What was the new car in 1960?

There wasn’t a single “new car” in 1960—several important models debuted around the world that year. In the United States, the Chevrolet Corvair, Ford Falcon, Valiant (by Chrysler), and the Comet stood out; in Europe, cars like the Peugeot 404, Saab 96, Opel Rekord P2, and Ford Taunus 17M P3 arrived; in Asia, the Nissan Cedric, Mazda R360, Mitsubishi 500, and a new-generation Toyota Corona marked key launches. Below is a clear look at the most notable introductions and why 1960 was a turning point for compact, efficient, and globally minded car design.

Why 1960 mattered in the car world

Automakers entered 1960 confronting changing buyer priorities: fuel economy, practicality, and affordability were rising in importance, especially in the United States, where compact cars finally went mainstream. At the same time, global manufacturers pushed into export markets with modern engineering and fresh styling, signaling the start of a far more international car landscape.

United States: The year the compact car went mainstream

American brands unveiled a wave of smaller, more economical cars for 1960—each with a distinct strategy. The following models were among the most influential U.S.-market debuts.

• Chevrolet Corvair (1960): A radical compact with a rear-mounted, air-cooled flat-six (140 cu in/2.3L, about 80 hp at launch), unibody construction, and swing-axle rear suspension—Chevy’s unconventional answer to economy and space efficiency.
• Ford Falcon (1960): Conventional but hugely successful compact with a front-mounted 144 cu in (2.4L) inline-six and unibody design; it prioritized simplicity, price, and ease of use.
• Valiant by Chrysler (1960): Introduced as a standalone brand for 1960 (it would become Plymouth Valiant in 1961), featuring the new Slant Six (170 cu in/2.8L) and dramatic Exner styling.
• Comet (1960): Launched in spring 1960 and sold by Lincoln-Mercury dealers (branded simply “Comet” at first), this compact shared Falcon underpinnings but wore unique sheetmetal and had a longer wheelbase.

Together, these cars reset U.S. expectations for size, price, and efficiency, kicking off a compact-car era that reshaped Detroit’s product planning throughout the 1960s.

Europe: Design finesse and practical innovation

European manufacturers in 1960 blended modern styling with pragmatic engineering, expanding models that would become regional staples and export successes.

• Peugeot 404 (1960): A Pininfarina-styled family car launched with 1.6L power, praised for durability and comfort; it became a global workhorse far beyond France.
• Saab 96 (1960): Successor to the 93, initially with a 750cc three-cylinder two-stroke; aerodynamic, sturdy, and rally-capable, it later became iconic when fitted with Ford’s V4 (from 1967).
• Opel Rekord P2 (1960): More restrained evolution of Opel’s panoramic-windshield Rekord, offering reliable family transport with improved space and refinements.
• Ford Taunus 17M P3 (1960): The “Badewanne” (“bathtub”) Taunus brought distinctive styling and a focus on practical motoring for West Germany and beyond.

These introductions strengthened Europe’s reputation for balanced, long-lived family cars—vehicles that could handle urban streets and long-distance touring with equal poise.

Japan and broader Asia: Firsts and forward leaps

Japanese automakers took significant steps in 1960, launching models that would become cornerstones in domestic motoring and early exports. Several debuts were genuine firsts for their manufacturers.

• Nissan Cedric (30 series, 1960): A new mid-size sedan aimed at comfort and status, marking Nissan’s push upmarket at home and in select export markets.
• Mazda R360 (1960): Mazda’s first passenger car—a kei-class, rear-engined micro-coupe with a 356cc V-twin—kickstarted the brand’s automotive future.
• Mitsubishi 500 (1960): Mitsubishi’s first postwar mass-market passenger car, a compact with an air-cooled two-cylinder engine that set the stage for later successes.
• Toyota Corona (T20, 1960): The second generation of Toyota’s compact sedan line, aiming for improved comfort and export readiness, especially for markets like Southeast Asia.

These cars signaled Japan’s accelerating shift from licensed production and microcars toward competitive, homegrown sedans designed for global relevance.

Other notable 1960 launches around the world

Outside the traditional U.S.-Europe-Japan axis, 1960 also brought important national milestones that helped motorize entire regions.

• ZAZ-965 Zaporozhets (USSR, 1960): An affordable, rear-engined, air-cooled V4 city car designed for rough roads—Soviet motoring in approachable form.
• Holden FB (Australia, 1960): A major update to Australia’s best-selling car line, introducing broader styling changes and improved corrosion resistance with new paint processes.

These models anchored local industries and broadened access to mobility, demonstrating how 1960 was a pivotal year even beyond the biggest export markets.

What people were buying—and why

Buyers in 1960 gravitated toward cars that offered value, manageable size, and lower running costs, without abandoning comfort or style. Features and trends reflected these priorities.

• Compact dimensions with family-friendly interiors
• Unibody construction for lighter weight and better space efficiency
• Economical engines, often under 2.0 liters in Europe and Asia; small sixes in the U.S.
• Distinct styling cues, from the Corvair’s rear engine layout to Peugeot’s Italian-designed lines

These choices helped manufacturers meet shifting consumer tastes while preparing for an increasingly competitive, globalized market.

Bottom line

Asking “What was the new car in 1960?” has no single answer. The year stands out for a wave of pivotal debuts: in America, the Corvair, Falcon, Valiant, and Comet defined a compact era; in Europe, Peugeot’s 404, Saab’s 96, and Opel’s Rekord P2 set durable standards; in Asia, the Cedric, R360, Mitsubishi 500, and new Corona mapped the future. Together, they reshaped expectations for size, efficiency, and design—and set the tone for the decade.

Summary

There was no lone “new car” in 1960. Instead, it was a landmark model year across markets: the U.S. embraced compacts (Chevrolet Corvair, Ford Falcon, Valiant, Comet); Europe refined practical family cars (Peugeot 404, Saab 96, Opel Rekord P2, Ford Taunus 17M P3); and Japan delivered breakthrough firsts (Nissan Cedric, Mazda R360, Mitsubishi 500) alongside a new Toyota Corona. These launches collectively marked a shift toward efficient, globally attuned automobiles.

What was the popular car in 1960?

Spotlight: Popular Cars of the Sixties

	Motor Trend’s Car of the Year	Reader’s Digest Most Popular Car of the Year
1960	Chevrolet Corvair	Rambler Ambassador
1961	Pontiac Tempest	Jaguar E-Type
1962	Buick Special	Lincoln Continental
1963	American Motors Rambler	Buick Riviera

What car debuted in 1960?

Cars in 1960
New models included the Ford Falcon, the Chevrolet Corvair and the Plymouth Valiant. Soon after, Lincoln-Mercury released the Comet and Dodge introduced the Dart.

What was the most sold car in 1961?

The most popular car in 1961 depends on the criteria, but the Chevrolet Impala was a strong performer in terms of sales for General Motors and marked a year of innovation with the introduction of the SS performance package. For American drivers, the affordable and economical Rambler American was also a popular choice, with strong sales for its compact design. On the international stage, the groundbreaking Jaguar E-Type was introduced, becoming a style icon and the “Most Popular Car of the Year” according to Reader’s Digest Library.
 
Sales & Popularity in the U.S.

• Chevrolet Impala: Chevrolet was a big winner in sales for GM in 1961, with the Impala being a standout model. The introduction of the SS package added a performance edge to the model. 
• Rambler American: With a focus on affordability and fuel economy, this compact car achieved strong sales, selling around 136,000 units, making it a popular choice for many American families. 

Iconic Introductions

• Jaguar E-Type: Celebrated for its iconic design and impressive speed (reportedly 150 mph), the E-Type was a major event in the automotive world, recognized by Reader’s Digest as its “Most Popular Car of the Year”. 
• Ford Thunderbird: Ford also introduced a new model in the form of the Thunderbird in 1961. 

What was the price of a brand new car in 1960?

In 1960, the average price of a new car was around $2,600 to $2,853, though prices varied significantly by model, with some sources citing averages of around $2,600 and others around $2,853. A new car was a significant purchase at the time, with the average family income being approximately $5,620 that year. 
Here’s a breakdown of car costs in 1960:

• Average Cost: The average price for a new car in 1960 was about $2,600 to $2,853. 
• Median Family Income: The median household income in 1960 was around $5,620. 
• Percentage of Income: This means a new car represented approximately 50.8% of a household’s annual income, or about 26.4 weeks of earnings, to buy. 
• Model Examples: A new Volkswagen Beetle was around $14,000 in modern dollars, while some higher-end models like a Cadillac Executive could cost over $4,800. 

It’s important to note that these are averages, and actual prices depended on the make, model, and options included.