For the first time since 1957, the 1960 Chevrolets were not all-new automobiles. Styling-wise, they were quite similar that the ‘59s, but with some of the excesses in body language toned down a bit. Instead of cat’s eye taillamps in the back, dual or triple cone-shaped pods were back and would remain a Chevy trademark through 1965. This ’60 Impala is a “barn find” that’s said to be mostly complete but in rough condition. It has a 348 cubic inch V8, though we don’t know if it’s original to the machine. Hailing from Wahoo, Nebraska, this Chevy is available here on eBay where the opening bid of $5,000 is still elusive. And no one has jumped the line to the $8,000 Buy It Now price.
Having been promoted to series status in 1959, the Impala would continue as the top choice in the Chevrolet portfolio. But, for the first time, the company had more than one type of car to sell: the compact Corvair joined the lineup in 1960, a distinctly different vehicle beyond its size. The Corvair had a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine that was a nod to the VW Beetle it wanted to draw sales from. That didn’t detract much from full-size production as Chevy built 512,000 Impalas in 1960, spread across eight body styles. And that didn’t include the lesser Bel-Air or Biscayne offerings.
We don’t know a lot about the seller’s car. It appears to have been sitting for ages, perhaps in the spot outdoors where it was photographed. The VIN verifies it’s an Impala Sport Coupe that left the factory with a V8, but which one? The 348 was top-dog that year and five versions of it were available, with the smallest offering no less than 250 hp with a 4-barrel carburetor. The seller doesn’t say if this one runs and that’s probably because it doesn’t.
The body is rough with dents and dings all over and rust quite evident in the quarter panels. They and both the front fenders will likely need to be replaced. We’re told the floors are shot, too, so expect this car to spend a lot of time in the body shop. One thing that jumps out about this Impala is that someone has added an extra set of taillights in the back, bringing the total to four on each side. And the upholstery people will stay busy as almost everything in the passenger compartment will need to be renewed. This could be a sharp Chevy were restored, but you have to wonder if one too many zeros are in the asking price.
Another one with $7,500. in the glove box.
With all the body rust and an X frame, probably also rusted, I would be hesitant. The crossed flags front and back would indicate a true 348 car. Just a parts car, in my opinion.
Seller says “no reserve auction”…but the reserve hasn’t been met.
As has been appropriately stated already in one way or another, the owner is just selling the original 348 engine for $8,000. It happens to be resting in the rusted-out hulk of a 1960 Chevy Impala that isn’t worth a dime. Someone with a much better candidate for restoration interested in originality will do just what has been suggested – buy the car for parts at much less than $8K.
Hey, still room for a couple more taillights, that’s worth the price right there! I’d throw some on and give them the Thunderbird treatment XD
Had a ’59 … in all my car look-ups I’ve never seen more than six taillights on any Impala- three to a side … what gives here …
Sitting on the ground along the road- expect the worst. Many overpriced cars around lately, must be the BJ syndrome. Good luck and happy motoring.
Cheers
GPC
sad!
$7,700 for this car that needs alot of work and money put into it or behind door #2 The same price for a driveable –alot nice car ? Hold onto your money and look around.
I was thinking “Maybe not all that bad” until I saw the pictures of the front fenders rusted clear through on the Ebay ad…. but still: WAY better deal than the completely trashed/rusted 64 Impala the buyer has listed for the same price!!!
i think definitly a 348 from the factory car. Its straight but needs a lot of work. Most part are available. From the factory its got power brakes, power steering, tinted glass, powerGlide, the correct badges and someone added on the tailite look for that era. You could find one done for 40-50-60$ but you will miss all the fun of tearing your hair out.Not over 10$ for this bowTie.
First, you’d have to dig it out of the dirt, in which process the whole thing would fall apart into a pile of rust. The nerve of some would-be sellers amazes me.
I must have bad vision because all I see is a tremendous amount of time, money and stress just to hopefully break even.
I am restoring a 60 Biscayne at this time- came from LA and had little rust. NO ONE is making the lower rear quarters anymore- you have to fab them. Thats a parts car – and we all know how the X frame does when sitting on the moist ground for 40 years….
The only thing I see this has going for it is that it has a 348 and all of the trim parts look good. Other than that I don’t see much value. It does have that Turbo-Glide transmission but those were shunned when they were new, so that’s really not a plus. Sad to see it neglected like this.
Perhaps it is just me, but I like the cat’s eye taillamps better.
Perhaps it is just me, but I like the cat’s eye taillamps better. The round ones look rather cheesy.
Great project for someone who has more money than brains, and an up to date tetanus shot.
Trying to be charitable toward the seller, I’d say he’s ill-informed as to the value of this car as it is. Anyone with good sense who is looking for a car of this type to restore would look for the best, most complete car available as a starting point, and even then, the cost of a concourse-quality restoration would be high.
As for this particular car, one look at the interior and my first thought was how much mold is in there. That alone would scare me off.
I’m afraid the only part of this car with any value is the engine; the rest is whatever it is worth in scrap metal.
I fail to understand the allure of this rust-bucket. Its a $500 Parts Car, all day long!