Throwback Thursday: Welcome to 1960

It was 1960, and with a retail price of $2,954, the V8-powered Impala convertible was Chevrolet’s most expensive car at the time. The slight modifications of the 1959 design created a1960 Impala with a more conservative look than was seen on the previous year.

The 1959’s horizontal fins were toned down a little bit, which gave the car a more “conservative” back end. Looking at the front, the air intakes above the headlights were deleted, and the 1960 redesign promoted “Space, Spirit, and Splendor.” There were 490,000 1960 Impalas built.

There were fewer options in regards to drivetrain choices, but with seven V8 engine options ranging from a 283ci engine, all the way up to a 348ci engine, there were still enough choices to satisfy buyers. Everyone wanted the 348ci Super Turbo-Thrust Special that was fed by three two-barrel carburetors and making 335 horsepower. The carbureted Turbo-Fire 283ci engine could have either 170 or 230 horsepower. Unfortunately, when 1960 rolled around, fuel injection was no longer an option in full-size Chevrolet cars.

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The first generation of Corvette was nearing the end (second-generation Corvettes were introduced in 1963). In 1960, Corvette production reached 10,000 vehicles for the first time, and the option list continued to grow. The 1960 Corvette was the recipient of some power increases. By adding solid lifters and a higher 11.0:1 compression ratio to the “Fuelie” 283ci engine, horsepower was increased to 315 horsepower. A second version was built with hydraulic lifters to reduce maintenance, and it still pumped out a respectable 275 horsepower. Because of the power increases, the Powerglide was no longer available with fuel injected engines. In carbureted form, the single four-barrel-fed 283ci engine delivered 230 horsepower, and if you ordered your V8 with two four-barrel carburetors, there was a 245 horsepower version using hydraulic-lifters, and a solid-lifter version making 270 horsepower.

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If you were looking at a truck in 1960, Chevrolet had just introduced a new body style that featured many firsts. The frame was modified, allowing the cab to sit lower, and an independent front suspension was introduced, giving a nicer ride. Chevrolet discontinued the use of the four number designation when referring to trucks. Now it was a simple two number designation; 10, 20, 30, and 40 series (C-series was two-wheel drive and K-series was four-wheel drive).


Article courtesy of Chevy Hardcore, written by Randy Bolig.