The 1960s is also one of the most popular and well-remembered decades in American motoring, and you can find some of its most popular examples on our list, including models with large engines, great performance, and a wide variety of styling to help you think back to the decade. The decade was also well known for large, well-styled bodies and classic chrome bumpers, and the decade had a lot of great American cars that you can enjoy even if they’re still affordable. As the decade has gone by and more classic American cars have been collected, the prices of many of the most popular models from the 1960s have been going up and up, and we’ve included some of these in our list, while you’ll be paying a pretty penny to get your hands on the most popular.

Fortunately, you don’t have to spend six figures to get the style and mechanical experience of the golden age of American motoring. There are plenty of cars from the big automakers out there that offer the style, the history and the drive of a classic with less of the price bump associated with the most collectable cars. Many of them have been little driven so they still won’t cost you a fortune to own, and you can give yourself the enjoyment of what it is like to get the sound, the feel, the personality of a 1960s car without spending a ton of money. If you’re willing to step outside the spotlight and look for other names there are plenty of options, and these 10 cars show that you can find a cheap 1960s classic.

1. Chevrolet Corvair

The Chevrolet Corvair was one of the most genuinely unusual compact cars for the American market when it was first introduced in the late 1950s. Competitively, compact cars were still relatively rare in the United States and most of the time were the products of foreign companies that were seen as a little odd by American buyers. Chevrolet, though, took a lot of risk with a car that was quite different in appearance to what most of its cars looked like and under the skin, was quite different to what consumers might have been used to. Yet, the Corvair, was the most dramatic to drive due to its design and layout.

What Makes The Corvair Stand Out:

• Rear-mounted flat-six engine
• Air-cooled boxer configuration
• Distinctive compact design
• Unconventional American engineering
• Revolutionary mechanical layout

The Corvair was a daring departure from the norm in Chevrolet’s lineup. Instead of a scaled-down mainstream American car, Chevrolet designed something with a distinctly different mechanical approach. That gives the Corvair a uniqueness, and a sense of authentic vintage appeal, that’s especially appealing if you’re after an affordable classic with a real sense of history. Its small proportions, quirky engineering, and unusual mechanical design gives it a character that’s easy to recognise when you’re comparing American cars of the 1960s.

2. Ford Falcon

Popular, cheap and highly customisable, the Ford Falcon was a hit. Its base models featured an inexpensive 2.4-litre engine providing 90 horsepower, but buyers seeking a little more grunt could opt for a larger six-cylinder engine or even a muscular 260 V8. While Ford offered a handful of body styles, there was no shortage of options here, too, with convertibles, sedan delivery bodies and three- and five-door station wagon body types making the compact whatever you needed it to be.

Why The Falcon Remains Interesting:

• Affordable compact platform
• Economical 90-horsepower engine
• Larger six-cylinder options
• Available 260 V8
• Numerous body styles

First Gen Ford Falcon 1964 ushered in the second-generation Falcon, marking an interesting time for the model. It was when the Mustang arrived and the one-car operation took a great leap forward, as the Mustang was designed around the Falcon’s basic chassis architecture. Certainly, the Falcon is an affordable, versatile car with a little more to offer all classic car buyers, especially those that love an authentic touch of Ford history that doesn’t have the same high-performance-hungry value as the Mustang.

3. Cadillac Calais

The Calais arrived in 1965 as Cadillac’s new entry-level offering, providing a more affordable way into luxury motoring. Cadillac was finding that the more costly DeVille was getting too expensive for some purchasers, so the Calais provided a whole new entry into the marque, if you like, to cater for those who wanted to experience Cadillac’s badge without the higher-end prices. The Calais kept its place for 11 years and was a good seller in showrooms and was relatively easily told from the rest of the range by its slimmer chrome strips, the complete absence of a vinyl roof option and a no-convertible bodywork version.

Calais Details Worth Knowing:

• Introduced in 1965
• Cadillac entry-level model
• Eleven-year production run
• Reduced chrome trim
• No convertible body style

That should make the Calais an attractive compromise between Cadillac identity and accessibility, during the early ’80s, when American luxury cars were defined by their conspicuous style. Its place in the Cadillac line up meant new owners could join the brand without immediately entering the realm of the dearer DeVille. For the buyer of budget classics from the ’60s, the Calais offers something alternative to the muscle car pack; Cadillac visual appeal and pedigree, but on the more affordable end of the scale.

4. Pontiac Tempest

The Pontiac Tempest was part of the great American movement for compact-cars in the early 1960s, which also included the Chevrolet Corvair, the Ford Falcon and the Dodge Valiant. Unlike most of its competitors, which used conventional compact-car engineering, Pontiac used a number of novel mechanical features, such as independent suspension, although it retained the live axles at the front and rear. A feature that most of its rivals did not use was the Tempest’s engine, which was an economical four-cylinder, of a novel design which was a scaled-down version of a V8. Furthermore, the Tempest’s transmission was mounted behind the engine and was designed in a transaxle configuration, a highly sophisticated feature, which was practically unheard of in the US at the time.

Engineering Features To Remember:

• Independent suspension system
• Live rear axles
• Cut-down V8 four-cylinder
• Rear-mounted gearbox
• Innovative transaxle design

The Tempest is thus the result of Pontiac creating the Tempest to test engineering concepts and not for its specific design. The mechanical configuration of the Tempest helped lend the compact car a distinct identity from many other competitions in the segment. The Tempest offers plenty for the gear head to love, with its unique four-cylinder engine and the rear-mounted transaxle setting the model apart from most other entry-level compact cars of the early 1960s.

5. Pontiac LeMans

If you love the muscle car style, performance ethos and vintage appeal of the original GTO but would prefer to avoid actually dropping the GTO nameplate on the pavement, then a Pontiac LeMans may be a great choice. Like the Pontiac Tempest that served as the basis for the GTO in the sixties, the Pontiac LeMans was a very direct relative, complete with the same body, chassis and proportions. That proved a huge advantage by the late sixties when the LeMans was a gold standard for spot-on clone conversions. With its identical underlying structure and outward appearance, owners could easily create some GTO authenticity at a lower cost than most people had to pay for true performance badging.

Why Enthusiasts Consider The LeMans:

• Shares GTO body structure
• Same basic chassis design
• Classic muscle car styling
• Popular GTO replica foundation
• More accessible alternative

LeMans: The LeMans is a more subtle way to enjoy the character of one of America’s most noted muscle cars, yet steer clear of market pricing for a true GTO. Its ties to the GTO is a large factor in its desirability, and makes the LeMans a good alternative for a young enthusiast who wants the impact of a classic Pontiac but is not intent on the rarest of the badge. It gets most everything right to give a vintage feel at a more tangible entry point.

6. Chevrolet Chevy II

Before the Nova badge took hold, the 1962-65 Chevrolet Chevy II offered a fairly accessible way to own a Chevrolet. Intended to be a cheap economy car, some variants of the car can be fitted with lively V8 engines, giving the lightweight compact far more flavor than the exterior might imply. The Chevy II also boasts a decent amount of classic style and grace, in the form of coupes and a classy convertible, it’s easy to maintain due to its simple mechanical design and easy availability of modern components.

What Makes The Chevy II Appealing:

• Affordable entry-level classic
• Available punchy V8 engines
• Lightweight compact construction
• Two-door body options
• Convertible availability

Simple mechanics and easy-to-come-by components add to Chevy II’s appeal for those venturing into the classic-car market. Whether you want a good first-old-car classic or a weekend project, the Chevy II is a car that makes a lot of sense. Although styling is a major part of its allure, the Chevy II has a lot going for it; the model offers a 1960s-style American compact car and the option of adding a V8-without too much complication.

7. Buick Wildcat

One of the more underrated classics from America’s golden era of automotive engineering, the Buick Wildcat offered the best of both worlds: “personal luxury” comfort, wrapped in a sporty package that could really get up and go. The Wildcat, which arrived in 1963, struck the right balance between a more refined automobile and its muscular muscle car cousin, with a sleek but subtle exterior that was every inch a Buick, but performance engines, slick interior appointments and great handling. Drive one, and you could have style and performance in one sharp little package.

Wildcat Features Worth Knowing:

• Introduced in 1963
• Personal luxury character
• Aggressive performance potential
• Sporty interior trim
• Four-door version added

In 1967, Buick added a four-door. Not only did that make the Wildcat more appealing to more buyers and boost sales, it provided another reason for Wildcat enthusiasts to get their hands on a car that combined Oldsmobile-style class with musclecar muscle. For gearheads not so into the now-familiar musclecars, the Wildcat provides something a little different. Thanks to its combination of classy styling and punchy performance, this classic Buick is one of the more memorable non-muscle car Musclecars of the decade.

8. Oldsmobile Cutlass

Despite the fact that Oldsmobile no longer exists as an automaker, it once held a notable position in General Motors’ American car makers. Olds was a top player in the muscle car era during the early ’60s and produced many unique muscle cars that should have great appeal to brand fans. For those targeting a classic Oldsmobile muscle car but wanting to pass on the high-dollar models, a used, well-preserved Cutlass model with two-door coupe or convertible styling makes for an appealing option. As a practical size for the market class it occupied, the Cutlass line hit the high points of its success as one of the best sellers and formed the mechanical platform for the famous 442 muscle car.

Why The Cutlass Deserves Attention:

• Defunct Oldsmobile heritage
• Strong muscle car connection
• Two-door coupe option
• Convertible body style
• Basis for 442 package

So the Cutlass makes a nice blend of economy and performance history. And it’s hardly synonymous with performance, so its association with the 442 further enhances its appeal to buyers who want a true piece of Oldsmobile muscle car history. A well kept example can still provide Oldsmobile’s muscle car’s sharp look and feel without the need for the extreme effort needed for a rarer performance model, making it a good buy for enthusiasts on a reasonable budget.

9. Mercury Cougar

The Mercury Cougar was essentially based on the Ford Mustang chassis underpinnings but Mercury went so far as to widen the wheelbase on the Cougar by a few inches for a broader stance and a better ride and interior space. The Cougar was available only with V8 engines whereas Mustang would continue offering smaller six-cylinder models for entry level buyers. Mercury gave the Cougar a completely separate look with unique body panels, a more aggressive front-end styling, standalone front grille, special hidden headlights and a luxurious interior featuring padded instrument cluster dash and plush leather seats.

What Sets The Cougar Apart:

• Stretched Mustang platform
• Exclusive V8 engines
• Unique body panels
• Hidden headlight design
• Plush leather interior

Even though the Cougar was basically a more refined version of the Mustang, it proved to be a successful model in its own right. Its blend of performance-oriented mechanical equipment and added comfort succeeded in carving out a unique niche in Mercury’s lineup. The Cougar was initially offered only as a coupe, with convertibles arriving in 1969. For anyone looking for a vintage car based on a platform shared with the Mustang, but with a more upscale personality, the Cougar is a particularly compelling option.

10. Dodge Coronet

Many connect the Dodge Coronet with the muscle cars of the late 1960s, but it was also something of an affordable, everyday sedan, along with a practical station wagon. Yes, you can find a few 440 or Hemi-equipped Coronet muscle cars in the six-figure range, but even Coronet sedans with six cylinders or smaller V8s are still quite affordable. These full-size sedans of the 1960s still have a classic presence, but without the on-road presence of their muscle car brethren, and they are also quite affordable to own and repair with the garage tools.

Why The Coronet Makes A Great Starter Classic:

• Six-cylinder options available
• Small V8 configurations
• Full-size classic presence
• Simple garage maintenance
• Accessible vintage entry point

That is what makes the Coronet a very appealing package for a new potential vintage car enthusiast. You can get the era’s styling, proportions and feel and character without the hassle of seeking out one of the pricier performance models. To a rookie, the six-cylinder or small V8 Coronet sedan could prove an inviting initial plunge into classic American vehicles.