The 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s

Retrowow is an online resource about the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. On this site we have articles about life in Britain in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. We have guides to the style of these four decades and discussions of life in the past.

By the author of this web site The G-Plan Revolution

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Special feature: how to buy retro furniture

Retro furniture is as popular as ever. Read our unique guide on how to get genuine retro bargains.

How to buy retro furniture

New feature: Parker Knoll

Retro object of the week:
Spirograph

Spirograph caused a sensation when it was launched in 1965. As well as winning Toy of the Year, its geometric patterns inspired fashion design in the 60s.

Previous retro objects:70s LED watch   Retro soda syphon

Ronson Varaflame   Aqua Manda   Retro clocks   Kenwood Chef

For retro objects that captured the spirit of their times, see Retro collectibles

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Special feature: motorway services in the 60s

In the 60s, motorway services were novel and glamorous. They offered fine dining and relaxed facilities.

60s motorway service stations

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Special feature: classic 60s sports cars

Which was best: MGB or Triumph TR4, Austin Healey Sprite or Triumph Spitfire? Read our guide to classic sports cars of the sixties, based what the motoring press thought at the time.

Classic 60s sports cars

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Retro sideboards

Sideboards are making a comeback. In the sixties, the classic Scandinavian style sideboard in teak or rosewood was a status symbol in the modern home. Sideboards are gaining popularity in new contemporary or retro style furniture, as well as original furniture from the 50s, 60s and 70s.

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G-Plan is cool

A few years ago, the original G-Plan furniture from the fifties, sixties and seventies was considered little more than junk. It is now firmly back in fashion. Selfridges have opened a small department selling G-Plan and everyone is talking about it.

On Retrowow we've always thought G-Plan was great. We've celebrated the return of G-Plan with a new book The G-Plan Revolution which describes the G-Plan phenomenon - how G-Plan transformed the British furniture industry in the sixties as much as the Beatles transformed the pop music theme. See G-Plan

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G-Plan Revolution

We are delighted to announce that 'The G-Plan Revolution' won the Wallpaper* Magazine Design Awards 2008 Best Library Award.

See The G-Plan Revolution.

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Your town in the 60s:

Retrowow looks around the country at town centres in the 60s. 60s architecture is surprisingly still unpopular. 50s, 60s and 70s buildings are still being destroyed. May be you loved your town in the 60: you might have had a favourite pub or coffee bar. Let us know...

• Your town in the 60s
• Britain in the 60s

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