The American automobile market in the 1960s saw the invasion small, lower-priced foreign cars. In response, the American automobile manufacturers also began to produce smaller cars. At the same time, the Big Three American car makers engaged in a race for more horsepower.
By 1969, imports made up a little more than 11% of the new car sales in the United States.
The LeMay Family Collections, on the historic grounds of the former Marymount Military Academy in Tacoma, Washington, includes a number of vehicles from the 1960s.
1960 Fiat Abarth Zagato
This car sold new for $3,460 and a total of 600 were produced. It has an inline 4-cylinder, 750 cc, 47 horsepower engine. It has a top speed of 96 mph and could do 0-60 mph in 17.3 seconds.
1960 Goliath 1100 2-Door Sedan
This German car was sold as Hansa 1100 in Europe. It has an H-4, 1093 cc, 50 horsepower engine.
1961 Nash Metropolitan 1500
This car, built in England by Austin, sold new for $1,445. It has an inline 4-cylinder, 1489 cc, 55 horsepower engine.
1962 Gaz 69M Military Utility Vehicle
This was the Soviet equivalent of the Jeep and was widely used by Iron Curtain militaries. It has an inline 4-cylinder, 148 cubic inch, 72 horsepower engine.
1963 Austin Countryman 850
This car sold new for $1,671. It has an inline 4-cylinder, 52 cubic inch, 37 horsepower engine with a 4-speed manual transmission. It has a top speed of 70 mph.
1964 Studebaker Wagonaire
This car sold for $2,600 and a total of 5,164 were built. It features a unique retracting roof over the cargo area. It has a V8, 259 cubic inch, 180 horsepower engine.
1965 Ford Econoline
1966 Citroen 2 CV 4-Door Sedan
This car has a 2-cylinder, 602 cc, 25 horsepower engine.
1967 Volkswagen Beetle 2-Door Sedan
This car sold new for $1,699 and was the best-selling import of the 1960s. It has a 4-cylinder, 1300 cc, 53 horsepower air-cooled engine and a 4-speed manual transmission.
1969 Volkswagen Cabriolet
This car sold new for $2,209. It has an opposing 4-cylinder, 1493 cc, 53 horsepower engine.
1969 King Midget Model III
This car sold new for $1,069 and an estimated 248 were built in 1969. It has a 1-cylinder, 23 cubic inch, 12 horsepower engine.
More automobiles
WAAAM: Automobiles of the 1960s (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: GM Muscle Cars (Photo Diary)
America's Car Museum: Some cars from the 1960s (photo diary)
Museums 201: Plymouth automobiles of the 1960s and 1970s (photo diary)
Museums 201: Chrysler automobiles of the 1960s (photo diary)
Thunder Dome Car Museum: Some cars from the 1960s (photo diary)
Car Show: 1961-1964 Automobiles (Photo Diary)
Car Show: 1965-1969 Automobiles (Photo Diary)