Vehicle Description
1960 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
The year was 1960. In October of that year CBS began airing a
television show featuring two young men, Martin Milner and George
Maharis, driving around the countryside looking for adventure. Both
the car and the program were a hit. The show was 'Route 66' and the
car was, of course, a 1960 Corvette. We may never know if the show
helped boost sales but deliveries of the Corvette eventually topped
10,000 for the first time (total run 10,261) that year. The
Corvette had already been around for seven years then, not really
changing much, just evolving a bit every year. Externally, the 1960
was not much different from a '59. You could still get whitewall
tires (almost all the cars were equipped with that option) and the
contrasting color in the cove (surprisingly only a third of buyers
selected that one). 1960 was to be the last year that the
taillights formed into the rounded fenders. It was to be the last
year of the distinctive chromed 'tooth' grille also - to be
replaced by a wire mesh in 1961. Eight color choices were offered
that year. Cascade Green was the most unpopular color appearing in
only 140 cars. Today that unpopularity is considered desirable
because now it is an extremely rare color to find. A first for the
'60 cars was the introduction of nylon belted tires, replacing the
cotton ply that characterized all the previous cars.
Gracing our overstuffed but hallowed halls here at the Classic Auto
Mall we give you a well restored 1960 Corvette. Judged at 95 points
by the NCRS only losing points for some items that have been
corrected such as the distributor, generator, and trunk
accoutrements all of which have been corrected. But also losing
points for paint being "too good" as per the NCRS judges and the
undercarriage being shiny black. Either way, this writer loves a C1
Corvette, and this car is simply no exception.
Exterior
Bathed in an Ermine White better than new respray that glistens
with appeal, this 1960 Corvette has an Ermine White cove, matching
Ermine White hardtop, (with correct date coded glass), and correct
white canvas soft top with a plastic rear window. All chrome is
showing in perfect condition and our eyes are drawn to the final
year chrome toothy grill that glistens and reflects beautifully.
Around back we are greeted with the final year taillights that are
rounded into the rear quarter. Twin chrome rear bumpers bring up
the tail of the car and the correct exhaust exits through each
bumper section. Whitewall radial tires adorn all 4 corners and wrap
15" steel wheels with correct Corvette hubcaps with spinner
centers.
Interior
Stunning, flawless, mind blowing are just a few words to describe
this interior. Turquoise, however, is the best way to sum it up.
One of only 1078 Corvettes produced in 1960 with this interior
color and I must say it's rather stunning. This beautiful Turquoise
is also on the door panels, although they have a wonderful section
of machined stainless that swoops from front of the door to the
back and cradles the armrest/door pull. The dash which is the most
beautifully designed aspect of this car has all necessary gauges
with black fields and white lettering, surrounded by chromed
bezels, and embedded into deep circles that are topped by a
semicircular speedometer. All this is fronted by a 3 spoke machined
big steering wheel in drilled metal and Turquoise plastic. The top
of the dash is a combination of metal and some padded vinyl which
has the same swooping effect as the door panels. On its way to the
center console, a Wonderbar original radio is noted along with a
clock. Flooding the floor is a gorgeous turquoise and black pile
carpeting with minor fading and Turquoise Corvette floormats. A
chrome shifter surround and shifter arm with a white ball topper
sits proudly in the center of the driveshaft hump between the
seats.
Drivetrain
Here is where we get down to the peanut butter without all the
fluff. Opening the forward hinged hood, we are greeted with a
number matching, Chevrolet Orange painted engine. 283ci of it to be
exact, with a solid lifter camshaft and 2 4bbl Carter carburetors.
The block carries the correct casting # of 375659, casting date of
G190 (July 19th, 1960), a stamping code of F0728CU 110064 (Flint
July 28th 1960, 283ci V8 270hp manual transmission). The Carter
carbs carry their correct stamping numbers of 2613S and 2614S F0
(May 1960), on the front and back respectively and are perched atop
a dual quad intake manifold with a 3739653 casting number. All
correct so far! We spy a distributor with a part number of 1110891
(correct but not date code correct) and a generator with a part
number of 1102043 (again correct but not date code correct). 7
ribbed valve covers, and a louvered air cleaner assembly round out
the top of the engine. All this correct bling is mated to a correct
Borg Warner T-10 4-speed manual transmission. Pulling the power to
the ground is a correct rear axle assembly with a 3743833 casting
number, G80 casting date (June 8th 1960), and an AN 722 stamping
code (3.70 limited slip, July 22nd).
Undercarriage
Uber clean down here, according to the NCRS judges the
undercarriage is too shiny and that is clearly seen in the
pictures, along with some black paint on the brake lines, fuel
lines, and parking brake cables. Nary a hint of rust anywhere down
here to speak of. Independent coil spring suspension gives us the
ride up front while leaf springs provide the ride in the rear. Drum
brakes are noted all around and provide adequate stopping ability
for this work of art.
Drive-Ability
This writer loves 2-seater cars and while I'm drawn to the British
sports cars I will never pass up the opportunity to drive a C1
Corvette. After wedging myself behind the fixed position rather
large steering wheel a few pumps of the gas pedal, a twist of the
key and the 283ci V8 roared to life. The mechanical camshaft valve
train was music to my ears. The car handled our test track
swimmingly with wonderful acceleration, bias free panic braking,
and good handling thanks in part to the upgraded radial tires. All
functions were working properly, and the Turquoise interior made my
brain swim with retro thoughts.
What's more to say... A NCRS 95 point judged car only needing a few
minor changes to make it nearly perfect. Ermine White with
Turquoise inside along with a hardtop and soft top for all weather
cruising. The recipient of a frame off restoration in 1997 along
with a stock class Best of Show winner at the Thunder on The
Boardwalk Wildwood, New Jersey show and this car screams
excellence. Head on down to the Classic Auto Mall, feast your eyes
on this beauty, and be ready to park her in your garage!
VIN DECODE
00867S110064
0-1960
08-Corvette
67-Convertible
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
110064-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
