Who Were the American Car Manufacturers in the 1960s?

The dominant American car manufacturers in the 1960s were General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler Corporation, with American Motors Corporation (AMC) and Studebaker as the chief independents; niche and specialty makers such as Kaiser Jeep, International Harvester, Checker, Shelby American, and Avanti Motor Corporation also contributed to the era. This article outlines the major corporate makers and their key marques, notes the independents and specialty producers active during the decade, and clarifies brands that disappeared or transitioned in that period.

The Big Three and Their Major Marques

The vast majority of U.S. passenger cars sold and built in the 1960s came from Detroit’s Big Three conglomerates. Each operated multiple marques aimed at different price points and buyer segments, shaping everything from family sedans to muscle cars.

• General Motors (GM) — The decade’s largest automaker, with major marques including Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac. Key 1960s models and milestones included the rear-engine Chevrolet Corvair (1960), the second-generation Chevrolet Corvette (1963), Pontiac GTO (1964), Chevrolet Camaro (1967), and widespread V8 performance across divisions.
• Ford Motor Company — Producer of Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln vehicles. Standout 1960s contributions included the Ford Mustang (launched spring 1964), Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar (1967), and sustained growth in personal-luxury and performance segments.
• Chrysler Corporation — Maker of Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler, and Imperial. The DeSoto marque was discontinued after the 1961 model year. Signature 1960s entries included the Plymouth Valiant (1960), Dodge Charger (1966), Plymouth Barracuda (1964), and Imperial’s luxury flagships.

Together, these three conglomerates defined the mainstream market, controlling most production, dealership networks, and engineering resources, and setting the pace for styling trends and performance arms races throughout the decade.

Independent Full-Line Manufacturers

Outside the Big Three, a small number of independents maintained full passenger-car ranges for at least part of the decade, often competing on value, compact dimensions, or distinctive styling and engineering.

• American Motors Corporation (AMC) — Formed from the 1954 Nash-Hudson merger, AMC sold Rambler-branded cars through the early and mid-1960s (Rambler American, Classic, Ambassador), then shifted to the AMC brand by late decade in the U.S. Highlights included the compact Rambler American, the sporty Javelin (1968), and the two-seat AMX (1968). AMC would acquire Jeep in 1970, just after the decade closed.
• Studebaker Corporation — Continued U.S. car production through December 1963 in South Bend, then maintained lower-volume assembly in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada until March 1966. Notable 1960s models included the Lark compact, Gran Turismo Hawk, and the fiberglass-bodied Avanti (introduced 1962). Studebaker ceased auto production entirely in 1966.

By the end of the decade, AMC had survived as the sole independent full-line American carmaker, while Studebaker had exited the industry.

Truck, Off-Road, Taxi, and Specialty Makers Active in the 1960s

Several U.S.-based companies built vehicles Americans drove in the 1960s, even if they weren’t full-line passenger-car manufacturers. Their output included utility vehicles, taxis, and low-volume specialty or performance cars that influenced culture and motorsport.

• Kaiser Jeep Corporation — Formerly Willys Motors, renamed in 1963; produced the Jeep CJ, the pioneering Wagoneer (1963), and Gladiator pickups. Although focused on utility vehicles, Jeep’s civilian line became a significant slice of American motoring in the decade.
• International Harvester — A major commercial-vehicle maker that also sold consumer-oriented light trucks and SUVs, notably the Scout (launched 1961) and the Travelall. While not a carmaker per se, IH occupied a similar space in the growing recreational and utility market.
• Checker Motors — Built purpose-designed taxi cabs, most famously the Checker Marathon (1961–1982), out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Checkers were iconic urban vehicles, especially in New York City.
• Shelby American — A limited-production manufacturer and racing constructor led by Carroll Shelby. It built the Shelby Cobra (1962–1967) and high-performance Shelby Mustangs (GT350/GT500) in partnership with Ford, giving the decade some of its most storied performance cars.
• Avanti Motor Corporation — Founded to revive Studebaker’s Avanti after Studebaker ended U.S. production; it produced the Avanti II starting in 1965, continuing the fiberglass grand tourer in small volumes.
• Excalibur Automobile Corporation — Began in 1965 with neo-classic roadsters using GM powertrains, contributing to the era’s specialty-car niche.

These companies did not rival the Big Three in volume, but they broadened the market with off-road capability, fleet-focused durability, and charismatic low-volume performance cars.

Brands That Disappeared or Transitioned Around the 1960s

Some familiar American names of the 1950s changed status during the 1960s, affecting who is counted as a manufacturer in this era.

• DeSoto — A Chrysler division discontinued after the 1961 model year.
• Rambler — A make used by AMC in the early-to-mid 1960s; AMC branding largely replaced Rambler in the U.S. by 1969, though Rambler persisted in some export markets.
• Packard — The Packard brand ended in 1958, before the 1960s. The corporate entity that once included Packard was restructured; no Packard-branded cars were sold in the 1960s.
• Kaiser-Frazer, Nash, Hudson — These 1950s marques ceased earlier; their legacies continued via AMC (Nash/Hudson) and Jeep under Kaiser (later sold to AMC in 1970).

These transitions explain why some storied pre-1960 brands either disappear from sales charts or appear only as corporate legacies during the decade.

How to interpret “manufacturer” versus “marque”

In the 1960s, many American “makes” (Chevrolet, Pontiac, Plymouth, etc.) were marques owned by larger manufacturers (GM, Ford, Chrysler). Historians typically cite the corporate manufacturers when listing who built American cars, while also acknowledging the consumer-facing marques that defined showroom identity. Both views are valid: the manufacturers were GM, Ford, Chrysler, AMC, Studebaker (and smaller specialty firms), while the marques were the names most buyers recognized on grilles and trunklids.

Summary

American carmaking in the 1960s was led by the Big Three—GM, Ford, and Chrysler—supported by AMC and, until 1966, Studebaker. Around them, Jeep (under Kaiser), International Harvester, Checker, and specialty builders like Shelby, Avanti, and Excalibur rounded out the landscape. Together, these companies created the decade’s signature mix of family cars, muscle machines, taxis, and early SUVs that defined American roads in the 1960s.

What were the big four car companies in the 1950s?

Twenty-four years more, and we find in 1955 just five companies making cars — or at least accounting for 99.7 percent of all cars — General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, American Motors (Nash-Hudson), and Studebaker-Packard.

Who were the car manufacturers in the 1960s?

The four major U.S. automakers General Motors (4.6 million cars), Ford (2.1 million), Chrysler (1.5 million), and the American Motors Corporation (0.26 million) grossed nearly $47 billion that year compared with $21.4 billion in 1961.

What car company no longer exists?

Many well-known car companies have gone out of business, including General Motors’ divisions like Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn, and Hummer, as well as independent brands like Mercury, Plymouth, American Motors (AMC), Studebaker, and Saab. Other examples include the luxury brand Packard, the distinctive DeLorean, and even historical figures like Duesenberg and Tucker. 
Recently Discontinued (Last 25 Years) 

• Pontiac: Opens in new tabA General Motors brand known for its performance cars, discontinued in 2010. 
• Oldsmobile: Opens in new tabAnother GM division, it was a long-standing brand that faced declining sales and was discontinued in 2004. 
• Mercury: Opens in new tabA Ford Motor Company brand that closed in 2010 after failing to generate enough sales. 
• Saturn: Opens in new tabCreated by GM to reach new customers, it was shut down during the 2008 financial crisis. 
• Hummer: Opens in new tabOriginally a civilian version of a military vehicle, this brand also closed after the GM bankruptcy in 2010. 
• Plymouth: Opens in new tabA long-time Chrysler brand that ceased production in 2001. 
• Saab: Opens in new tabThe Swedish carmaker faced financial difficulties and went out of business around 2012. 
• Scion: Opens in new tabAnother Toyota experiment to capture a younger audience, its line was absorbed back into the Toyota brand by 2016. 

Historical Examples

• Studebaker: An iconic American brand with a long history, it went out of business in the mid-1960s. 
• American Motors Corporation (AMC): Formed from a merger of Nash and Hudson, AMC was later absorbed by Chrysler and sold its Jeep division. 
• Packard: A luxury car brand known for its high-quality vehicles, it was absorbed by Studebaker and eventually folded in 1956. 
• Duesenberg: A high-end luxury and performance brand from the early 20th century. 
• DeLorean: Famous for its “Back to the Future” appearance, this innovative sports car manufacturer lasted only a few years in the early 1980s. 
• Tucker: Preston Tucker’s innovative and visionary sedan was a short-lived venture in the late 1940s. 

What are the old American car brands?

Old American car brands include both currently existing ones like Ford, Cadillac, and Chevrolet, which have been around for over a century, and defunct brands such as Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Studebaker, and Duesenberg. Other historical brands are Buick and Packard, while some smaller or more niche examples include Nash, Hudson, and Studebaker. 
Here’s a breakdown of some of these brands:
Major, Long-Standing Brands

• Ford Motor Company: Founded in 1903, known for the revolutionary Model T. 
• General Motors (GM): A holding company that owns several old brands like Buick, Cadillac, and Chevrolet. 
• Chrysler Corporation: The third of the “Big Three” American automakers. 

Well-Known Brands That No Longer Exist 

• Oldsmobile: . Opens in new tabThe oldest American car brand when it closed in 2004, founded in 1897 and later part of GM. 
• Pontiac: . Opens in new tabA defunct brand that was part of General Motors. 
• Dodge: . Opens in new tabA brand that began in 1900 and is still in use today, making it one of the older brands that remains in operation. 
• Studebaker: . Opens in new tabAn American icon, the company’s origins stretch back to the 19th century before it shifted to automobiles. 
• Packard: . Opens in new tabKnown for luxury vehicles, Packard was a significant manufacturer in its time before being absorbed into Studebaker. 

Other Notable Historical Brands

• Duesenberg: An era-defining luxury brand known for its high-performance vehicles. 
• Nash / Hudson: These independent brands merged to form American Motors Corporation (AMC) before eventually being absorbed. 
• Cord: A stylish, innovative brand from the 1930s, notable for its advanced front-wheel drive designs.