Ultimate Luxury and Limousines
The 1960s saw the final flowering of the separate chassis luxury car. These huge, heavy, traditional, and opulent cars were gradually replaced by fighter, more efficient, modern, monocoque luxury models, with significantly higher performance and sleeker, lower lines. The decade also saw the appearance of much smaller luxury cars based on mainstream models, ideal for city driving.
GAZ Chaika, 1959
| Origin | USSR |
| Engine | 5,522 cc V8 |
| Top speed | 99 mph (159 km/h) |
A close copy of a 1955 Packard, the Chaika was built until 1981. It was strictly for party officials, academics, scientists, and other VIPs who were approved by the Soviet government.
Cadillac Calais, 1965
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 7,030 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 120 mph (193 km/h) |
Every Cadillac was a luxury car; this model featured curved side windows, remote-controlled exterior mirrors, variable ratio steering, and heated seats.
Nissan Cedric, 1962
| Origin | Japan |
| Engine | 1,883 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 90 mph (145 km/h) |
Rarely seen outside Japan at the time, Nissan’s large sedan was inspired by U.S. styling but fitted with a 1.5-2.8-liter engine. It was Nissan’s first monocoque design.
Nissan President, 1965
| Origin | Japan |
| Engine | 3,988 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
Nissan’s ultimate car for 1965 was a better model than the Cedric, with a 3.0-liter V6 or 4.0-liter V8 and, from 1971, ABS. One was used by Japan’s prime minister.
Mercedes-Benz 300SEC, 1962
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 2,996 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
One of Germany’s finest cars of the early 1960s, the 300SEC had a race-proven, fuel-injected six-cylinder engine in a sophisticated coupe or convertible shell.
Mitsubishi Debonair, 1964
| Origin | Japan |
| Engine | 1,991 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 96 mph (154 km/h) |
This luxury car for the Japanese market was styled like an early 1960s U.S. car. It stayed almost unchanged until 1986. A bigger engine was added in the 1970s.
Mercedes-Benz 600, 1963
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 6,332 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 130 mph (209 km/h) |
From 1963 until as recently as 1981, Mercedes offered this large sedan for VIPs to travel in an insulated cabin at speeds of up to 120 mph (193 km/h). Only 2,677 of them were built.
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III, 1962
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 6,230 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 110 mph (177 km/h) |
The last of the separate-chassis mainstream Rolls-Royces was traditional and indulgent, but with a wonderful wood and leather interior; it also had V8 power and modern twin headlights.
Checker Marathon Limousine, 1963
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 4,637 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 90 mph (145 km/h) |
Checker built taxis from 1923 to 1959, and then produced a few taxi-derived cars, station wagons, and limos. This eight-door limo offered a roomy interior.
Bentley S3 Continental, 1962
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 6,230 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 113 mph (185 km/h) |
The stately Bentley S3 also came in a coachbuilt “Continental” version, which was a faster and lighter model with an aluminum body and sportier lines.
Humber Imperial, 1964
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 2,965 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 100 mph (161 km/h) |
The ultimate Imperial model was discontinued for 10 years by Chrysler’s Rootes Group, but they brought it back in 1964-67 as this comfortably equipped, big sedan.
Lincoln Continental Convertible, 1961
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 7,043 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
The 1961 Continental was one of the most influential auto designs of the decade. It had power-assisted seats, windows, brakes, steering, and transmission
Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, 1968
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 6,230 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 101 mph (163 km/h) |
Huge, heavy, and entirely custom-made, this was the ultimate status symbol for rock stars or royalty. Based on a 1950s design with twin headlights added, 409 were built up to 1992.
Chrysler New Yorker, 1960
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 6,767 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 122 mph (196 km/h) |
In 1960 Chrysler began producing its first monocoque construction bodyshells. The New Yorker was the longest and most luxurious,
Radford Mini De Ville, 1963
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 1,275 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 95 mph (153 km/h) |
Harold Radford coachbuilders offered Minis completely reworked with luxury interiors, tuned engines, and special exterior finishes. Customers included British actor Peter Sellers.
Jaguar MkX, 1962
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 3,781 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 120 mph (193 km/h) |
A wide 1960s luxury model with monocoque construction, independent rear suspension, and wood and leather interior, this car was ideal for the U.S. market.
Daimler DS420, 1968
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 4,235 cc, straight-six |
| Top speed | 110 mph (177 km/h) |
Jaguar based this classy limousine on its MkX/420G platform but extended it at the back. This model was built by Vanden Plas, then by Jaguar from 1979 to 1992.
It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011
