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20 Classic Cars That Defined the '60s and '70s

Many of these models are worth a small fortune today.

The 1960s and 1970s gave us some of the most beloved and well-made cars in history. This was the age of Carroll Shelby and Lee Iacocca, who designed and built legendary vehicles that are worth a small fortune today. "I've always been asked, 'What's your favorite car?' and I've always said, 'The next one,'" Shelby once quipped. Here are 20 classic cars that defined the 60s and 70s.

1
1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8 Roadster

1960s beautiful design car. Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust
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1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8 Roadster is a beautiful classic car that is still sought after today. One sold for $467,500 at auction in 2020​.

2
1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88

GRANBY QUEBEC CANADA 07 30 23: Chevrolet Corvette 1966 is the second generation of the Corvette sports car, produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors (GM) for the 1963 through 1967 model
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One of the rarest sports cars of all time, the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 is worth a small fortune. One sold for $3,850,000 at auction in 2014.

3
1965 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster

JACKSONVILLE, FL, USA, August 14, 2013: Photo of a genuine 1965 427 Shelby AC Cobra which was recently transported back to the United States after being in Europe for several years.
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The 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster is one of the most special muscle cars in history. Carroll Shelby's own personal Cobra Roadster sold for an eye-watering $5.4 million at auction in 2021.

4
1968 Ford Mustang GT "Bullitt"

Washington DC, USA - April 17, 2018: '68 Ford Mustang GT fastback Bullitt sports car on the Washington Mall. Shown as a part of the 2018 Cars at the Capitol HVA exhibit.
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Synonymous with Steve McQueen, a 1968 Ford Mustang GT "Bullitt" sold for $3,740,000 at auction in 2020. This makes the car, driven by the actor, the most valuable Mustang in the world.

5
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO

Big Sur, CA 93920 USA Aug-18-2022: 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Scaglietti Berlinetta Series II. Pebble Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance Route 1
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The stunning 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO is valuable for good reason. One that raced at Le Mans sold for a record-breaking $51.7 million in 2023.

6
1969 Dodge Charger Daytona

PLYMOUTH, MI/USA - JULY 28, 2019: Closeup of a 1969 Dodge Daytona Charger 426 Hemi wing on display at the Concours d'Elegance of America car show at The Inn at St. John's.
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The 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona is a stunning 60s classic car. If you want one for yourself, prepare to part with at least half a million dollars.

7
1966 Ferrari 275 GTB

MODENA, ITALY - JULY 23, 2012: Museum Enzo Ferrari Modena. Red Ferrari 275 GTB 4 1966 with Ferrari horse, symbol of Ferrari on hood
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A 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB sold for 7,595,000 at auction in 2022. "The 275 GTB/C was notably the last racing GT model built by Ferrari's competition department, and two examples went on to take GT class wins at Le Mans in 1966 and 1967, earning Maranello three consecutive class wins at La Sarthe," says Sothebys.

8
1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

Paris, France - February 4th 2020 : Rétromobile 2020. Focus on a red 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. Chassis no. DB4GT 0178 L.
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A 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato sold for $2,755,000 at auction in 2021. It is one of just four Sanction II DB4GT Zagatos ever made.

9
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

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The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport was designed to compete with European motors. It's still one of the most well-known classic American race cars.

10
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 N.A.R.T Spider

Highlands, NC - June 11, 2022: Low perspective front view of a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB4 Coupe at a local car show.

The 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S N.A.R.T. Spider by Scaglietti in one of only 10 N.A.R.T. Spiders ever built. It sold at auction for $27,500,000 in 2013.

11
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6

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The beautiful 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 is a classic 70s muscle car. They sell for an average of $105,440 today.

12
1970 Plymouth Superbird

The 1970 Plymouth Superbird was developed for NASCAR. One sold for $1,650,000 at auction in 2022.

13
1970 Dodge Charger R/T

Prague, Czech Republic, August 22, 2019: Dodge Charger R T 1970

Known these days as the car driven by Dom Toretto in the Fast franchise, the 1970 Dodge Charger R/T is one of the most recognizable 70s muscle cars. Expect to pay $59,999 for one today.

14
1970 Shelby GT500 428 Cobra Jet

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Another one of Caroll Shelby's stunning creations, the 1970 Shelby GT500 428 Cobra Jet is the ultimate 70s car. One will set you back between 125,000 – $175,000 at auction.

15
1970 Plymouth Road Runner

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 8: A 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird restoration on display at the Detroit AutoRama, on March 8, 2013, in Detroit, Michigan.
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The design of the Road Runner was based on the famous cartoon. A 1970 Plymouth Road Runner sold for $1,650,000.00 at auction in 2022.

16
1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

GRANBY QUEBEC CANADA 07 30 23: The second-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 1970 is an American pony car that was produced by Chevrolet from 1970 through the 1981 model years.
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The Chevy Camaro is a typical classic 70s car. One sold for $45,000 at auction in 2022.

17
1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda

KYIV, UKRAINE - OCTOBER 05, 2019: Vintage american car Plymouth Cuda 1971 on Old Car Land Festival 2019 in State Aviation Museum in Kiev
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The 1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda is a very rare 1970s muscle car. One sold for $3.5 million at auction in 2014.

18
1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS
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A gorgeous, fun-looking car, the 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS is a classic 70s car. One sold for $1,875,000 at auction in 2023.

19
1977 Lamborghini Countach LP400

Frankston, Victoria, Australia - April 3rd 2022: The Motorists Concours d'Elegance at Pt. Leo Estate featuring 1977 Lamborghini Countach LP400
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A 1977 Lamborghini Countach LP400 sold for 989,375 EUR in 2023. It was previously owned by singer Rod Stewart, who kept it for 25 years.

20
1979 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil, January, 26, 2023, 1979 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60
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We can't leave the Toyota Land Cruiser out of this list. According to Classic.com, the average value of a 1979 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 is $39,548.

 

Ferozan Mast
Ferozan Mast is a science, health and wellness writer with a passion for making science and research-backed information accessible to a general audience. Read more