Vehicle Description
The super-clean lines of this 1960 Chevrolet Impala were
ground-breaking when they were new, and remain popular with
collectors and customizers today. The '50s were well and truly
over, and the smooth styling of this Impala would lead the way into
a new decade. With a custom "Low-Rider" style paint job and slick
two-tone interior, this Imp has received a one-of-a-kind makeover
that's about as cool as they come.
Finished in a gorgeous Blue Metallic paint scheme with painted-on
pearl white graphics (colors are flipped on the hood) and hand-laid
light blue pinstripes, this is one fabulous-looking car. This
bespoke low-rider looks about a mile long, but thanks to a lot of
effort, the detailing is what catches your eye and the car has a
very high-quality feel to it when you slam the door. There were
still some vestigial tail fins in 1960, and many enthusiasts prefer
the flattened look of the '60. Three lights out back were still an
Impala trademark, and chrome was definitely still in fashion,
although it was a bit more restrained in 1960. Fortunately, all the
bright work on this lovely Imp is either re-chromed or fully
polished, including bumpers that sparkle against the paint, and
you'll delight in details like the jet-shaped side trim and
delicate stainless band that encircles the tail fins. The glass is
truly radical, and given how hard these curved pieces are to find,
you'll be thrilled to note that both front and rear wind screens
are in excellent shape. You'll also note the intricate details of
the custom paint job on the deck lid, the car's largest surface
area, punctuated by the dual antennas at the flanks. Man, what a
cool car!
There's a party inside too, with the two-tone blue and white
upholstery and bitchin' shag carpet leading the way. Finished with
high-quality materials and patterns, the dazzling interior of this
Impala is every bit as stylish and detailed as the body. With a
split bench, access to the spacious back seat is easy, and the door
panels feature the coolest armrest ever designed, emphasizing
Chevy's fascination with the jet age. The custom pinstriped dash
features a color-matched hood and five individual gauge pods to
relay information, while secondary controls are housed in a bright
metal strip running along the bottom edge, with a set of auxiliary
units under the dash as well. The blue steering wheel may look
familiar to Chevy fans, and it's nicely restored with a brightly
finished horn ring and button that makes it really pop. The
original AM radio is still in the dash, although entertainment is
now provided through an aftermarket AM/FM/CD head unit attached
underneath. The trunk is truly massive, as you'd imagine, and
includes yards of carpeting, custom finished panels, and all the
guts needed for the full airbag system to work as well as it
currently does.
Chevrolet offered an astounding FIVE versions of the 348 in the
Impala, and that's exactly what's in this car today. They didn't
take any shortcuts during the restoration, so it's vintage 1960
under the hood, right down to the original black air cleaner,
orange valve covers, and bright Chevy Orange paint on the engine.
Of course, a few modern accessories were added in as well,
including the power brake booster and dual master cylinder, the
modern alternator, and an aluminum radiator with dual electric fans
up front that keeps the whole show nice and cool. It's backed by a
700R4 4-speed automatic transmission with the original rear end out
back, and that overdrive gear is wonderful for longer distance
cruising. A Glasspack-style dual exhaust system sounds right and
snakes through the X-frame chassis and burbles away at cruising
speed. And like I mentioned before, the stance goes from low to
lower (along with several other killer settings) thanks to a
full-blown airbag system that is adjustable at every corner. With
handsome 14-inch Coker wide whitewall tires on chrome wheels with
bullet-style caps, you'll never get tired of wheeling this one
around town.
The 1960 Impala outsold the radical 1959 models, and it's easy to
see why. Imagine how many more would've sold if they all looked
this cool? Stylish, comfortable, bespoke, what more can you ask
from your next collector car? Call today!
