VAEer Richard Spitzer has a project on his hands with this 1960 Chevy Impala.
This from Richard Spitzer…
When my dad told me he saw a 1960 Impala for sale, I had no clue what one looked like.
Fins and a bubble top. What? I was 17 and driving a SAAB 99. I liked old cars, but had no idea what the models were back then. We drove over to Hyde Park to check it out. I was caught off guard a bit, it was big and turquoise! But we drove it around and it sold it-self.
My friends rode in the car my last few years of High School at People Academy. Everyone liked it. Even my mom would borrow my car to run errands.
I was jealous of the new 5.0 Mustangs and my buddy’s Camaros. So of course I tried flipping the air cleaner lid to make it sound powerful. I tried a big 4 barrel on the 283. No more power, but sounded great. I did get a dual exhaust system on it and some new Cragar Wheels and white letter tires. She rolled really good then. I would rev the car in first forever, then shift the Powerglide into high, and it would make a great exhaust note. It was big, heavy and slow. We even got stuck in the parking lot at the Stowe Car show. But with no seat belts, we could load it up with teenagers and cruise town in style.
Those were the good days. When the front seat broke out of the floor and ended up in the back seat going up Quarry Hill, I new I had a rust problem. Bondo was falling off daily and the right front tire went 100 yards further than I did in Keene, NH. It was 1988, I was in the military and the Impala was pushed to the side. But soon misguided motivation and a side order of hair band music, led to the biggest mistakes many car guys make, and I disassembled the whole car. With the help of a few friends, the car was in pieces. I had the frame repaired, and the body was on its side in my garage while I repaired the floor. Pieces of that car are scattered from Enosburg to Jericho to Williston over six plus moves and I doubt I have all of them. I have miles of trailering and tons of wasted effort pushing it in and out of the garage, and now it still sits sadly waiting for repair.
Bring in the new life, with a new wife, and a garage that makes most men jealous. I am just a few projects away from getting back on track with the Impala. I always say it has been more of a resurrection then restoration. It will move again under its own power. It is a little ugly right now. I am not a detailed body guy, just a mechanic. So hopefully there will be progress on this project each month. I am not sure yet what the car will look like in the end except the color, 1960 turquoise and a white top. I have kids that have never rode in it, so I hope to get the car done so everyone can enjoy it. See you on the road soon!!
A question for everyone……Which vehicle would you say is the one you would like?
There have been 10 generations of Chevrolet Impalas, starting in 1958.
Richard’s Impala is the 2nd generation. Chevrolet made 490,900 Impalas in 1960, with many variations.
There was the Sedan, the Hard Top Sedan and the Hard Top Coupes. Along with the Convertible Couples and the Station Wagons. There were 2-door and 4-door variations and “Sport” packages.
Engine choices were the 235 cu in “Blue Flame I6”, the 283 cu in “Turbo Fire V8”, and the 348 cu in “W-series Turbo Thrust V8”. A “Speedminder” was an option where the driver sets a needle at a specific speed and a buzzer would sound if the pre-set was exceeded.
Right-hand drive cars were made in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, for New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. All the rest were built in Baltimore, Maryland, St. Louis, Missouri, South Gate, California.
A two-door Hardtop Sport Coupe cost $2,597 in 1960, $19,425 in todays dollars. Regular gasoline in 1960 was $.31 per gallon, in today’s dollars that comes to $2.71 per gallon. The Impala with the 283 engine is reported to get 12MPG.
So, yes, it will cost you more to drive a 1960 Chevrolet Impala, but there is no question which is more preferable. If you say the vehicle on the left, we need to talk.
Always like 60 Impala .Buddy had one 427 4 spd he said at 100 mph back looked like waving by by. Nice project .Butch in North Carolina.
I think I like the low and slow look. My dad told me the rear of the car would get light if I drove too fast. Maybe good advice, or the best way to slow me down ever!
We have a 60 four door . but 59 had the big wings that caused some issues.
I have a 60 Impala 2 door hard top project with a good body for sale no rust Cleveland Ohio. Message me sanchezangel1219@gmail.com
Can you send me some pictures of the car?
I learned to drive in a 4 door 60 Impala with a 283, a three of the tree, and no power steering or power brakes. I lived on Capital Hill, in Seattle, what it was parallel park or don’t park, and drove up what’s called the Denny regrade from work. Driving a clutch on THAT Hill was NOT for the faint of heart. I still miss that old girl.
I’ve got a 60 impala that was my pops project that never got started before he passed. Looking to find it a new home if anyone is interested.
Do you have contact info?
Rich
richard_spitzer@yahoo.com
Wow that’s a beauty. I love a 1960 chevy impala. My dream car.
When my dad said we were going to look at a ’60 Chevy, I had no idea what he was talking about. I was caught off guard at first. But then the interior was awesome. Big steering wheel. Hope to get it road worthy this spring. I am inching up on it slowly.
Please do. We share a comon past. My first car was a 60 Biscayne 2 door hard top w/ the 283, 3 on the tree with overdrive. Absolutely great memories. She would do all of 115mph, and the tail end would rise up. Gotta keep these cars running, cause they don’t make them like any more. Congratulations and enjoy!!
I have a 1960 Impala 4 door sports coupe I am selling, it is a project car but is complete. If interested you can call me at (661) 731-2686 for more details and pictures.
I had a 1960 Bel Air when I was in high school. I’d kill a zip code to get it back.
I have a 1960 Impala project car nothing is missing.Gave it to my son, he went to work in Alaska and the car was parked 10 years ago . If interested contact me and I will give you all details.
Do you still have the Impala?? I am interested if it is still available.
The Photo you said was a 1960 impala was in fact a 1959 impala,
I own a 1961 impala convertible remember remember when all those cars were new
Your right, the little photo Gary added in is a 1959. Some people love the “cat-eye” taillights and hood decoration. I don’t. I have been drawing pictures of my Impala forever, so to see a ’59 disturbs me. The other GM brands ruined it too! The 1958 had too much chrome. The ’61 and ’62 were the last of the rounded roof lines, but no wings. 1960 Impalas just have the look. Perfect! But not in convertible. WOW ! How can one car have so many different looks, and nowadays all cars look the same, all SUV’s look the same, and all trucks look the same.
I want to drive something that everyone notices because it’s cool or different.
Ill buy the 61
Sure wish they would make something like that today. Those were the days 348, and the 409. Now that was a car to drool over
Drove a 60 impala convertible to high school in 1965. Candy apple red with white top. Went to Vietnam in Army and mom junked it. It still bothers me to this day. Love that car and dated while in this car. Dam.
For my parents anniversary years ago, my mom bought my dad a 1960 impala 4 door. It was sitting in a field, orange and white, no motor nor tranny. But, he had a 4 door chevy truck with a utility bed on it and a running 454 big block and tranny. He decided since he had retired he would put that motor and tranny in that car. When he was done the only 3 people that I know of that was aloud to drive it was my 2 brothers and my dad, for the first 2 years. Took him 2 years to let me drive it. He was afraid I’d loose it because there was soooo much power. When I got to drive it the first time…lol…I dropped it into first and floored it. Front end came up and guess who was gone?? MEMEMEMEME I fell in n love immediately. As his health got worse hei decided it was time to find her a new car. Sure do miss him and that car.
I have one for sale 2 dr bubble top factory 4 speed 350 engine tho has all the trimmings
Is it still for sale ?
Is the Impala still available sir?!
I will give you 75,ooo for that impala so we dont have a arguement about the price ill even go up 80,000 no more my son die in a car accident in the same car i wanna get one for memory call 509 402-4604
R u in Wisconsin
Had a 60 Impala 4door hardtop nice car. Loved my 59 coupe but the floor rotted out. Only had 25k miles on the clock
Hi my wife & I brought new 60 Bel-air 2dr sedan copper & white top 6-cylinder 3 on tree. We drove for 5 yrs.
I’d love a 61 impala convertible myself.My parents had one when I was a kid.
I enjoyed I our article about your 1960 Impala. This is a problem with the two-tone Impala shown at the end of your article. This car is actually a 1959 Impala. I also bought a 1960 Impala convertible with a 283 c.i. 3 speed manual shift. Nine months later I bought a 1961 S.S with the 350 HP 348 c.i. 4 speed option. Chevy did not offer a 427 c.i motor until 1967.
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My dad gave me 1960 Impala when I was 16 years old. My 1st car I piled all my friends in it and we had a blast going over Turnbull Canyon up in Hadley Hills. It was a pea green color. I am secretly longing to have her back!! I have such fond memories in this car!! Anna from Cali-
I have currently getting ready to make one 1960 mpala from the two I have..
I have enjoyed numerous older classics and even had one 1 st place show winner.
This car will be a restomod hot rod.. 454 big block punched .030 over.. and a T56 magnum 6 speed transmission..air bagged suspension.. going to take some cash..and time..but I’m hooked..
I have one now. 1960 Bel-Air. Project Car. 283. Original. Motor and Trans in it.
The tail lights says it is a 1959 !
Emma is right.
I think that I might have owned a very rare 1960 2 dr ht Impala ??
I bought it in 1965….It was a factory dark blue with a white side stripe.
Had a 283 cu engine +A Turbo Glide trans +Factory AC + Pwr. Windows.
It may of had pwr. steering ? I rem. I paid a dealer $1280. and it was in mint cond.
Any info would be appreciated !
I’d love to find a new home for my dads old 60 project impala. It’s a 2 door hard top. I’d love to see it go to someone that can give it the attention that my pops would have if he had the chance to do so. Taraheath82@gmail. Com