While the exact year is not explicitly stated in the book, several details point to the early to mid-1960s:
* Clothing and hairstyles: The characters' fashion and hairstyles are consistent with the early 1960s, particularly among the Greasers.
* Social context: The book touches on social issues like gang violence, class division, and the Vietnam War, all relevant to the 1960s.
* Cars: The cars mentioned in the book, such as the Mustang and the Corvette, were popular models in the 1960s.
Though the exact year remains ambiguous, the 1960s setting is a defining aspect of the story.