Last week, I started writing the weekly Fun Car Facts posts.  It was so fun to read your emails because everyone was reminiscing about the good ol’ days and what their favorite cars were from the 1960′s. 

If you would like to swap car stories, send me a tip, photo or have a cool car story or link to share, send me an email!  You can send it to: tmockmore@gmail.com. 

This week, I’m taking you back to 1961 when the Peace Corps was brand new, Barbie’s boyfriend Ken was first introduced to the world and everybody under the age of 25 had a Duncan Yo-Yo, did the Twist and listened to the surfin’ sounds of The Beach Boys.

Fun Car Facts: 1961

AMC

• AMC introduced the 12,000 mile/12 month warranty.
• Most expensive of the Rambler line was the 8-seat Ambassador Custom Wagon, which would set you back $3,111.00.
• All Ramblers could be ordered with reclining seats and a split back front bench that folded flush with the rear seat cushion.
• The very first AMC Rambler convertible was available for $2,369.00 and by the end of 1961, it found 12,918 buyers.

Chrysler

• Chrysler finally kills the DeSoto.
• The Imperial LeBaron Southampton hardtop 4-door was the most expensive Chrysler of the year, tagged at $6,426.00.
• Chrysler introduced the Newport (the automobile not the cigarette!)
• Due to allegations of mis-management and poor sales, Chrysler president Tex Colbert was forced out of the company and replaced by Lynn Townsend.
• Chrysler and Plymouth join forces with a merger.

Dodge

• Dodge built 183,561 Darts in 1961.
• The most expensive Dodge Lancer was the $2,499.00 wagon.

Ford

• Ford edged Chevy by 20,776 in its model year productions.
• Ford began to support sanctioned racing.
• The Lincoln Continental goes topless, introducing the first convertible of the line.
• Ford and Mercury offer 12,000 mile/12 month warranties.
• Ford sold 200,000 Fairlanes in 1961.

GMC

• Big Chevy’s lose their tailfins!
• Corvair gains a station wagon model.
• GM finally introduces the 12,000 mile/12 month warranty.
• Automatic transmission becomes standard.
• Oldsmobile names its compact car F-85, while Buick calls its new compact the Special and prices it between $2,300.00 and 2,816.00.
• The Buick Skylark is introduced mid-year and sells 12,683 models.
• A Coupe DeVille would set you back $5,252.00.
• The best selling Chevy of 1961 was the Monza Coupe with a sticker price of $2,201.00. Chevy moved over 100,000 of these cars off the lots and into driveways that year.
• The cheapest Oldsmobile was the Dynamic 88 coupe, priced at $2,956.00.

Foreign

• Foreign cars were banned from the 8th annual Japanese Auto Show.
• The English-built Jensen 541-12 landed in the States with a sticker price of $7,750.00.

Top 10 Imports 1961

1. Volkswagen 177,308
2. Renault 44,122
3. Mercedes-Benz 12,903
4. Volvo 12,787
5. Fiat 11,839
6. Triumph 11,683
7. Austen-Healey 8,935
8. MG 8,806
9. English Ford 8,660
10. Metropolitan 8,657

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