1960 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster

1960 Chevrolet Corvette RoadsterTo the credit of all involved, the 1959-60 Corvette was “cleaned up” considerably. For one, the chrome “suspenders” were removed from the...

1960 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster

To the credit of all involved, the 1959-60 Corvette was “cleaned up” considerably. For one, the chrome “suspenders” were removed from the design, providing the Corvette with a more swept-back look that was synonymous with speed. For another, it was decided that the faux hood louvers would be eliminated, returning the Corvette to a semblance of its former self. While these features were key identifiers of the 1958 Corvette, there was no question that the elimination of the excessive chrome would reduce weight and help increase performance.

For consignment, a rocket ship dressed up in a Viper Red tuxedo. This beautiful design year has been modified with a pro stock styled big scooped hood, added in a 350ci mill, rear tubbed to accept the 31x16.5 -15LT wide rubber in the back, and a fuel cell put into the trunk. Otherwise, it looks original with those sexy gently curving lines of this 1960 version of the Corvette.

Exterior
As it inches up to the tree a menacing perma-grin on the front toothy grille with their split chromed front bumper-ettes and dual headlights break the beam. Awaiting the competition to light up the staging, we are blinded by Viper Red paint adorning the fiberglass panels of this beautifully designed car. A Corvette cove is on either side that has a long chrome plated trim wrap around this cove creating a rearward facing large spear. A large scooped pro stock hood is now on, and this leads our eye to the chrome trimmed wrap around front glass. A rounded hardtop has more wrap around glass and carries the line to the rear deck which is flanked by gracefully descending rear quarters with long vertical tail lighting in their tops. Dual small bumpers begin at the rear lengthened wheel wells and wrap around the rear quarter to form an oval shaped exhaust pipe bezel. Just above are a pair of split bumpers that curve with the shape of the rear roll pan and have curved descending chrome. The round trunk lid is formed by the undulating rear quarters and sports a large cross flag badge in its dead center just above the key lock. Shiny 15-inch Weld Prostar wheels are wrapped by thin front and ultra wide rear rubber. The tree's lights are beginning their descent, and the RPMs rise along with this car's melodious exhaust tone and DBs.

Interior
Keeping with the curvaceous design theme, the interior takes the ball and runs for a touchdown, and this is just looking at the door panels. Here we see polished aluminum mixing with black vinyl and housing the armrest in black and the knob door actuator. I can also behold a power window toggle within this polished panel. Inside low back bomber style buckets with black vinyl tuck and roll inserts and a curved red and chromed center storage nestle neatly within a roll cage. Upfront a large arching speedometer dominates the dash and has several round black metal bezeled deep set gauges below. This beautiful arch is fronted and emulated by a drilled spoked rally steering wheel, so gone is the large cumbersome wheel these “Vettes” came from the factory with. The center of the dash has a large custom fabricated and padded T which houses the radio clock and airflow knobs. On the hump is an aftermarket tachometer just to back up the one in the dash. Clean black carpeting covers the floors and a tuck and rolled insert headliner in black floats above the roll cage. Noted in the trunk is a stainless steel fuel cell and a shutoff style battery setup, all this in clean black carpeting too!

Drivetrain
Under that pro stock style hood we can find the heartbeat of America and this car with a 350ci V8. This presents as nice as the exterior and interior and has plenty of bling in the form of chrome plated valve coverings, belt housings, generator and air cleaner covering. Below this air cleaner covering is a Holley 4-barrel carburetor, and headers protrude from either side. On the back is a 2-speed automatic Powerglide transmission linking to a 12-bolt rear axle.

Undercarriage
Underneath is just straight black steel structure and some new disc brakes for the front, and power drums on the rear. Traction bars are now on along with the 4 link suspension which is also pristine. A clean rust free glass pack style exhaust allows for the big loud exhale on this beautiful blinged mill.

Drive-Ability
As you might be able to tell I love this car! Driving it was a thrill, and just rolling around the test track at low speed was enough to entice me to go around several times. Performance was top notch, cornering was a little less but still nice.

If car magazines had centerfolds this one would be a top pick for the foldout. A great year for the curved Corvette, and this one with those big rear tires and pro stock style hood is a Motörhead magnet. Oh and back to that tree, the lights go to green, a quick launch and this car is gone like the fins and excess chrome of the 1950's.

VIN DECODE
00867S107759
0-1960
08-Corvette
67-Convertible
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
107759-Sequential Unit Number