Stars of 1966
Looking back at cars which were launched or unveiled in 1966 doesn’t just give us an opportunity to reflect on their 60th anniversaries, but also to marvel at how game-changing many of them were.
As we’re going to discover, it was a pretty incredible year for new cars.
Therefore, in tribute, please enjoy our selection of 25 cars that were fresh to market six decades ago, presented in alphabetical order.
1. Alfa Romeo Spider
Built on a shortened version of the Giulia saloon’s chassis, Alfa Romeo’s Spider was initially nicknamed ‘Duetto’ and was much praised for Pininfarina’s boat-tail design.
Perhaps best known for its appearance in the 1967 film The Graduate, the Alfa Spider was powered by a 1570cc, twin-cam ‘four’, mated to a standard five-speed gearbox.
Various restyles and power upgrades led to a long production life, with the last Spiders produced in 1993.
2. Alvis TF21
Only produced from 1966-’67, the TF21 was the last passenger-car model to be built by Alvis.
Just 106 units were built, 100 of which wore Mulliner Park Ward bodies (20 of which were convertibles), and six were delivered with bodies by Graber.
The TF21’s 3-litre straight-six produced 150bhp and powered the car to a maximum speed of 120mph.
3. Audi 80 (F103)
The Audi 80, along with its 60, 72 and 75 siblings, was part of the company’s F103 series, which marked the rebirth of the marque under Volkswagen ownership.
Relatively advanced with front-wheel drive, disc brakes and a sleek design featuring rectangular headlamps, its four-cylinder engine also signalled a departure from Audi’s previous use of two-stroke technology.
Production of the F103 series ended in 1972, with more than 200,000 cars sold.
4. BMW ’02 series
The success of the ’02 series not only saved BMW from financial ruin in the mid-1960s, but went on to define its image as a maker of driver-focused cars.
Based on a shortened platform from its Neue Klasse predecessor, the two-door saloon was most commonly powered by 1.6- and 2-litre four-cylinder engines (known respectively as 1600-02/1602 and 2002).
But the injected 2002tii and 2002 turbo models brought added glamour and motorsport credibility to the range.
BMW’s ’02 series was made until 1977, when it was replaced by the 3 Series.
5. Chevrolet Camaro
Revealed in 1966 for the ’67 model year, the new Camaro was Chevrolet’s response to Ford’s already popular Mustang.
Based on the General Motors F-body platform, also shared with the Pontiac Firebird, the Camaro adopted the then in-vogue long-bonnet, short-deck profile and was sold as either a two-door coupé or a convertible.
The list of available powertrains was immense, ranging from a 230cu in (3.8-litre) straight-six, to the 427cu in (7-litre) V8 of the ZL1 model.
6. Chrysler Valiant (VC)
The Australian-produced Chrysler Valiant VC, with its sharp profile, squared-off grille and vertical rear lights, adopted a far more US-influenced design than its AP6 predecessor, with which it shared a platform.
Sold as a saloon, Safari wagon and ute, the AP6’s 225cu in (3.6-litre) slant-six was carried over, but the VC could now also be powered by a 273cu in (4.5-litre) V8.
Manual and automatic transmissions were available, as was the option of front disc brakes.
7. Dodge Charger
Introduced in mid-’66 as the ‘leader of the Dodge rebellion’, the first-generation Charger was a two-door, fastback coupé, based on its maker’s mid-size Coronet saloon.
A 318cu in (5.2-litre) V8 was standard from launch, with engine displacements extended right up to the now legendary 426cu in (7-litre) Hemi.
Inside, the Charger’s distinctive layout comprised a full-length console and four bucket seats, with rear chairs that could fold flat to permit cargo access.
8. Ferrari 275GTB/4
Enzo Ferrari remained wedded to conventional front-engined/rear-drive layouts for his road cars, despite rival Lamborghini’s adoption of a mid-mounted V12 for its new Miura.
The Ferrari 275GTB/4, presented at the Paris motor show of 1966, was the ultimate incarnation of the 275GTB, its 3.3-litre V12 engine now using four overhead camshafts to produce a maximum 296bhp at a dizzying 8000rpm.
A torque tube now connected the V12 to the rear transaxle and performance was improved, the car capable of 0-60mph in 6.1 secs and a 166mph top speed.
The 275GTB/4 was replaced in 1968 by the larger-engined 365GTB/4 Daytona.
9. Fiat 124
One of legendary engineer Dante Giacosa’s final designs, the Fiat 124, revealed at the ’66 Geneva show, was a hugely successful model for the Italian marque, winning the 1967 European Car of the Year award and spawning estate, coupé and Spider variants.
Despite its staid and boxy styling, the 124 saloon boasted class-leading performance.
In base form, it was powered by an overhead-valve, 1.2-litre, four-cylinder engine, but its lightweight construction gave it a respectable power-to-weight ratio.
Sharp rear-wheel-drive handling and four-wheel disc brakes added to its driver appeal.
10. Fiat 124 Sport Spider
Designed by Pininfarina, the Fiat 124 Sport Spider made its debut in 1966 and proved to be an instant hit in the US, which accounted for 75% of the 200,000 cars built between 1966 and 1985.
Based on a shortened 124 saloon platform, but with a 2+2 cabin, the Sport Spider was initially powered by a twin-overhead-cam, 1.4-litre ‘four’, mated to a five-speed gearbox.
There was also a station-wagon variant of the 124 called the Familiare, first seen in November 1966 at the motor show in Fiat’s home city, Turin.
11. Fiat Dino Spider
Launched at the 1966 Turin show, the Fiat Dino Spider was a collaboration between Fiat and Ferrari to homologate the latter’s V6 engine for Formula Two racing.
Initially available as an all-aluminium, 2-litre V6, the Ferrari-derived unit produced 158bhp, but in 1969 its capacity was increased to 2.4 litres with nearly 178bhp.
Pininfarina designed the Dino’s curvaceous, 2+2 convertible body, and the following year it was joined in the range by a Bertone-designed coupé.
12. Honda S800
Introduced at the 1965 Tokyo motor show and on sale from 1966, the Honda S800 succeeded the S600 as its maker’s compact sports car.
Available as a coupé or roadster, it was powered by a tiny, 791cc, four-cylinder engine, producing just 70bhp and revving to 8000rpm.
It became the fastest sub-1-litre car of its time, capable of a 100mph top speed.
Early Honda S800s employed a sophisticated chain drive to the rear wheels, which was later replaced by a conventional live axle.
13. Jaguar 420
Introduced in October 1966, the Jaguar 420 saloon bridged the gap between the Mk2/S-type and the MkX in the British car manufacturer’s range.
Identifiable by its four-headlight front end, the 420 was powered by Jaguar’s venerable XK straight-six, which had an output of 245bhp, for a top speed of 120mph.
Like the S-type, the Jaguar 420 benefitted from independent rear suspension and dual-circuit disc brakes.
14. Jensen FF
Jensen’s pioneering FF was the first non-all-terrain production car equipped with a four-wheel-drive system, supplied by Ferguson (hence the ‘FF’ name, for Ferguson Formula).
As well as the improvements in terms of traction and grip courtesy of four-wheel drive, the FF was the first production car to use ABS (anti-lock braking system), in this case thanks to Dunlop’s Maxaret technology.
The Jensen FF made its debut at the London Motor Show at Earls Court in the autumn of 1966.
Measuring 5in (127mm) longer than its similarly designed Interceptor sibling in order to accommodate the Maxaret equipment, the FF was powered by a 6.3-litre Chrysler V8. Speaking of which…
15. Jensen Interceptor
Another star of the ’66 Earls Court show, the Jensen Interceptor’s combination of Italian design, a big, brawny American powertrain and British manufacturing made it a tempting rival for any contemporary Aston Martin.
Touring had conceived the Interceptor’s elegant lines, with its distinctive, large, glass hatchback and, for the first time, a Jensen production car was made from steel, rather than glassfibre.
Like the FF we’ve just mentioned, the Jensen Interceptor used Chrysler’s mighty, 6.3-litre V8, the capacity of which was later increased to 7.2 litres.
16. Lamborghini 400GT 2+2
Replacing the 350GT, the marque’s first road car, the Lamborghini 400GT 2+2 used the same body and underpinnings as its predecessor, but with a larger and more powerful 3.9-litre V12, this time producing 316bhp and offering a 155mph top speed.
Introduced at the 1966 Geneva motor show, Carrozzeria Touring was employed to extend the roofline of its original design to accommodate two occasional rear seats.
The 2+2 is also identifiable by its four-headlight front end.
Lamborghini produced around 247 400GTs from 1966-’68.
17. Lamborghini Miura
Designed by Marcello Gandini and launched at the ’66 Geneva motor show, the Lamborghini Miura is now widely acknowledged as the world’s first supercar.
Its rolling chassis, with a transversely mounted, 3.9-litre V12 situated amidships, had already caused a stir when it was revealed the year before, but when the production car’s low and futuristic body was unveiled in 1966 it cemented Lamborghini’s reputation as a genuine Ferrari rival.
The fact that the Miura’s 174mph top speed not only made it the fastest production car of the 1960s, but also a direct match for Ferrari’s later 365GTB/4 Daytona, was the icing on the cake for Lamborghini.
18. Lotus Europa
Like Lamborghini, Lotus also saw the handling and packaging benefits of a mid-engined configuration (in Hethel’s case, borne out of motorsport experience), and the Europa of 1966 was its first road car to showcase this layout.
Built on a lightweight, steel, backbone chassis with a bonded glassfibre, two-seat body, the Europa weighed just 612kg (1350lb).
Initially powered by a humble 82bhp 1.5-litre ‘four’ from a Renault 16, the Europa quickly established a reputation for its race-bred handling, while still being capable of a 110mph top speed.
19. Maserati Ghibli
Launched at the 1966 Turin motor show, the Maserati Ghibli was a fastback 2+2 coupé which went on sale the following year.
Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Ghia, the Ghibli was powered by a 306bhp, 4.7-litre, dry-sump V8, later increased to 4.9 litres with the SS of 1969, mated to five-speed ZF transmission.
Produced until 1973, the Maserati Ghibli was renowned for its blend of leather-bound luxury and high performance.
20. Oldsmobile Toronado
Oldsmobile’s Toronado was a genuinely groundbreaking model, being the first mass-produced, front-wheel-drive car from an American manufacturer since the Cord 810 and 812 of the 1930s.
While it was first revealed late in 1965, the Toronado was a highlight of the Detroit motor show in January 1966.
Bill Mitchell’s General Motors design team created a rakish, fastback body that appeared to be of monocoque construction, but actually sat over a three-quarter length, box-section frame.
The Oldsmobile Toronado’s bespoke Super Rocket 7-litre V8 gave the car performance to match its looks, producing a generous 385bhp, as well as 475lb ft of torque.
21. Opel Rekord (C)
The year 1966 was a transitional one for Opel’s Rekord range, with the outgoing B model first receiving more advanced, overhead-cam engines, and then the new Rekord C arriving later that year with US-influenced, ‘Coke-bottle’ styling.
Available in saloon, coupé and estate guises, the Rekord was powered by a range of four-cylinder units from 1500cc to 1900cc, as well as a 2.2-litre straight-six.
Production ended in 1971, with more than one million cars produced.
22. Rootes Arrow series
Launched in October 1966, Rootes Group’s Arrow series comprised a wide variety of compact family cars to replace the ageing Audax range.
The most popular models were the Rex Fleming-designed Hillman Hunter and Singer Vogue three-box saloons, with MacPherson-strut front suspension and a choice of 1500cc or 1725cc four-cylinder engines.
Numerous variants followed, based on the same platform, including the Hillman Minx, the Humber Sceptre and the fastback Sunbeam Rapier.
23. Seat 850
The Dante Giacosa-designed Fiat 850 had already been on sale for two years when, from April 1966, Seat started to build its near-identical model under licence in Spain.
Conceived to fit in the range between the 600 and front-engined 1500 models, the 850’s 843cc ‘four’ was mounted behind the rear axle, driving the rear wheels.
A sporting 850 coupé version arrived later, plus an extended, four-door model unique to Seat.
24. Simca 1301/1501
The Simca 1301 and 1501 were introduced in October 1966 to replace the outgoing 1300 and 1500 models.
Longer by 200mm (nearly 8in) than their predecessors, the new cars were more salubrious inside, with revised dashboards and larger boots.
The estate variant was noted for its practical split tailgate and, in some versions, a removable cargo floor that doubled as a picnic table – very handy!
25. Triumph GT6
Triumph’s Michelotti-designed GT6 first appeared in 1966, but rapidly developed a nasty reputation for lift-off oversteer thanks to the design of its rear suspension.
When the Mk2 appeared two years later, a heavily revised rear set-up tamed the car’s wayward handling.
At the same time, Triumph freshened its styling (partly in response to US crash regulations), and installed a more powerful version of the 2-litre, straight-six engine from the Vitesse Mk2.
Acceleration from 0-60mph dropped to 10 secs, and Autocar achieved a top speed with the car of 107mph.
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