What Was the Coolest Car in 1964?

The Aston Martin DB5 edges out the field as the coolest car in 1964, largely because its star turn in the James Bond film Goldfinger that year transformed it from a luxury grand tourer into a global cultural icon; the just-launched Ford Mustang (1964½) runs a very close second for its mass-market, youthquake appeal. This verdict weighs cultural impact alongside design, performance, and historical legacy during a year that reshaped car culture.

Why 1964 Mattered for “Cool” Cars

Few years compressed as much automotive transformation into 12 months as 1964. It was the moment when film, fashion, and music collided with the car industry: Bond mania hit cinemas, the Baby Boom generation got the keys, and manufacturers raced to capture attention with new forms, new segments, and new power. The result was an unusually crowded field of vehicles that still define mid-century style and performance.

The Frontrunner: Aston Martin DB5

Introduced in 1963 and on sale through 1965, the Aston Martin DB5 became a sensation in 1964 thanks to Goldfinger’s September UK premiere (and December US release). The movie’s gadget-loaded DB5 gave the car an aura of effortless sophistication—stylish yet dangerous—that “cool” demands. Underneath the silver-screen sparkle sat real engineering cred: a hand-built straight-six, Italianate lines via Carrozzeria Touring’s Superleggera construction, and long-legged grand-touring performance. Exclusivity and craftsmanship sealed its mystique then—and now.

Key DB5 Facts

The following highlights explain why the DB5’s on-screen stardom aligned perfectly with its real-world substance in 1964.

• Era: Built 1963–1965; in the spotlight during 1964
• Engine: 4.0-liter inline-six, around 282 bhp in standard tune; up to roughly 314–325 bhp in Vantage specification
• Performance: About 0–60 mph in 7 seconds; top speed near 145 mph
• Construction: Aluminum body panels over a tubular frame (Touring’s Superleggera method)
• Pop culture: Featured in Goldfinger (1964) and later in Thunderball (1965), cementing its legend
• Rarity: Approximately 1,059 produced, contributing to its enduring desirability

Together, the DB5’s craftsmanship, performance, and cinematic aura created a feedback loop of desirability that made it the quintessential symbol of cool in 1964 and an enduring benchmark ever since.

The People’s Phenomenon: 1964½ Ford Mustang

Launched on April 17, 1964 at the New York World’s Fair, the Mustang democratized cool. With a starting price around $2,368 and a blizzard of options, it let buyers tailor style and speed—hardtop and convertible first, with the fastback following later that year for the 1965 model. America responded in kind: more than 400,000 Mustangs were sold in the first model year, creating the “pony car” segment and redefining youth-oriented design and marketing.

Mustang Highlights

These points show how the Mustang translated cool from exclusive to accessible without losing charisma.

• Debut moment: April 1964 world’s fair launch, an instant national event
• Price and volume: Affordable entry price and blockbuster sales (400,000+ in the first model year)
• Powertrain spread: From thrifty sixes to lively 260 and 289 V8s
• New segment: Sparked the “pony car” era—style, speed, and everyday usability
• Cultural reach: Saturated TV, magazines, and American streets almost overnight

While the DB5 embodied aspirational cool, the Mustang made cool attainable, turning 1964 into a watershed year for mainstream automotive culture.

Other Cars That Defined Cool in 1964

Beyond the headliners, several 1964 standouts shaped design, performance, and the zeitgeist, each offering a distinct flavor of cool.

• Ferrari 250 GTO (1962–1964): A homologation GT legend with dominant race pedigree and extreme rarity (around three dozen built), now among the world’s most valuable classics.
• Pontiac GTO (1964): The muscle-car template—389-cubic-inch V8, 325 hp standard, up to about 348 hp with Tri-Power—bringing brute force to Main Street.
• Porsche 911 (1964): The first production year of an icon; a 2.0-liter flat-six, crisp handling, and a design language that still resonates six decades later.
• Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2 (1964): The 4.2-liter update brought better torque and a smoother gearbox to Malcolm Sayer’s already breathtaking shape.
• Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray (1964): Racing-bred C2 chassis, sculpted bodywork, and small-block V8 punch underscored America’s sports-car credentials.
• Shelby Cobra 289 (1964): Anglo-American alchemy—lightweight chassis meets American V8—delivering raw, visceral performance.

Each of these cars captured a different constituency, from racing purists to boulevard cruisers, proving that in 1964 “cool” had many faces—and exhaust notes.

How This Was Judged

To weigh “cool” in 1964, it helps to separate hype from history. The following criteria balance immediate impact with long-term significance.

• Cultural impact: Visibility in film, media, and public imagination
• Design and aesthetics: Timeless styling and craftsmanship
• Performance and engineering: Power, handling, and technical innovation
• Accessibility: Whether the car shaped everyday car culture or remained a rarefied dream
• Enduring legacy: Collectability, influence on later cars, and ongoing relevance

By these measures, the DB5 claims the top spot for 1964 due to a unmatched cultural moment without sacrificing substance; the Mustang claims the mantle of mass-market cool; and purist darlings like the 250 GTO, E-Type, and 911 round out an extraordinary year.

Summary

In 1964, the Aston Martin DB5 was the coolest car—its Goldfinger breakout made it an instant and enduring icon. The 1964½ Ford Mustang stands as the people’s champion, democratizing cool with unprecedented sales and a new segment. From Ferrari’s 250 GTO to Jaguar’s E-Type and Porsche’s 911, the year produced a pantheon of legends—but none fused style, performance, and pop-culture impact more completely in 1964 than the DB5.

What was the best selling car in 1964?

• 1964: Ford Mustang.
• 1965: Chevy Impala.
• 1966: VW Camper Bus.
• 1967: Chevy Camaro.
• 1968: Chevy El Camino.
• 1969: Plymouth Roadrunner.
• 1970: Dodge Challenger.

What was the car of the year in 1964?

In 1964, Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award went to the entire Ford lineup, recognizing its combination of design, engineering excellence, and performance. In 1970, we gave the nod to the Ford Torino, which could be ordered in a wide variety of configurations.

What was the coolest car in the 60s?

The Greatest Cars of All Time: The Sixties

• 1960 Austin Mini.
• 1961 Jaguar XK-E.
• 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray.
• 1964 Pontiac GTO.
• 1965 Ford Mustang.
• 1966 Lamborghini Miura.
• 1968 BMW 2002.

What car came out in 1964?

Any year that brought us the Ford Mustang, Pontiac GTO, Porsche 911, and Sunbeam Tiger is sure to be a classic. Yet, 1964 offered even more variety and interest than even these performance icons, so let’s delve into this landmark year and see what else there is for classic car fans.