Nine beloved cars that were part of the lives of Spaniards in the sixties

The democratisation of the car in Spain had a name of its own: the Seat 600. Produced between 1957 and 1973, it helped put an entire country on wheels. The Spanish market at the time was small, and few families could afford to own a car.

In 1964, for example, registrations were close to 300,000 units, thanks in large part to this model. In addition, the offer was limited and there were few options to choose from.

During the 1960s there was an industrial push in Spain and, little by little, the offer of new vehicle models grew.

However, during the 1960s there was an industrial boost in Spain and, little by little, the offer of new vehicle models grew and began to offer interesting alternatives. This list shows some of the most beloved and admired vehicles of the time, most of them with a common factor: simplicity and practicality.

Other models that also played a leading role during those years were the Simca 1000, the Citroën DS , the Dodge Dart manufactured by Barreiros, the Pegaso Z-102, the Comarth 575 and the Hispano Suiza 2000 GT. In most cases, these were very exclusive models with very high prices. Logically, they were rarely seen on the winding and narrow Spanish roads of the time.

Read also 1. Citroën 2 CV

This iconic and simple French model, 3.86 m long, which had been manufactured since 1948, began production at the Citroën Hispania factory in Vigo in 1959 and was then when it began to triumph in the Spanish market. Its extreme simplicity was reflected in its engine of just 425 cc, which produced a mere 12 hp of power and allowed it to reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h. In the Spanish market there were 2 CV van and 2 CV passenger car versions.

2. Citroën Dyane 6

Launched in 1967 and produced in Spain in Vigo, the Dyane 6 was in high demand in our market. Designed to take advantage of the existing 2 CV assembly lines, it offered a more attractive design, better finishes and a practical and more accessible tailgate. It offered the possibility of folding down the rear seats and was a total sales success, with more than 233,000 units manufactured in Vigo.

3. Peugeot 504

At the end of the decade, in 1968, the 504 was introduced to society, to replace the 404. It was a car that incorporated innovations such as power-assisted disc brakes or independent rear suspension, combined with luxurious equipment for the time. The first versions were equipped with a 1.6-litre engine, with 77 hp of power, or a 2-litre engine, with 89 hp. This model was also manufactured at the Citroën factory in Vigo, until 1980.

4. Renault 4L

Made in Spain and available on the Spanish market since 1964, the popular 4L forged a success story thanks to its simplicity and robustness. The 4L in its local version used an 845 cc engine with a maximum power of 30 hp and a year later some improvements were introduced such as more comfortable seats or bumpers from the R8. From 1968, this model improved its performance, thanks to a new engine that raised the power to 35 hp. It was manufactured in Valladolid until 1989.

5. Renault 6

At the end of this decade, the Renault 6 was launched at the 1968 Paris Motor Show. A year later, production began in Valladolid and it was a best-seller in Spain from then on. Practical, functional and based on the R4, it was initially equipped with an 845 cc engine already used in the Dauphine, but later received updates that improved its mechanical response.

6. Renault 8

Launched in 1962, this French model of the C segment was sold in Spain and was so successful that it was produced by FASA Renault in Valladolid until 1976. With a length of 3.99 m, the first generation was equipped with a longitudinal rear engine of one litre displacement, capable of producing 44 hp of maximum power. Its simplicity and robustness were its best arguments.

7. Seat 850

Based on the Fiat 850, Seat launched the 850 model in 1966 and it became the average saloon for many Spanish families who needed something more than a 600. It had different bodies, with four-doors predominating. This model was 3.57 m long and the first version was equipped with an 843 cc engine -located in the rear of the vehicle- with 37 hp of power. It was manufactured until 1974, with a total production of 662,832 units.

8. Seat 850 Sport

Designed by Bertone and also known as the Spider, it was born in 1969. It was a beautiful two-seater convertible, commissioned to complete the range of the popular Seat 850. Equipped with a 903 cc engine and 52 HP of power, this unique model has been the only series-produced convertible in the history of Seat and a total of 1,746 units were registered, until its production ceased in 1972.

9. Seat 1500

Following the launch of the 600, Seat expanded its range with a large family saloon to replace the 1400 A. Measuring 4.46 m in length and with a style comparable to American saloons, it was presented at the Barcelona Trade Fair in 1963 and was the first adaptation of the Fiat range. It was equipped with a four-cylinder engine that produced 72 hp and was capable of reaching 140 km/h. It was manufactured until 1972 and more than 140,000 units were sold.