The decade of the 1960s gave us some of the most significant moments in American history.

It would be an understatement to say the same of the vehicles produced during the decade. The cars were unquestionably significant.

The 1960s gave us what are likely the best bang-for-your-buck performance vehicles in history. In 1960, the average new car cost $2,752. Pump gas cost about 31 cents per gallon.

To each his or her own, of course, but one might say each year got better than the next. Each year produced a steady diet of all-time classics, and that’s not counting the gorgeous imports from Europe and Japan.

a balck 1966 oldsmobile cutlass 442 parked at a car show with its hood open
(Image/OnAllCylinders)

In the ‘60s, people were getting weirder, the music was getting louder, the parties were getting wilder, and at the center of all of it was the automobile—from the Volkswagen Bus and Beetle to the AMC Rambler and Olds 442.

The ’60s gave us the “split-window” Corvette, Ford Mustang, Pontiac GTO, Hemi ‘Cuda, Chevy Camaro, Dodge Charger, Jaguar E-Type, Porsche 911, Toyota 2000GT—it’s difficult to wrap one’s head around. (And we only left a few kajillion gems off the list.)

rear view of 1963 split window corvette sting ray
(Image/Summit Racing – Jason Liss)

For many classic car—and certainly all American muscle car—fans, the 1960s are unrivaled in terms of the sheer number of iconic collector vehicles produced throughout the decade.

New-car sales records were broken in 1968, and again in 1969. The year 1969 is considered by many to be the greatest single automotive year in history, and you have to go off-script to argue against it.

Ford Mustang bullitt 1968 highland green
From music, to cars, to movies—the 1960s had a lot to offer. (Image/OnAllCylinders)

The 1960s gave us the advent of American muscle, and likely introduced us to more beloved vehicles than any other single decade in history. But there are many, many, many things to consider beyond simply looking awesome and going fast for the least amount of money possible when determining which automotive decade is actually the best.

But you’ve got to admit—looking awesome and going fast aren’t such bad metrics to go on.

That’s why the 1960s form the Best Decade in Automotive History. Don’t you agree?

1966 honda s600 sports car, front driver side
Honda introduced its first sports car too! (Image/OnAllCylinders)