The 1990s were unlike any other decade in automotive history. This decade blended optimism, style, engineering ambition, and a new generation's appetite for mobility. When people today ask, "what were the best-selling cars in 196?" or reminisce over the bestselling cars in the 1960s, their curiosity isn't limited to numbers—they're exploring the icons that shaped global car culture. Many became legends, influencing everything from motorsport to modern car design. Here, we take a careful look back at the most popular '60s cars, basing our picks on US and global market performance, as well as on design, significance, and the legacy they left on the automotive world.

1. Volkswagen Beetle – The People’s Car That Conquered the World

The Volkswagen Beetle wasn’t just one of the best-selling cars in the 1960s—it dominated the entire decade. Designed by Ferdinand Porsche decades earlier and refined over time, the Beetle became a symbol of simple, honest engineering that appealed to millions.

• Global Appeal: Affordable, easy to maintain, and surprisingly durable.
• 1960s Milestone: By 1965, VW was selling more than a million Beetles per year.
• Why Enthusiasts Love It: The air-cooled flat-four engine, quirky styling, and unmatched charm.

Even today, when enthusiasts discuss popular '60s cars, the Beetle easily tops the list because it combined reliability with universal cultural appeal. You could find one on American freeways, German villages, African towns, and South American cities—all with the same unmistakable silhouette.

2. Ford Mustang – The Birth of the Pony Car

No car captures the spirit of the 1960s like the Ford Mustang. It didn’t just sell well—it became a movement. Debuting in 1964½, the Mustang redefined what young Americans wanted: style, power, and a price they could afford.

• Sales Explosion: Over 418,000 units sold in the first year alone.
• Cultural Impact: Inspired rivals like the Camaro, Firebird, Challenger, and Javelin.
• Why It Matters: It created an entirely new market segment—the “pony car.”

While the Mustang wasn’t the single best-seller of the decade, it was unquestionably one of the most influential and remains one of the most popular '60s cars among collectors. Today, when people ask interest-driven questions such as what were the best-selling cars in 1960, the Mustang often comes up—even though it hadn’t launched yet—simply because it dominates the conversation about 1960s automotive culture.

3. Chevrolet Impala – America’s Full-Size Favorite

In terms of raw U.S. sales volume, the Chevrolet Impala was a big fish. For several years in the decade, it was the best-selling car in America, period. The 1965 Impala alone sold over a million units, a record that still stands.

• Why It Sold Big: Big V8 engines, smooth ride, family-friendly space, and upscale styling.
• 1960s Role: A quintessential full-size American cruiser.
• Enthusiast Legacy: Today it’s a favorite in classic car restoration, lowrider culture, and V8 nostalgia communities.

For American buyers in the early 1960s, before the Mustang revolution, the Impala answered the question, “what were the best-selling cars in 1960?” with authority. It blended power and practicality like few cars before it.

4. Ford Falcon – The Practical Hero of Early ’60s America

Before the Mustang stole its platform, the Ford Falcon was Ford’s sales hero. The Falcon answered a growing demand for economy, simplicity, and reliability—qualities that weren’t always associated with American cars at the time.

• 1960 Success: One of the top sellers in America that year.
• Engineering: Lightweight unibody construction and frugal six-cylinder engines.
• Why It Was Popular: It was affordable and economical without feeling stripped down.

Anyone researching what were the best-selling cars in 1960 will find the Falcon near the top of U.S. charts. It represented a turning point in Detroit’s attitude toward economy-focused buyers.

5. Mini (Austin/Morris Mini) – The British Icon That Redefined Small Cars

Across the Atlantic, the Mini was rewriting the rules of car design. Introduced in 1959, the Mini exploded in popularity throughout the 1960s and became one of the best-selling cars in the 1960s in Europe.

• Design Genius: Transverse engine + front-wheel drive = maximum space efficiency.
• Motorsport Legend: Won the Monte Carlo Rally multiple times.
• Pop Culture: Associated with fashion icons, musicians, and the Mod movement.

The Mini is arguably the most influential small car ever built. In terms of global recognition and engineering innovation, it easily ranks among the top popular '60s cars.

6. Chevrolet Corvette (C2) – America’s Sports Car Finds Its Edge

While never the top seller in volume, the second-generation Corvette (1963–1967) was one of the most important performance cars of the decade. Sales weren’t massive compared to mainstream sedans, but the Corvette became a symbol of engineering ambition and American performance.

• 1963 Split-Window Coupe: One of the most collectible Corvettes ever.
• Big-Block Power: The later 427 engines were monumental.
• Motorsport Success: Proved that America could produce world-class sports cars.

When people debate popular '60s cars, the C2 Corvette always appears—not because it was a sales king, but because it was an icon of style and speed.

7. Fiat 500 – Italy’s Answer to Mass Mobility

Like the Beetle and Mini, the Fiat 500 (Cinquecento) represented the democratization of personal transportation. Italy needed a car for the masses, and the 500 delivered in a compact, affordable, and irresistibly stylish package.

• Mass Appeal: Millions sold through the late ’50s and ’60s.
• Engineering: Rear-mounted two-cylinder engine; tiny footprint ideal for Italy’s cities.
• Legacy: A cultural symbol revived successfully in the 2000s.

Among European markets, the 500 was consistently one of the best-selling cars in the 1960s, a pillar of the decade’s automotive identity.

8. Peugeot 404 – The Unsung Global Workhorse

While not as flashy as a Mustang or Beetle, the Peugeot 404 was a worldwide bestseller, especially across Africa, South America, and parts of Asia—regions where durability mattered more than speed.

• Engineered to Survive: Robust suspension, simple engines, and solid construction.
• Longevity: Many 404 taxis ran for decades, especially in West Africa.
• 1960s Strength: Strong sales through Europe and developing markets.

Collectors often overlook the Peugeot 404, but historians recognize it as one of the popular '60s cars globally, thanks to its utility and long-lasting nature.

9. Datsun 510 – Japan Steps Onto the Global Stage

Nissan (then Datsun) was establishing itself as a global brand by the late 1960s, and the 510 became its breakout hit.

• Engineering Edge: Independent rear suspension (rare for the class), lightweight chassis, and rev-happy engines.
• Sales Success: Excellent performance in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
• Motorsport: A giant-killer in rally racing and SCCA events.

The Datsun 510 helped establish Japanese cars as credible alternatives to American and European models. That makes it one of the decade’s most influential sellers.

10. Toyota Corolla (First Generation) – The Start of a Legend

Launched in 1966, the Toyota Corolla didn’t dominate the decade immediately, but it set the foundation to become the best-selling car nameplate in history. Its late-’60s sales were strong enough to begin Toyota’s global expansion.

• Why It Sold: Dependability, low running costs, and understated design.
• 1960s Significance: A sign of Japan’s rising automotive power.
• Long-Term Impact: More than 50 million Corollas have been sold to date.

Even though it entered the decade late, the early Corolla is always part of conversations about best selling cars in the 1960s, because it marked the beginning of a global automotive dynasty.

What the 1960s Best Sellers Teach Us Today

Looking back at the best-selling cars in the 1960s, one theme stands out: the world was becoming more mobile, more connected, and more design-conscious. Back then, cars were moving from luxury items to everyday necessities. From the Beetle’s global dominance and the Mustang’s cultural explosion to the Mini’s engineering revolution and the Impala’s American reign, the most popular '60s cars didn’t just sell well—they became symbols of freedom, progress, and identity.