For the 1960 model year, the Chevy Corvette had only minor cosmetic changes, carrying on much as it had the previous year. Seat pleats were oriented vertically rather than horizontally as the previous year. The anodized trim above the passenger side parcel tray featured the CORVETTE script in black with a red bar above and a blue bar below. The exterior appearance was unchanged. 1960 would be the final year for the heavy chrome vertical “teeth” in the grille and rounded taillights integrated into the body lines. 1960 was the first year Corvette production exceeded 10,000 units with 10,261 Corvettes leaving the St. Louis assembly plant.
Engine options for the 1960 Chevy Corvette all still displaced 283 cubic inches, but there were a number of different power outputs. The base Small Block engine came with 230 horsepower, a single four-barrel Carter carburetor, and was backed by either a three-speed manual transmission, or optional four-speed manual or two-speed Powerglide automatic. Optional engines included 245- or 270-horsepower variants fed by two four-barrel carbs, or 250- or 290-horsepower fuel-injected powerplants. The base engine was dressed with painted valve covers with Chevrolet script, but all other engines came with finned aluminum valve covers. The 270-horsepower carbed 283 and the 290-horsepower fuelie were both equipped with aluminum radiators with top tanks. Corvettes equipped with the optional windshield washer had the reservoir located on the right side for fuel-injected engines and on the left for carbureted models, as in previous years.
There was a proposed 315-horsepower fuel-injected 283 in development, but problems with the high silicon-content aluminum heads kept that from becoming a reality. Many sources list the 315-horse engine as the top option, but none ever made it to production.
Our featured 1960 Chevy Corvette is a former National Corvette Restorers Society Top Flight and Four Star Bowtie Award winner. It is finished in Tuxedo Black with Sateen Silver coves over a red vinyl interior. The Corvette is powered by a 283 cubic-inch Small Block fed by dual Carter four-barrel carbs, and backed by a four-speed manual transmission. It is equipped with a black vinyl soft top, Wonderbar signal-seeking AM radio, heater, clock, and sun visors. Included in the sale are the operations manual and NCRS awards.
This highly original 1960 Chevy Corvette will cross the Mecum Auctions block at their Kissimmee, Florida sale on January 15th, 2025.
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