1960 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

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.

ExteriorBathed 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.

InteriorStunning, 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.

DrivetrainHere 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).

UndercarriageUber 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-AbilityThis 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 DECODE00867S1100640-196008-Corvette67-ConvertibleS-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant110064-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.