American Cars, 1960-1972: Every Model, Year by Year

944 Pages·2004·13.48 MB·english

by  J. Kelly Flory

American Cars,
¡960–¡972
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American Cars,
¡960–¡972
Every Model, Year by Year
J. “K ” F , J .
ELLY LORY R
McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Jefferson, North Carolina, and London
Acknowledgments: Compiling a book of this scope required the help and input of several people whom
I would like to publicly thank. First o›, I want to thank my parents, John and Mary Jean Flory, and my friend,
Dan Reinheimer, for encouraging me to write this book. Without their positive attitudes and helpful ideas, this
project would not have happened. A special thanks is owed to my mom who spent many hours toiling over the
pictures within this book, making sure each was ready for publishing. I also want to thank my friends Tom Mil-
lard and Brian Atwell. They provided many pieces of sales literature to help complete the pictures within this
book. Space does not permit me to acknowledge individually the many other people whose input, ideas, and en-
couragement made this book a reality, but they know who they are, and I want them to know that their help was
appreciated. Thank you to all.
Advertising slogans and pictures of original sales literature come from the following sources: American Mo-
tors Corporation, Chrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, and Studebaker-
Packard Corporation.
Other resources include the National Automobile Dealers (N.A.D.A.) Used Car Guides, published by Na-
tional Automobile Dealers Association, 2000 K, N.W., Washington, DC 20006; Motor magazine, published by
The Hearst Corporation, 250 West 55th St., New York, NY ¡00¡9; and the NATB Motor Vehicle Identification
Manual, published by Palmer Publications Company, Downers Grove, IL 605¡5.
LIBRARYOFCONGRESSCATALOGUING-IN-PUBLICATIONDATA
Flory, J. “Kelly” Jr.
American cars, ¡960–¡972 : every model, year by year / J. “Kelly”
Flory, Jr.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-¡3: 978-0-7864-1273-0
illustrated case binding : 50# alkaline paper
¡. Automobiles—United States—History. 2. Automobile industry
and trade—United States—History. I. Title.
TL23.F59 2004 629.222'0973—dc22 200302248¡
British Library cataloguing data are available
©2004 J. “Kelly” Flory, Jr. All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying
or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publisher.
Cover image: ¡966 Dodge Coronet convertible.
Manufactured in the United States of America
McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Box 6¡¡, Je›erson, North Carolina 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
Contents
Abbreviations
vi
Preface
1
Introduction
5
¡960 ¡967
¡3 484
¡96¡ ¡968
76 557
¡962 ¡969
¡40 63¡
¡963 ¡970
202 707
¡964 ¡97¡
268 784
¡965 ¡972
339 862
¡966
409
Index
937
v
Preface
The ¡960s are defined in the automotive world by imports,” or foreign-built automobiles that were imported,
muscle cars, almost to the exclusion of any other type of ve- sometimes rebadged, and sold by each major Detroit man-
hicle. The decade and the vehicle type have become syn- ufacturer under one of its nameplates—such cars as the
onymous in the popular memory, much as fins shape today’s Dodge Colt, the Plymouth Cricket, the Ford Cortina and
notions of the fifties. Therefore, although this book in- Anglia, the Mercury Capri and the Opels sold by Buick.
cludes all categories of cars, its period of coverage is the Not until the fuel crisis that began in ¡973 would these
muscle car era, which continued into the early seventies. small imported cars become a truly significant part of auto
Arranged year by year, this book includes all cars sales in the United States. In the years ¡960–¡972, these cars
o›ered for sale in the United States by major American sold in small numbers, and thus are not included in this
manufacturers from model years ¡960 through ¡972. For book.
each of these model years, the reader will find an overview
of developments in or a›ecting the automobile industry,
followed by an annual status report of each nameplate and Make and Model Listings
extensive data about every model sold that year: produc-
tion numbers, pricing, specifications and dimensions, stan- LISTING BY MAKE
dard equipment and major options, paint color choices,
running changes from the previous model year, and other Introduction. Each make is listed alphabetically
information. A detailed description of the make and model within a yearly grouping. Following the make’s name is its
listings appears below. main advertising slogan for the year, taken directly from
Trucks are not included, but each year’s commentary factory sales literature. Next is a short overview of what
includes brief remarks on events surrounding truck pro- was new for the year, including styling, powertrain and
duction by the major car manufacturers. Likewise, limited model lineup changes.
production models and the products of small, independent Sales, pricing and production information. This
makes are not covered in full, but are noted briefly within section includes sales totals for the model year (unless oth-
the text. The Checker, for example, though an interesting erwise noted), percentage share of the make’s production
car in its own right, did not have an established dealer net- as compared to the entire industry, and the make’s ranking
work to sell to the general public; most of its vehicles in- amongst its competitors. Following the sales information is
stead were sold for fleet service. The Checker therefore is pricing information that includes the industry average base
not covered in full herein. (It is worth noting that Checker price for the year, the make’s average base price, and its
vehicles changed little during this time period, beyond en- pricing range. Also listed is the make’s date of model year
gine choices and the addition of federally mandated safety introduction if available, or if not, the month of introduc-
equipment.) Also, during the early sixties, Imperial o›ered tion. Listed next are the various assembly plants in which
a Crown Limousine model that was actually built by a the cars were manufactured and their appropriate coding,
coachbuilder outside Chrysler. Since production generally if available, for decoding the Vehicle Identification Number.
numbered between seven and fifteen cars a year, that model Data plate identification. This section breaks down
is not included. the various parts of the individual cars’ Vehicle Iden-
Another notable exclusion is the category of “captive tification Number (VIN). The meaning of each digit or
1
Preface 2
letter of the VIN is identified and an example of a complete such a manner. This is only a general guideline, and there
VIN is given. For many of the older cars (particularly prior are exceptions, such as with Chevrolet: the Corvette is listed
to ¡965), the body style cannot be determined from the last because it is the prestige model in the line, and the
VIN, but can be found on the body plate located some- manufacturer always promoted it as such. Following each
where upon the body of the car. Since body style is gener- model name is its main advertising slogan for the year,
ally self-evident on this vintage of car, an identification again taken directly from factory sales literature.
chart for body plates is not given. Historical overview of the model.Following the in-
Powertrains. The chart presented in this section lists troduction is a section containing a few facts on the model,
all known engine and transmission combinations that were including the year the model first appeared, other models
o›ered at the time of the model introduction. In a few in- built from the same or similar platform, length of time the
stances, there were engines o›ered (generally for racing pur- same basic body was used and models that preceded and
poses) on special order, and these may not be included followed the current one. Also listed is the percentage of the
within the chart. Also, some manufacturers o›ered over- manufacturer’s total sales recorded by this model, and then
drive transmissions as an optional feature, but did not list a general description of changes for the model year in ques-
them with their powertrain accessories, but as a conve- tion. The phrase “totally redesigned” indicates basically a
nience feature. If that is the case, then an available over- new car from the ground up, whereas “totally restyled” in-
drive transmission may not be listed, even though it was dicates a car new in appearance, but still utilizing a simi-
o›ered. Pricing information is given whenever an accurate lar chassis or powertrains within the new body. “Corporate
price could be determined. The prices listed are for the en- siblings” are any cars manufactured by the parent company
gine and transmission together. For example, if a V-8 en- sharing most major components, including chassis and
gine with automatic transmission is listed as an option for body. “Competitive makes” are any direct competitors, and
a car that had a 6-cylinder engine with 3-speed manual on occasion some models that are indirect competition. For
transmission as standard equipment, and the chart says the example, the AMC Ambassador was a car with no real com-
V-8 and automatic is a $350 option, that price is for the petitors throughout most of the sixties. However, it was
two options combined. This amount would be added to the viewed as a luxury type car, and could be considered com-
base price of the car. If accurate pricing is not available, that petition for the higher end Ford, Chevrolet and Plymouth
will be stated within the text. full-size cars, even though the Ambassador itself was not a
Major options. This is a chart listing the most pop- full-size car. It was actually more of a mid-size car, and was
ular or most heavily promoted options available across the classified as a luxury compact by American Motors.
full line of cars. Generally this would include air condi- Standard equipment. This is a listing of the basic
tioning, power steering, power brakes, radio, wheel covers, standard features for the model. Certain equipment is con-
whitewall tires, and certain power accessories. Certain op- sidered to be standard on all models during given time pe-
tions are included when they were at a peak in popularity. riods, and is not listed to conserve space. This list is based
For the most part, option packages are not listed, as they upon equipment deemed as standard by the manufacturer
often varied in price and content depending upon model according to factory literature. Certain safety equipment
or body style that they were applied to and could not be became standard on all cars during ¡966 and ¡968, and will
listed for space reasons. Option packages that are included not be included in this listing.
are those that would become, or had been, part of a model Models available. This is a chart listing all models
line, such as the Pontiac GTO option, or the Olds 4-4-2. available under a model nameplate throughout the season.
Paint colors. This is a listing of all colors o›ered dur- On many cars, particularly in the late sixties, cars were
ing the model year. Some colors were o›ered only on cer- o›ered in a 6-cylinder and a V-8 line. An example would
tain models; such cases are noted whenever possible. Some be the Chevrolet Chevelle or the Studebaker Lark. Where
manufacturers o›ered certain colors only on special order, this is the case they generally had di›erent body style num-
and that may not be designated in the listings. In general, bers, but the listings will show the lowest priced o›ering,
this listing includes colors o›ered throughout the year as with the larger engine listed as optional, even though they
well as spring color introductions if any were made. were technically an individual model listing. This is done
to keep the listings uniform between makes. Also, certain
MODEL LISTINGS makes did not keep records by individual body style and
trim level (particularly Chevrolet and Dodge), so produc-
Introduction. Each model is listed, starting at the tion is listed as it was available, with footnotes explaining
lowest priced or smallest model and continuing through how the production is listed. Some manufacturers gave their
the highest priced or largest model o›ered by the manu- two- and three-seat station wagons di›erent model num-
facturer. Usually manufacturers promoted their models in bers, but kept production as one total, and this will be
3 Preface
noted if known. Base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price agreed upon by an outside institution that eliminated the
(MSRP) is listed as of the beginning of the model year, un- significant di›erences being reported by manufacturers. A
less otherwise noted. During the late sixties and early sev- clue applicable to many cars is that if the headroom is
enties, manufacturers were known to change pricing nu- around the 33 to 34 inch range, it is probably the mini-
merous times throughout the season, sometimes higher and mum figure. If it is around 38 to 39 inches, it is most likely
sometimes lower, so pricing figures may di›er from other the maximum figure. The di›erence comes into play be-
sources. The columns for change from LY (last year) on cause of the seat being placed fully forward (minimum) or
pricing and the production show the increase or decrease fully to the rear (maximum). Similar di›erences can be
in each and how they a›ected one another. Finally, the col- found in the cargo capacity segment, where some manu-
umn for weight is most often the shipping weight, which facturers reported “usable cargo capacity,” which accounts
does not include such things as fuel and oil. Curb weight for the spare tire or other consumers of space. Other man-
(not used here) would be slightly higher and includes fuel, ufacturers would report “total cargo capacity.”
oil and other items in its total weight.
Measurements.In general, most of the measurements
Further Reading
are for 4-Door Sedan models, when that model is available
in a line. If a 4-Door model is not o›ered then measure-
ments are for the lowest priced model in the line, or a note The author would recommend that anyone interested
explains which model is represented. For the most part, in learning more about the industry look into books on or
measurements such as wheelbase, length, width, luggage by the many notable men and women that characterized the
capacity, and fuel tank capacity are the same amongst all automotive world during this time period. Names of im-
variants of a model. Where there are significant di›erences, portance during the sixties include Virgil Exner, Lee Ia-
they are listed if available. Two measurements that may cocca, George Romney, and John Z. Delorean, among
vary among models are headroom and legroom. Some man- many others. Books of this type can often give a contrast-
ufacturers and sources publish the minimum headroom and ing view of how the corporations worked, as many of these
some publish the maximum headroom. Often they do not people came from the engineering or finance sides of the
identify which measurement they are using. In general, it company as opposed to the sales and marketing side. Var-
is common for measurements on vehicles prior to ¡963 to ious marque-specific histories and reference books are also
use the minimum headroom, and after ¡966 to use the max- available, and automotive magazines from the era can still
imum headroom. Between ¡963 and ¡966, measurements be found fairly readily.
were reported both ways, and then finally a standard was
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