 hp, while the optional 440 ci V8 churned out 350 hp.

69 Dodge Coronet 440 (5886005773) — Photo Credit: Pinterest

With curb weight near 3,600 pounds, the Coronet 440 could run 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds, mind-blowing for a four-door. Base price hovered around $2,800, while fully loaded R/T models tiptoed toward $4,000.

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9. Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow 1965

P90166855 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow I London 1496px — Photo Credit: Pinterest

Breaking tradition, the 1965 Silver Shadow replaced the recognizable “Old English Roadster” silhouette with a modern, sleek design. Beneath its bonnet sat a 6.2-liter V8 producing 220 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque—propelling the 4,500-pound sedan from 0-60 mph in just under 10 seconds, unprecedented for a Rolls-Royce.

Sh1 Lrx8128 Front1 Rossfeldt Photo1991 100asa 185x125mm 600dpi 48rgbsf Ice 1200.jpg — Photo Credit: Pinterest

Its advanced at-the-time independent rear suspension and hydraulic self-levelling system delivered a ride Quality deemed “magic carpet-like” by contemporaries. With a wheelbase of 127 inches and offerings like Connolly leather and Wilton needle-cord carpets

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10. BMW 2000 tii 1966

Part of BMW’s New Class, the 2000 tii combined sporting character with four-door practicality. Its 2.0-liter M10 inline-four featured Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection, producing 130 hp at 5,800 rpm and 122 lb-ft of torque—enough to sprint from 0-60 mph in just over 9 seconds. Weighing a svelte 2,650 pounds, the 2000 tii could hit a top speed of 117 mph.

Handling impressed through coil springs all around, front independent suspension, and a limited-slip differential. Priced at about DM 11,500 (approximately $3,000), it offered European drivers an affordable, thrilling alternative to larger sedans, quickly earning its reputation as the ultimate driver’s sedan.

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