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Question: Car engine shuts down when heating, what to do?

Hi! Thanks for your precious help.

I just bought a Ford Sunline 1960. I took it for a 2, 2h30 ride. At the end of my ride, I got into very heavy traffic, bumper to bumper for 5-7 blocks. Before that the traffic was either fluid or moderately heavy.

When I just finished the heavy traffic part, the engine just shut off while I was driving. I pulled over to the side, let the car sit for 5-10 min with the hood open and then it started again, just to die again 2-3 blocks later. I let it cool off again and then it started again. It started again. Then died again. I let it sit for 15 min, hood open. Then I was able to make it home.

My understanding is that these cars did not have security shuts-off, so what is happening? The car had the gauge to the end of the circle, or a hair further towards the H. It was very hot but nothing that the mechanic that reviewed it told me would be a problem. In the manual of the car, they seem to say that the car can reach the H and then I should just stop the car and wait for it to cool down... Well, here it was far away from the H and the engine cut off...

Any thoughts about what it could be? If it is because the car overheats, what can I do to have it not overheat even if heavy traffic?

Please give me exhaustive list of options.

Many, many thanks!

Anne-Sophie