The 1960 Chevrolet Corvette featured in this article is a beauty. Everything about this car looks like “classic Corvette”. The lines and trim on this model were what helped make the Corvette so popular with the younger car buyers.
The two seat 1960 Corvette was competing against the European import sport cars as well as against the Ford Thunderbird to some degree. Chevrolet gave the third generation Corvettes more ornamentation and used more aluminum in their construction.
Design and Styling
The very first Chevy Corvette ever produced came off the GM assembly line on June 30, 1953. This was a very significant step forward for GM and it’s Chevrolet Division in as much as this was their first car ever with a fiberglass body. This was a pretty radical change for the early 1950’s. By the same token, while the fiberglass body was entirely new, almost all the parts underneath it were taken from the current Chevrolet parts shelf. The body was actually fiberglass reinforced plastic on a steel frame.
Corvette designing has always been an interesting endeavor for Chevrolet. The original Corvette was designed largely by legendary GM designer, Harley Earl. It was at Earl’s urging that GM decided to produce the roadster. Even though the sports car nearly failed to catch on after it’s introduction, designs and mechanics have steadily changed over the decades to make the Chevy Corvette an American icon.
Harley Earl retired from GM in 1958 and the design team for the 1960 Corvette was led by Bill Mitchell who had worked under Earl.
The third generation Chevrolet Corvettes, of which this 1960 Corvette model is a part were given a new rear end which included a new anti-sway bar. In addition to that the 1960 Corvette shown here has a new cockpit featuring a redesigned dashboard. The entire car however was changed very little from the 1959 Corvette which was also a third generation car. The model year 1960 however was the last for Corvette’s heavy teeth grille. This grille was replaced with a mesh screen on the radiator opening.
1960 Chevy Corvette Specifications
The 1960 third generation Corvette rolled off the assembly line with a 283 cubic inch V-8 engine. There were a variety of four barrel carburetors in the five available engines including one with a fuel injector. Horsepower ranged, depending on the engine, from 230 to 290 horsepower. Quite a lot of added power when you consider that the first 1954 Corvette model came only with a 235 cubic inch six cylinder engine.
It’s interesting to note that for the 1965 model year the lowest horsepower Corvette offered delivered 350 horsepower and the highest horsepower available that year was 425. Quite a move up in power since 1960.
The 1960 Chevy Corvette had a 102.0 inch wheelbase which was the exact same as with the original 1954 model. The Corvette’s overall length was 177.2 inches which was up from the 1954’s 167.3 inches. The car’s height was pegged at 51.0 inches and it’s ground clearance was 5.8 inches.
The 1960 Chevrolet Corvettes which were built at Chevy’s St. Louis Missouri factory were available with a four speed manual transmission and a Powerglide automatic.
Front suspension consisted of independent coil springs and rear suspension were semi elliptical leaf. Wheel size was 15 inches.
Curb weight was 2,975 lbs.
The 1960 Corvette new base model price was about $3,900.
Total 1960 model year Corvette production was 10,261 vehicles. The split between manual and automatic transmissions was about even.
The 1960 Corvette Serial Number
You can find the Corvette’s serial number left front door hinge pillar. The 1960 Coevette’s had a twelve character serial number containing numerals and letters. The letter used signified the factory where it was built. The second and third numbers designated the series. Fourth and fifth numbers were the body style, the letter in the sixth position was the assembly plant and the remaining numbers were the individual vehicle’s serial number.
See our additional Corvette photo articles on the links below…
Fourth Generation 1962 Corvette
An interesting book that includes the 1960 Corvette is, Corvette: American Legend , 1958-60 ( History Series No. 5) by Noland Adams.
Another interesting publication is The Complete Corvette Restoration and Technical Guide, Vol. 1 : 1953 Through 1962 also by Noland Adams.
Corvette Collector’s Cars
Many Chevrolet Corvettes are very popular collector cars and the 1960 Corvette is a perfect example. This car is a classic collectible.
As of this writing, asking prices are easily in the $60,000 range plus and don’t be surprised to see six figures asked. All depends on the exact model, originality and condition. Certain color combinations are more popular.
If your travels take you to Bowling Green Kentucky don’t miss stopping by the National Corvette Museum. The museum is a non profit and celebrates the invention of the Chevy Corvette. The museum also hosts several Corvette events throughout the year. Across the street from the museum is GM’s Bowling Green Corvette Assembly Plant which is the only place that Corvettes are now produced. The address for the National Corvette Museum is 350 Corvette Drive, Bowling Green, Kentucky.
(Article and photos copyright 2013 AutoMuseumOnline)