Video: Cruising the Streets of San Francisco in the ’60s

Okay, car spotters. Here’s a real treat for you: a ride through the streets of San Francisco in the early 1960s via cable car. See how many classic ’50s and ’60s cars you can identify.

 

The exact year of this lovely old color film is not specified, but based on the cars we saw, we’d say late 1963 or early 1964. However, there is no doubt whatsoever about the venue: this is San Francisco, the city like no other. The film, digitally restored and enhanced by a YouTuber who calls himself NASS, is a point-of-view journey through the streets via the city’s most famous form of transportation, cable car. The cable system has been in operation there since 1873 and it’s still running today, though mainly for tourists.

When we first saw the film, we were struck by the stupendous variety of vehicles on the streets of the city. Along with lots of Checker cabs in yellow enamel, Lincolns and Thunderbirds, and Cadillacs of all years, we spotted a gorgeous Jaguar E-Type convertible with wide whitewalls and even an Amphicar. See how how many classic ’50s and ’60s machines you can identify. Video below.

 

5 thoughts on “Video: Cruising the Streets of San Francisco in the ’60s

  1. guessing it was shot in ’63
    did not spot any cars newer than that.
    lots of 62-63 Chevrolets, but almost no new Fords……

  2. I saw that same VW bug several times in the Bullitt movie.

    Quite an interesting video

  3. A few early 50s Chryslers & DeSotos – a 55 Dodge wagon, a 49-53 Studebaker pickup – Nice video – thanks for the post.

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