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.
Finished in gorgeous Roman Red with a white quarter panel insert,
this is one fabulous-looking car. This sucker 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 are
recently refinished, 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 stylized V and crossed flag emblems on the deck lid, which
signify the 248 cubic inch V8 under the hood.
There's a party inside with the two-tone red and white upholstery.
Finished with correct 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 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. The steering wheel may look
familiar to Chevy fans, and it's nicely restored with a brightly
finished horn ring and button that show some light pitting but are
otherwise in good order. The original AM radio is still in the dash
but is due for an upgrade if you're going to go cruising and seat
belts were added for safety. The trunk is truly massive, as you'd
imagine, and includes yards of reproduction mat and a full-sized
spare tire assembly.
Chevrolet offered an astounding FIVE versions of the 348 in the
Impala, with the one in this car topped by a Carter 4-barrel
carburetor and rated at 250 horsepower. They didn't take any
shortcuts during the restoration, so it's vintage 1960 under the
hood, right down to the single master cylinder and generator. An
original air cleaner looks heavy-duty enough to withstand a sand
storm and bright Chevy Orange paint on the engine almost matches
the Roman Red bodywork. It's backed by a 2-speed PowerGlide
automatic transmission with the original rear end out back, just
ahead of the newer gas tank. A reproduction dual exhaust system
sounds right and snakes through the X-frame chassis and burbles
away at cruising speed. With handsome 14-inch wide whitewall tires
on red wheels with spinner hub 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. Fast, stylish, comfortable, what more can you ask from
your next collector car? Call today!