There’s something about stepping into a well-preserved classic that just feels different. Before touchscreens and molded plastics took over, car interiors were crafted with materials that had some actual heft. These cabins weren’t just places to sit—they were part of the car’s personality. Whether trimmed in real wood, chrome, or stitched leather, the interiors on this list still turn heads and hold up decades later. Here are ten classic car interiors that still feel special when you open the door.
1956 Continental Mark II
The Mark II wasn’t flashy, but it was one of the most expensive American cars of its time. Its interior featured hand-selected leather, real chrome trim, and a dashboard layout that felt more aircraft than automobile. Everything was assembled with a level of care that Ford never really repeated. With production costs exceeding $10,000 per unit in the mid-’50s, the Mark II was aimed squarely at Rolls-Royce buyers—and it showed in the cabin.
1963 Chrysler Imperial LeBaron
The Imperial’s interior played like a lounge on wheels. It featured push-button transmission controls, electroluminescent gauges, and deeply padded seats wrapped in leather or brocade. The squared-off steering wheel gave the dashboard a space-age feel. Chrysler spared no expense trying to position the Imperial against Cadillac and Lincoln, and the interior made a strong case. The whole thing felt like a luxury suite—just one that moved at highway speeds.
1967 Buick Riviera GS
The 1967 Riviera combined muscle and elegance in a way few coupes managed. The cockpit-style dash was angled toward the driver and featured rolling drum gauges with aircraft-inspired design. Bucket seats were wide and bolstered, trimmed in leather or high-grade vinyl. The center console housed a floor shifter and optional power accessories. Buick wanted to build a personal luxury car that felt fast and upscale—and they nailed the interior layout.
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Coupe
Inside the 280SE 3.5, you were surrounded by real walnut, thick leather, and chrome accents that didn’t feel cheap. The dashboard was clean and symmetrical, with large, clear gauges and a Becker radio front and center. Mercedes built these cars by hand, and it’s obvious when you look closely. Production costs were high—north of $14,000 new—but the finish quality held up. Even today, the cabin feels like a high-end European salon.
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado
Oldsmobile’s front-drive Toronado was wild on the outside and just as radical inside. The dashboard featured a rolling speedometer, aircraft-style switches, and a two-spoke steering wheel that seemed straight out of a sci-fi movie. Designers went all-in on futurism, using brushed metal, unique stitching, and bold shapes. This wasn’t your grandfather’s Olds—it was a genuine design statement. For a car released in 1966, it still feels ahead of the curve.
1971 Citroën SM
The SM interior was pure French eccentricity—oval gauges, single-spoke steering wheel, and toggle switches arranged like a fighter jet. Citroën didn’t follow anyone’s playbook, and that made the cabin feel like nothing else on the road. Leather upholstery, deep carpeting, and sculpted bucket seats gave it a luxury feel, even if the layout was a little unconventional. The SM didn’t sell in huge numbers, but its cabin still gets attention for all the right reasons.
1964 Studebaker Avanti
The Avanti’s cockpit-style interior was designed with input from aircraft engineers. It featured padded safety panels, full instrumentation, and a dash layout angled toward the driver. Bucket seats, toggle switches, and a short-throw shifter made the cabin feel serious. Studebaker was on its last legs when the Avanti launched, but they pulled off something unique. It didn’t save the brand, but the interior design still feels well thought-out decades later.
1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
The Eldorado Brougham came fully loaded—power everything, deep pile carpeting, and brushed stainless on the roof and dash. Cadillac even included a set of magnetic perfume bottles and a stainless steel drink set. The rear seats were wide enough to lounge in, and the overall vibe was mid-century indulgence. With a price tag of over $13,000 at launch, it was twice the cost of a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. It remains one of the most opulent interiors GM ever built.
1970 Plymouth Barracuda Gran Coupe
Most people think muscle when they hear ‘Cuda, but the Gran Coupe was the upscale version. It came with faux wood trim, upgraded seat fabrics, extra insulation, and a lighted overhead console. The optional Rallye dash added a tach and multi-gauge cluster. It wasn’t just a straight-line car—it had enough interior polish to hold its own against pricier competition. For those who wanted a little class with their quarter-mile times, this was the move.
1969 Jaguar XJ6 Series I
The XJ6 interior nailed that blend of British formality and road-focused ergonomics. You got walnut veneers, Smiths gauges, toggle switches, and a deeply recessed dash. The seats were low and supportive, trimmed in Connolly leather, with real wool carpeting underfoot. Even though it cost far less than a Rolls, the XJ6 didn’t feel like a step down. It helped cement Jaguar’s rep for building serious driver’s cars with an upscale touch.
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