Car of the Year 1961

The Pontiac Tempest was Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1961. It was a compact car with a rear-mounted Corvair transaxle with a combined differential and transmission which gave it a 50/50 weight distribution.  Road & Track also praised the Tempest as the  best utility car since the Model-A Ford.

The 1961 Continental

It was two feet shorter than pervious years with the infamous rear "Suicide Doors" which opened from the front (all models were 4 doors). The first American car with a full 24,000 mile or 2-year warranty.

A special convertible model, the SS-100-X was purchased by the Secret Service as a presidential parade limousine. It soon became the car  remembered by most of the world.

Dinah Shore - Chevys of 1961

The Races 1961

The tail lights of the 1961 Thunderbird gave it the nickname The Bullet Bird until styling changed in 1964.

Wisconsin requires seat belts in front outboard seat positions.