Luxury Cars From the 1960s to 2020s You Should Recognize

The automotive industry has reigned supreme in the transportation business for over a century. From the first “vehicle powered by a gas engine” patent by Mercedes-Benz in 1886, motor vehicles have changed how society functions. Soon the floodgate opened, and new car companies followed suit, including Fiat in 1899, Cadillac in 1901, and Ford in 1902. Cars have since become essential to commuters worldwide.

As time went on, technology advanced, leading to more sophisticated automobiles. Car companies realized that there was a market for people who could afford more. And with each decade, those cars became more and more luxurious. So here are luxury cars from the 1960s to 2020s you should recognize that impacted society and influenced other brands.

What Makes a Luxury Car?

When you think of “luxury,” you often associate it with sophistication and additional features that make the object in question stand out in aesthetics and functionality. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that luxury cars have increased performance, comfort, noise isolation, road handling abilities, and interior and exterior quality.

Many notable luxury car brands have impacted the car industry, such as Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Porsche, Maserati, and Ferrari, just to name a few. Compared to more accessible cars, luxury cars have a big reputation and price tag. The brands tend to resource harder-to-access materials and advanced technology, resulting in higher reliability, safety features, and handling.

Luxury Cars Through the Years

The cars of today broadly differ from the cars of 10 years ago. Because of the demand for luxury cars to go above and beyond for their dedicated owners, luxury brands have transformed the way the public thinks of vehicles. Here are some notable luxury cars from the 1960s to 2020s you should recognize while you’re out and about.

The 1960s

The 1960s was a unique high point in terms of car design. The era paved the way for luxury cars that looked and felt perfect for the upper class. It wasn’t only the economic vehicles, pony cars, and muscle cars that felt this change; many luxury cars helped truly define the decade.

A few notable cars from the 1960s include the 1962 Cadillac Coupe De Ville, the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage Coupe, the 1967 Maserati Quattroporte, and the 1969 Lincoln Continental Sedan. All offered style, comfort, and robust engines to rival muscle car brands. However, with the 1970s quickly approaching, cars changed even more with the demand for muscle cars.

The 1970s

The 1970s brought about coupes, increased comfort, and interest in the environment. But that didn’t stop many luxury car brands from making beautiful and iconic cars that stood the test of time. The 1970s created the Mercury Cougar between 1971 and 1973, which boosted personal luxury coupes in popularity.

A few memorable cars from the 1970s include the Cadillac Eldorado, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, the Maserati Bora, and the Ferrari 308 GTB. With the addition of suicide-doored four-door designs, increased horsepower, and a focus on having a flashy car, it’s no surprise that luxury cars from the 1970s are among the most memorable. As the 1980s came charging in, the boom in the economy changed luxury cars even more.

The 1980s

The auto industry underwent lots of changes in the 1980s. The US lost the top spot for being the largest auto-producing country compared to Japan. However, this also came with positive changes. Luxury vehicles saw improved safety, electronic ignition, front-wheel drive, fuel injection systems, and disc brakes. In Japan, luxury cars had higher profit margins with brands like Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti.

Some classic luxury cars from the 1980s include the 1984 Mercedes-Benz 190E, the 1985 Audi 5000, the 1989 Lexus LS 400, and the 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano Gold Automatic. Overall, the 1980s offered a boxier appearance for many luxury cars.

The 1990s

In previous decades, luxury cars were noticeably boxy, poorly proportioned, and lacked vehicle performance. However, in the 1990s, designers changed their sights from straight edges to curves and technological improvements. Additionally, emission requirements finally became prominent and significantly decreased the pollution output of vehicles.

A few notable luxury cars from the 1990s include the Audi A8, the BMW 7-Series, the Bentley Arnage, the Cadillac Escalade, the Porsche 968, and the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 500E. Because of the technological boom in the 1990s, cars came with cellular phone integration, installed CD players, and 5-liter V8 engines to stand out and make their drivers feel catered to.

The 2000s

As the new millennium came rolling through, it brought about change and the impact leading into the future. Many cars in the 2000s opened a whole new world of customizations, personal preferences, and higher quality. Luxury wasn’t solely about high build quality; it also focused on making a vehicle truly personal to the owner. Some fantastic cars that came with the new era included the Ranger Rover L322, the Bentley Fly Spur Speed, the Rolls-Royce Phantom, the Jaguar XJR, and the Maserati Quattroporte V.

The 2010s

With progressive visual designs, more bold changes, and a focus on sleek appeal, the cars of the 2010s were not that different from the automobiles of today. This period brought out cars that influenced later luxury models, with smooth curves, neutral colors, and customization options that included smartphone compatibility, hands-free technology, and GPS navigation. Luxury car brands also improved fuel efficiency, introduced green technology, and created slim and sleek designs.

A couple of stunning cars from the 2010s include the Audi R8 GT, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, and the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG.

Present Day

As you catch up to today’s cars, you’ll see an increased interest in electric vehicles. A more significant focus on environmental conservation, fuel efficiency, and increased speeds exists. With Tesla making its presence known, many luxury car brands have been working harder than ever to produce impressive cars that will draw crowds in. Although the 2020s are still in their early years, a few notable luxury cars include the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Audi A6, the Volvo S90, the Tesla Model X, and the Jaguar XF.

When you own a luxury car, you need to take care of it well. The last thing you want is to find scratches or scuffs in your car’s paint. That’s why we at TouchUpDirect provide the paint kits you need to cover up cosmetic damage. Our luxury vehicle paints, including our Lexus OEM touch up paint, will conceal pesky scratches.