A Guide to 1962 Cars
From luxury sedans to trusty pickups, these are the best 1962 cars.
Written by Ethan Moser
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
While the Lincoln Continental was the best-selling car of 1962, cars like the Cadillac deVille and the Ferrari 250 GTO were also stand-outs that year.
1962 saw the introduction of a number of car models that have since been cemented in automotive history, including the speedy Ferrari 250 GTO and the best-selling
Lincoln Continental.
Ready to learn more about the best cars 1962 had to offer? You’ve come to the right place!
Jerry
, the car insurance
comparison shopping super app
, has compiled this comprehensive guide to the best 1962 models from luxury sedans to pickup trucks to sports cars. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best cars of 1962. 
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The best cars of 1962
Before we get started, you’ll notice that the bulky SUV body type that is so popular today is missing from this list. This is because the first SUV wasn’t introduced until 1984, when the
Jeep Cherokee
hit the market. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at five of the best cars from 1962. The best car of 1962: Lincoln Continental
KBB fair market range: N/A
Powertrain: 430 cubic-inch V-8 engine with a three-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
Offering 300 horsepower, drum brakes, and automatically dimming headlights, the 1962 Lincoln Continental was the best selling car of the year. Available as a four-door sedan or a four-door convertible, the Continental was only the second car in history to be sold with a two-year/24,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty in the U.S.
The best luxury car of 1962: Cadillac deVille
KBB fair market range: N/A
Powertrain: 6.4-liter V-8 engine with a four-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
The 1962
Cadillac deVille
offered the brand’s most lavishly-outfitted interior to date, making it a great choice for luxury car of the year. Featuring a smooth and quiet V-8 engine, the deVille has been called “America’s favorite luxury car” by Notorious Luxury. New design features on the 1962 deVille included tapered tail fins for an elegant and refined appearance as well as an all-new pillarless four-window hardtop roofline. Drivers in the ‘60s could choose between four solid-color leather upholstery options. Air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, and Soft-Ray glass were all standard features on the ‘62 deVille.
The best family car of 1962: Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
KBB fair market range: N/A
Powertrain: 6.4-liter V-8 engine with a four-speed ‘Hydra-Matic’ automatic transmission
What makes it special:
Cadillac really impressed in 1962, claiming two of our top five favorite cars of the year. Boasting the same powerful 325-horsepower engine as the deVille, the 1962 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz included standard power-adjustable seating, power brakes, power steering, and electric windows. Hemmings describes the ‘62 Eldorado as “the most beautiful Cadillac ever produced in the modern era.”
The Fisher Body open-air cabin featured all-leather upholstery, ample head and leg room, and a convertible top. While the Eldora Biarritz only sold for $6,610 in 1962, today you can expect to pay between $35,000 and $80,000 on a used one, depending on its condition.
The best sports car of 1962: Ferrari 250 GTO
KBB fair market range: N/A
Powertrain: Tipo 168/62 Colombo V-12 engine
What makes it special:
1962 marked the debut of one of the world’s all-time greatest sports cars—the Ferrari 250 GTO. Powered by Ferrari’s 296-horsepower Tipo 168/62 Colombo V-12 engine, the 250 GTO was originally produced for homologation into the FIA’s Group 3 Grand Touring Car category. The racer could power from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and reach maximum speeds of 174 mph.
Produced from 1962 to 1964, only 36 250 GTOs were ever made. The sports car has accumulated a long list of awards including being listed in Sports Car International’s Top Sports Cars of the 1960s, as well as being called the “Greatest Ferrari of All Time” by Motor Trend Classic and the “Hottest Car of All Time” by Popular Mechanics.
The best truck of 1962: Chevrolet C/K Series
KBB fair market range: N/A
Powertrain: 3.9-liter V-6 engine or a 4.6-liter V-8 engine with a three-speed synchromesh manual transmission
What makes it special:
The C/K-series of pickups was only introduced in 1960, but by 1962, the line-up was finding its stride. The ‘62 C/K featured a dropped frame for easier loading, a roomy interior, and an independent front suspension for a smoother ride. The base engine was a 3.9-liter V-6 engine producing 135 horsepower and 216 lb-ft of torque, though you could upgrade to a 4.6-liter V-8 engine that produced 160 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque.
Heaters, seatbelts, windshield wipers, and sunvisors—staples of every car today—were all optional add-on features on the 1962
Chevy
C/K. What cars came out in 1962?
In addition to the cars we’ve listed above, there were plenty of ground-breaking models that made their debut in 1962. Let’s take a closer look at some of them in the table below.
Model | Vehicle type | Base engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|---|---|
compact car | 1.3L I4 | 91 hp | |
Buick Wildcat | full-size car | 6.6L V-8 | 325 hp |
Chevrolet 400 | compact car | 3.2L I4 | 106 hp |
Dodge 330 | full-size car | 3.7L I6 | 425 hp |
Ferrari 250 GTO | sports car | 2.9L V-12 | 296 hp |
Ford Cortina | compact car | 1.2L I4 | 78 hp |
Mercury S-55 | full-size car | 5.4L V-8 | 300 hp |
Porsche 804 | racecar | 1.5L I-8 | 177 hp |
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How to save money on used car insurance
If you’re interested in purchasing one of the vintage classic cars we’ve listed, you’re in luck! Purchasing and
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, is typically less expensive compared to a new one! You can also save even more on car insurance when you
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What was the most popular car in 1962?
The 1962 Lincoln Continental was the best-selling car of the year according to Reader’s Digest.
What was the fastest car in 1962?
With a maximum speed of 158 mph, the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO was the fastest car of the year.
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