Powerful GT Cars
In terms of performance, the most powerful GT cars of the 1960s were on a par with their equivalents today, so efficient were their aerodynamics and engineering. Modern supercar drivers might notice differences in electronic gadgetry, soundproofing, and driver aids—but not in performance. The 1960s also produced some of the finest styling ever seen in this genre.
Bristol 407, 1962
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 5,130 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 122 mph (196 km/h) |
The British Bristol marque used a Chrysler V8 engine in the 407, giving this upmarket four-seater the power it needed to merit its pretensions as a status symbol.
Aston Martin DB5, 1964
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 3,995 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 148 mph (238 km/h) |
Adding the cowled headlights from the DB4 GT created a much sportier look for the DB5, which was justified by an upgrade to a 314 bhp Vantage engine and a five-speed ZF gearbox.
Aston Martin DB6, 1965
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 3,995 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 140 mph (225 km/h) |
The body of this luxurious, heavy model was slightly more spacious than that of the DB5. The flick-up tail balanced the cowled-light front and improved aerodynamic stability.
Ferrari 400 GT Superamerica, 1961
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 3,967 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 160 mph (257 km/h) |
Each 400 Superamerica was built to order and customized for individual owners. With an aerodynamic body styled by Pininfarina, the GT gave shattering levels of performance.
Ferrari 275GTB, 1965
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 3,286 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 153 mph (246 km/h) |
Perfectly proportioned styling by Pininfarina, a five-speed gearbox, and all-independent suspension showed that Ferrari was moving with the times; six-carburetor versions did 165 mph (265 km/h).
Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray, 1963
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 5,360 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 147 mph (237 km/h) |
A dramatic 1963 restyling gave the Corvette a new, aerodynamic profile, with the headlights hidden behind electrically operated panels. For the first time it was offered as a hardtop coupe as well as a convertible.
Dino 246GT, 1969
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 2,418 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 148 mph (238 km/h) |
Enzo Ferrari named this mid-engined two-seater after his son Dino, who died in 1956; later versions went out under simply the Ferrari name. The stunning styling is by Pininfarina.
Facel Vega Facel II, 1962
| Origin | France |
| Engine | 6,286 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 133 mph (214 km/h) |
Big, bold, unquestionably French, and powered by a Chrysler V8, the Facel II was firmly in the Grand Routier tradition. Only 180 of this expensive, exclusive car were made.
Jaguar E-type, 1961
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 3,781 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 140 mph (225 km/h) |
With the E-type, Jaguar’s Malcolm Sayer and William Lyons created one of the most beautiful and effective sports cars of all time. The XKE, as it was known in the United States, was at home on road and racetrack.
Ford Mustang GT500, 1967
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 7,000 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 134 mph (216 km/h) |
Carroll Shelby shoe-horned the big-block Ford V8 engine into the Mustang to create the 355 bhp GT500, which offered serious hotrod performance in a luxury package.
Gordon-Keeble, 1964
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 5,395 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 136 mph (219 km/h) |
British engineering, a powerful American V8 engine, and delicately beautiful Italian styling by Bertone created this excellent GT, which some see as offering the perfect combination of speed and style.
Iso Grifo A3C, 1965
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 5,359 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 170 mph (274 km/h) |
Giotto Bizzarrini designed the Grifo A3C for racing, and it triumphed in its category at Le Mans in 1965. It was based on Bizzarrini’s stunning V8-powered Grifo two-seat coupé.
Lamborghini Miura, 1966
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 3,929 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 177 mph (285 km/h) |
Lamborghini eclipsed Ferrari when it introduced the outstanding Miura, the first practical, mid-engined supercar. The breathtaking styling was by Marcello Gandini for Bertone.
Lamborghini 400GT Monza, 1966
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 3,929 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 156 mph (251 km/h) |
Lamborghini and Ferrari fought a constant battle to be the top Italian supercar brand. The 400GT’s four-cam V12 engine was far more advanced than anything Ferrari could offer. The Monza was a one-off edition of the car.
It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011
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