10 Gorgeous Classic Cars From The ’60s That Are Now Dirt Cheap
Owning a piece of 1960s automotive history doesn’t have to mean emptying your retirement account. While headline-grabbing Ferraris and big-block muscle cars continue to set auction records, a remarkable number of genuinely beautiful vintage machines from that golden decade remain within reach of everyday enthusiasts. The ’60s produced some of the most expressive automotive design the world has ever seen — sweeping fastbacks, chrome-kissed grilles, and purposeful coupes from Detroit to Turin — and the good news is that plenty of those cars haven’t yet caught the attention of deep-pocketed collectors.
Thanks to auction houses and platforms that specialise in trading classic cars, buyers can now get behind the wheel of some of the most charming and underrated classics from the era for less than $15,000. Here is a list of ten sharp-suited European coupes and sleek American compacts that can be picked up on a budget. Before venturing out to an auction and parting with your money, keep in mind that these cars have been around for over 60 years, and most are unlikely to be in showroom condition.
1965 MG MGB GT
Average Price: $10,000-$15,000
The MGB GT was (and is) a sought-after British sports car that oozed character with Italian fastback styling, courtesy of Pininfarina. It transformed the beloved open-top MGB into a practical and stylish grand tourer, with a hatchback layout that was genuinely ahead of its time.
It came fitted with vintage-style wire wheels on each corner (depending on the iteration and model year), generous chrome fixtures, and a low-slung stance. Not just a pretty face, the MGB GT was also equipped with a 1.8-liter engine — modest by modern standards, but praised for delivering a pure, raw, and deeply rewarding driving experience, aided further by a kerb weight of under 2,200 lbs. Abundant parts availability and strong enthusiast support keep ownership costs manageable, making it one of the best-value classic coupes on the market.
Today, buyers can choose between two main body styles: the roadster or the GT coupe. Both variants remained in production until 1980, giving the MGB an impressive 18-year run and cementing its status as one of the most accessible and beloved British classics of the era. While later examples are plentiful at auction, 1960s cars can fetch as much as $15,000.
Volvo Amazon (122S)
Average Price: $12,000–$18,000
Moving across the North Sea to neighboring Sweden, the same era produced one of the most legendary Volvos ever made. Known internally as the 122S and externally as the Amazon, the beautifully styled model was the era-defining example of stately elegance and Scandinavian toughness. It offered subtle American design influence — upright pillars, wide chrome grilles, and wraparound glass — packaged with rugged engineering that made it a global export success. A remarkable 60% of all Amazons produced were sold outside Sweden, with major export destinations including North America (assembled in Halifax, Canada) and Europe (assembled in Ghent, Belgium). Africa also benefited from local assembly, with a facility established in Durban, South Africa.
Coming from an era when manufacturers lived by the mantra built to last, the Amazon is both stylish and surprisingly usable as a vintage daily driver. And unlike many European classics of its era, owners report that it doesn’t require a specialist to maintain. With prices still under $20K, it may not remain an affordable opportunity to own a beautiful ’60s saloon with true substance for much longer.
Chevrolet Corvair Monza
Average Price: $9,000–$16,000
The Corvair Monza was Chevrolet’s most daring design move of the ’60s. It arrived at a time when air-cooled engines were a bold engineering choice, with the company’s engineers opting for a European-inspired rear-mounted flat-six. The styling drew from the same continental playbook, and naming the car after Italy’s famed Temple of Speed made it an exotic proposition amid a sea of conventional front-engine American cars.
The second-generation Monza coupe, introduced in 1965, cleaned up the lines and produced one of the most attractive American coupes of the decade. While safety controversies sparked by Ralph Nader’s Unsafe at Any Speed damaged its reputation, time has revealed the Corvair to be a well-balanced and stylish underdog.
Sunbeam Alpine Series V
Average Price: $10,000–$18,000
The Sunbeam Alpine was the British roadster that arrived just as pop culture was beginning to influence curbside appeal. James Bond drove one on screen in Dr. No, and while it never achieved the fame of MGs or Triumphs, its sleek lines and composed road manners made it a genuine gem of the era. That relative anonymity among mainstream collectors is precisely what puts it squarely in the sights of budget-conscious buyers looking for something special.
The Series V employed a 1.7-liter engine and improved handling, all wrapped in a timelessly pretty body. While its V8-powered sibling, the Tiger, commands serious money, the Alpine remains a sleeper in the classic market — retaining plenty of style and British charm at a fraction of the price. Expect to find good examples pushing toward the $20K mark.
Peugeot 404
Average Price: $9,000–$16,000
Designed by the legendary Pininfarina,
The Peugeot 404 had an air of quiet sophistication. Its boxy shape, tall greenhouse, and tasteful chrome accents gave it a sense of formal elegance, while underneath it was tough, reliable, and surprisingly capable on rough roads. Offered in a wide variety of body styles during its production run from 1960 to 1975, it was one of the most versatile cars of its era — including a four-door sedan (Berline), a station wagon (Break), utilitarian pickup and van variants (Camionnette), and even rare double-cab versions for commercial use.
The examples under the spotlight here are the two-door coupes and convertibles, which have appreciated notably in value. Condition dependent, they can exceed the $20K mark, but examples requiring some TLC can still be found below that figure. If that remains out of budget, the other body configurations — which served as taxi icons across Africa and cult classics throughout Europe — represent the most accessible entry point into classic Peugeot (and French) motoring.
Ford Falcon
Average Price: $11,000–$17,000
The Ford Falcon doesn’t get nearly the respect it deserves. This was the car that directly spawned the Mustang, sharing much of the same platform and drivetrain, but without the collector price tag.
Its restrained styling gives it a sleeper aesthetic, and the inline-six or V8 engines are straightforward to work on and upgrade, according to enthusiasts. Available in coupe, sedan, and wagon forms, the Falcon is a versatile and affordable way to cruise in classic ’60s American metal without paying the muscle car premium — for now, at least.
Opel Kadett B Coupe
Average Price: $9,000–$14,000
Germany was rebuilding itself following the devastation of the Second World War. The late ’40s and ’50s were a trial by fire in many respects, but by the following decade the country had found its footing and was reestablishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in the automotive world. While BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes from the era command a significant premium, the Opel Kadett B Coupe remains arguably one of the most charming compact classics Germany ever produced. Its clean profile, short overhangs, and subtle Coke-bottle curves give it an understated athletic look, while the interior reflects no-nonsense Teutonic design.
Praised for being light and agile, the Kadett Coupe deserves far more attention than it receives. While it never reached the cult status of the VW Beetle or Golf, it remains a stylish alternative for classic car fans seeking something a little off the beaten path — and available for very little money.
Datsun 1600/510 (Bluebird)
Average Price: $12,000–$18,000
Like its German counterpart after the Second World War, Japan was reinventing itself in the postwar world following a near-complete industrial reset. Looking to the West for inspiration, its compact cars began to adopt the expressive styling coming out of continental Europe. One such example is the Datsun Bluebird, which arrived before Nissan had established itself as a performance brand in the U.S. To this day, the 510 remains one of the most significant cars the company has ever sold. It boasted a clean, boxy design with a rear-wheel-drive layout, and the era’s win on Sunday, sell on Monday philosophy saw the feisty 510 earn a reputation as a giant-killer in touring car racing.
Today, the coupe and sedan variants are celebrated by JDM enthusiasts for their tuning potential and analog driving feel. While pristine, original examples are creeping up in price, solid runners can still be found under $20K — though expect some work to be done and money to be spent. On the bright side, it’s a piece of Japanese motoring history that won’t stay cheap for long.
Fiat 850
Average Price: $8,000–$15,000
Many of the vehicles on this list borrowed Italy’s allure through their names or collaborated with Italian design houses during development, but few embody ’60s Italian flair quite like the Fiat 850 Spider — a miniature masterpiece of the era. Several designers contributed to the 850 range, but the most celebrated is the Spider, which was brought to life by Bertone.
With a tiny 843cc inline four-cylinder engine and an extremely lightweight body, the 850 Spider was never about outright speed — it was about top-down charm and winding-road joy. Picture it threading its way along the Amalfi Coast while a swarm of Vespas buzzes past. Rust claimed many examples over the decades, but well-preserved survivors still offer a stylish and rare entry point into Italian vintage motoring. Both the Coupe and Spider can be found for around $20K depending on condition.
Lancia Fulvia Berlina
Average Price: $10,000–$18,000
The Lancia Fulvia may be best known for its sleek coupe, but the Berlina sedan shares its innovative engineering and classy aesthetic in a more subtle — and more affordable — package. It was designed around a narrow-angle V4 engine and front-wheel drive long before such a layout became fashionable, and it proved beautifully balanced to drive as a result.
With crisp, understated styling and a rich motorsport pedigree courtesy of the Coupe HF variants, the Fulvia Berlina is a true connoisseur’s choice — an Italian classic with genuine heritage that still flies under the radar in terms of price.
Some honorary mentions include the Renault Caravelle, produced throughout the decade, and the Mercedes-Benz W110 “Fintail,” which embraced the American styling craze of the era. All of the above can be found for under $20K (condition dependent) and offer their buyer the chance to step into a time capsule without breaking the bank.
Sources: MG Spares, Car and Classic, Volvo Cars, Classic.com, Volvo Club, GM, Sunbeam Alpine Owners, Falcon Club.
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