Brilliant ’60s classics for every budget

From bargains to bank-breakers, there’s a throwback classic for everyone

Sucker for ’60s classics? We don’t blame you: it was a decade that saw frumpy ’50s fashions turfed out in favour of appealing curves and sharp ’70s lines arriving before their time.

From diminutive drop-top roadsters to luxury motorway cruisers to stunning V8 GTs, the 1960s truly had it all – and, whether you’ve £5k stashed in a savings account or a big lottery win to blow, there’s a ’60s classic for you.

Don’t believe us? Among these 25 cars there’s an option to suit every budget – and just in time for Christmas, too.

MGB

Price: £5-12k

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly entry into ’60s classic ownership, you needn’t search beyond our first (and most reasonably priced) entry. It’s probably the most obvious sports car choice from the era and for good reason: the MGB was a cracking all-rounder with enjoyable top-down performance and handy practicality.

More to the point, they remain relatively easy to maintain today, thanks to the ready availability of spare parts and heritage support – which means even total wrecks can be bought and restored.

Rover P5B

Price: £5-15k

A luxury, late-’60s saloon favoured by government staff, Prime Ministers and even Queen Elizabeth II herself, the Rover P5B was nothing if not refined. Equipped with a 3.5-litre V8 motor borrowed from Buick, it wasn’t sporty so much as sorted – and certainly a comfortable place to be.

Decent examples are on the up, but it’s still possible to pick up a solid P5B for less than £10k, provided you’re happy to give it a thorough once-over.

Fiat 124 Spider

Price: £8-15k

Never officially available in the UK (the bulk went to the USA), the two-door 124 cuts a distinctive figure on British roads, its small-but-sweet 1.4-litre ’60s motor giving it zing to match the sparky drop-top body: it can do the 0-60 dash in a respectable 9.5 seconds.

If you want something nuttier then you’ll have to shell out for the featherweight 124 Abarth Rallye version, but for most the standard left-hand drive Spider will offer brilliant bang-for-buck performance.

Jaguar XJ6

Price: £8-15k

Love saloons? There’s no way you can’t appreciate the XJ. One of the most refined four-doors of the late-’60s, the Series 1 machine soon became a staple on British roads, offering accessible luxury for the middle class masses.

Comfortable, well-appointed and very capable, the XJ6 – conceived as something of a ‘sports saloon’ – didn’t appear radical when it launched in 1968, but it was game-changing in the way it reworked a familiar formula into something altogether lighter, stronger and more advanced.

And it’s still a wonderful car today – for both driver and passenger – with a price that’s very accessible.

Triumph GT6

Price: £10-18k

Long known as the poor man’s E-type, the fastback GT6 more than deserves the moniker: few engines sound better than Triumph’s sweet 2-litre number when it starts to growl – and it’s versatile, too.

Easy to maintain with a raft of spares available, if you can pick one up without a rusty chassis you’ll have the perfect starter GT – and one that packs a pretty punch, without the Jag price tag.

Volvo Amazon

Price: £10-18k

Although it launched in 1956 and bears distinctly ’50s styling, the Amazon truly came of age in the 1960s; the first examples arrived in the UK in 1958, but it was produced right through to 1970.

Stylish in an understated way, the real selling point of the Swedish machine was its build quality which, paired with a surprisingly low kerb weight, made it the perfect beast to take rallying – which many did.

Durable, usable and unexpectedly agile, pick up an Amazon in 1.8-litre 122S or 104mph 123GT guise for the best blend of performance and reliability – or track down an estate for ultimate utility.

Ford Mustang Notchback

Price: £10-20k

Want some 1960s American muscle for your money? Forget Bullitt replicas and fancy fastbacks: the not-so-showy notchback is just as capable and pretty much half the price.

Famous for the near-endless array of options available at purchase, there’s no such thing as a standard Mustang – which means choosing one will require some careful study of what you want.

The best thing about the notchback? It gets less attention than the higher-end models, which means you can pick up fairly priced examples complete with a raft of extras. Anything with the 289cu in V8 engine would be a fine place to start.

Lancia Fulvia Coupe

Price: £12-20k

Fancy a fine Italian coupé that’s cracking to drive and doesn’t cost the earth? Good examples of the Lancia Fulvia are still available for less than £20k and promise performance that belies the V4 motor under the hood.

Elegant in an upright way, the diminutive two-door steers well, sounds wonderful and offers driving fun without being too demanding. A tempting package and one that won’t break the bank – unless you opt for a rarer HF Fanalone or Zagato variant.

TVR Vixen

Price: £14-22k

Built by hand in Blackpool, the Vixen’s kit-car stigma has long since faded, leaving behind a late-’60s sports car that’s fun to drive, full of character and cheap to run (with a rot-free body).

Early models were powered by MG motors, but revised, longer-wheelbase Series 2 examples shipped with a Cortina GT motor and improved ventilation, making for a perky 88bhp experience.

Prices have risen in the last decade, but it’s still possible to pick up sorted examples for a fair price – though Lightweight models cost more. 

Citroën DS21

Price: £15-30k

Even in luxury Pallas trim, the quirky Citroën DS21 can feel a little spartan compared to bigger ’60s saloons, but that’s not what this French masterpiece is all about.

No, the true beauty of the DS is what’s underneath its striking skin, with self-levelling suspension, powered brakes, steering and clutch, and a semi-automatic gearbox all combining to deliver outstanding ride quality and accessibility.

Admittedly, that complexity has been the enemy of many a mechanic over the years but, provided you know what you’re signing up for, the DS is about as unique and stylish as they come.

Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV

Price: £25-35k

Few mass-production motors rev as sweetly as the 1750cc unit in Alfa Romeo’s Bertone-styled GT beauty, the GTV. In fact, almost every aspect of this car’s feel is inspirational, from the smooth steering to the hungry engine to the slick five-speed transmission.

Other classics might be quicker, more powerful and faster through corners, but few can hold a candle to the GTV’s thoroughbred charm. 

Looking to buy one? Watch out for rot and check the engine’s genuine. 

Mercedes 280SE

Price: £18-25k

A stylish, comfortable cruiser whose only flaw was being too understated, the Mercedes-Benz W108 was the last word in Germany luxury in the late ’60s – and, thanks to that timeless design, it remains a very classy runner today.

What’s more, that fabled Mercedes build quality meant W108s were durable and reliable, both then and now.

So, which one to go for? Well the 2.5-litre engine couldn’t always handle strain, while the 3-litre is costly to repair. In 280SE guise? You’ve got a robust 2.8-litre autobahn saloon that’ll run and run.

Lotus Elan

Price: £18-30k

A highly strung plastic car that’ll set you back twice the cost of a tidy MGB? One that helped to create its maker’s reputation for fragility? It might seem mad to suggest that the Lotus Elan is a worthy purchase but, in truth, its phenomenal roadholding and sparkling performance propel the little roadster into a different league.

Blast an Elan along a B-road and you’ll soon discover why it remains a handling benchmark today: no other ’60s sports car can match the nimble road manners and natural grip afforded by its featherweight construction and all-round independent suspension.

Prices vary depending on the model. Series 1 and 2 cars are rare and collectible, but any nice restored number will be more than £20k today.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint

Price: £22-30k

Penned by a young Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Alfa Giulia coupé remains a beautiful piece of car design today – not to mention fabulous to drive and properly practical to boot.

Powered by an excellent all-aluminium engine, the Sprint GT came equipped with superb suspension, disc brakes and reclining seats, marking it out as a sports car ahead of its time.

Nowadays, value is determined by engine size and condition. You’ll have fun in almost any ’60s Alfa – and performance doesn't vary much across most Sprint engines – but it’s the 2000 model that’ll deliver the best value.

Triumph TR4

Price: £22-35k

About as rugged as sports cars get, the TR4 took the robust underpinnings of the TR3 before it and clothed them in a more modern body by Michelotti. The only issue? A harsh ride – something sorted with the addition of independent rear suspension in 1965’s TR4A revision.

Small, sporty and bags of fun, prices are already climbing on the back of the TR5. Bag yourself a sorted example for less than £25k and you can feel pleased with your bargaining – or spend less and get one with a ropey motor: the tractor engine is inexpensive to fix.

Morris Mini Cooper

Price: £22-35k

Arguably the most iconic ’60s classic of all, if you want a cheaper Mini then skip the Cooper badge – but if it’s a proper pocket rocket that you’re after then there’s only one way to go.

Prices for the souped-up Issigonis machine have long since headed for the heavens, leaving period John Cooper cars anything but a bargain. Then again, for rollerskate handling, punchy featherweight performance and all the fun you could want without breaking the speed limit, it’s impossible to do better.

Just make sure yours hasn’t been ragged to within an inch of its little life.

Fiat Dino Coupé

Price: £30-40k

With its sleek Bertone styling and Fiat-built Ferrari V6 engine, the Dino was once an underrated gem. Alas, with ‘proper’ Dino machines now beyond the budget of most, the Fiat version has had its own rocketship rise in price.

What you’re paying for here is feel-good exclusivity: engine spares cost Ferrari money, the electrics can be shoddy and the steel body is generally poorly protected – all of which explains why few are on the road. But we understand why you want one. It’s an undercover Prancing Horse, right?

Driver appeal is greater in post-1969 2.4-litre 180bhp guise – but then that’s not really the 1960s, is it…

Austin-Healey 3000

Price: £30-45k

For many, the Austin-Healey is the definitive British sports car – a no-nonsense drop-top with a brawny motor, simple mechanicals, attractive styling and plenty of performance. Oh, and it makes a fantastic noise.

Arguably the best of the Big Healeys, the 3000 in any guise promises an addictive experience, sitting low to the road as you wrestle with the heavy steering and gear-change.

Early models are devoid of creature comforts (and the clumsy roof takes an age to bolt on), but that bonny oval mouth and deep, throaty timbre make it a very appealing package.

Porsche 912

Price: £30-45k

Classic 911s are now firmly in exotic territory, but their budget four-cylinder siblings deliver similar rewards without the ultimate grunt – or the inflated price tag. Sure, they’re no longer entry-level classics, but they still offer cracking performance and bags of driving pleasure.

Developed for the US market, the 912 puts a torquey 356C engine to good use and, in the right hands, handles better than its six-pot stablemate (but with the same joyous steering).

Right-hand drive examples are quite rare, so you’ll be as good to choose a rust-free import. Spares aren’t cheap, mind, so try to find a sorted one.

Jensen Interceptor

Price: £35-45k

Car snobs have always been a little suspicious of the Interceptor. How can anything be so fast, so cheap and so elegant, without being rubbish? More raffish than any Bristol and much less expensive to own than a contemporary Aston, it might lack the eccentric appeal of the former and the cachet of the latter but the Interceptor was more successful than either in its day.

Traditionally it was a case of the later the better, but early Mk1 examples – bereft of complexities such as air-con and central locking – are arguably easier to live with and look after, not to mention their appealing Italian-style interiors. 

Find one with an unsullied 6.3-litre Chrysler V8 under the hood and you’ll be all set.

Jaguar E-Type 2+2

Price: £40-70k

Less than 10 years ago, opting for the four-seater E-type would bag you a bargain at less than £15k. Alas, with roadster prices through the roof, even this less beautiful variant is now a costly coupé.

That said, get used to the looks and you’ll find the longer-wheelbase option drives just as well as its iconic siblings, while offering savings to the tune of 50% – and you can just about squeeze two small people in the back.

Maserati Indy

Price: £45-80k

This surprisingly practical Vignale-bodied four-seater drives at least as well as the Ghibli with which it shares most of its mechanicals, but comes a lot cheaper. OK, so cheap is a relative concept, but for a good Ghibli today you're looking at £150k or more – which makes the Indy a veritable bargain.

No, it’s not as pretty as its sibling, but it still retains plenty of Maserati style – and in five-speed manual guise it’s an addictive pleasure to drive. It’s also quite durable if well maintained, though that can be quite a big ‘if’.

AC Cobra

Price: £60-100k

Copied but never bettered, the featherweight AC Cobra was anything but a lightweight when it came to performance: whether in purer 289 or bigger, more brutal 427 guise, this was a machine that garnered the lust of many a teenage boy with its long-nose body and promise of world-beating acceleration.

Rare on the road even in period, tracking down a British-built Cobra in good condition today is half the battle – but one that’s well worth fighting. For addictive, angry thrills it’s the bigger, more expensive block you want; for a more accessible experience that will encourage you to attack every corner, plump for the earlier model.

Aston Martin DBS

Price: £70-140k

In a world of classic Astons that cost half-a-million and more, the DBS still looks like a relative bargain – if your budget can stretch to £100k.

Interest in the DBS has risen plenty over the last few years, and for good reason: the successor to the DB6, the gorgeous GT was a stunning blend of Aston old and late-’60s new –  offering clean but muscular lines, strong performance (from a straight-six or, after 1969, a 5.3-litre V8) and the kind of comfort and capability that buyers had come to expect, not to mention space in the back.

Ferrari 330GT

Price: £170-300k

Well, we did say something for every budget – and if you want to blow all you’ve got (and then some) on a ’60s classic, Ferrari’s handsome 2+2 tourer is a fine way to do it.

The replacement for the equally lovely 250GTE before it, the 330GT launched in 1964 with a four-speed transmission, quad headlamps and a wonderful V12 motor. Come 1965, the second series saw the gearbox revised to a five-speed, the front-end reduced to twin lamps and the same cruising performance retained.

In either guise it’s a magnificent, almost practical machine – and, as with almost all Ferraris, prices have long gone through the roof. Well we did warn you…