The Sensational Sixties

When I first talked with Vintage Racecar editor Casey Annis in 2005, the conversation revolved around the subject of me writing about the fifties, the fabulous fifties as it were. After all, this was what I was known for. I had written seven books about the decade. One of my first columns was titled “A Unique Era” (November 2005). (If you missed it, you can get a copy of the issue by calling 562-493-0737 or go online to sportscardigest.com.) In it, I discussed why that time was so different than those that came before and after.

I’m not running out of fifties things to write about yet, but recently I’ve been turning my attention to the sixties. Three of my 2009 columns were about my good and close friend, Carroll Shelby and his activities since he quit racing after 1960. Recently re-reading Sam Posey’s excellent Road & Track article (August 2002), “Racing’s Golden Age of Speed,” I was reminded that the sixties were as unique as the previous decade. Sam called it “fantastic.” But it’s more alliterative to name it sensational.