In an almost unheard-of move, Chevrolet (and the rest of GM) redesigned their cars for the second time in two years in 1959. Chrysler had changed up the styling game in 1957 with the “Forward Look” and suddenly Chevy’s new cars looked old. The ‘59s were less bulky in appearance as the country entered the “Space Age” and that likely helped with sales, so the cars were minimally changed in 1960 with crisper font-end styling and the demise of the “cat’s eye” taillights. This 1960 Chevy Impala Sport Coupe has received a refresh in some of the mechanical bits and presents well enough, though not award-winning. Located in Hodgenville, Kentucky, this finned beauty is available here on craigslist for $32,500. Tip Master T.J. strikes gold again!
Total Chevrolet sales were down by 20% in 1958. That compares to the last year of the now-famous Tri-Fives which were fairly consistent year-over-year. The U.S. economy suffered a recession in ’58 that resulted in almost every car manufacturer seeing a decline. But things bounced back nicely in 1960 at a more than 20% uptick and Chevrolet saw a similar percentage gain for the more refined 1960s.
At 60,000 reported miles, this Impala has had some recent work done. The front brakes were converted to power discs and the front end was rebuilt with some detailing done to the A-frame arms. The gas tank has been replaced along with the radiator, which suggest it may have been sitting for an extended period. And the car appears to be lower to the ground than stock. We’re told the trunk pan could stand to be renewed, but no photo is provided to gauge the urgency. This Chevy is powered by a 348 cubic inch V8, the largest before the 409 came out later. It’s partnered with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic and the Impala sports power steering for easier handling.
The interior is in a two-tone black and white and has likely been renewed at some point. The seller refers to the paint as being “old” which could imply it’s an older repaint. It has a few questionable places for chips and potential surface rust, but you shouldn’t be in a hurry to redo it unless you are seeking show quality. If you like the finned Chevrolets that were products of 1950s thinking, this Impala could do nicely.
Beautiful car. Only thing I’d do to this car is swap the slushomatic for a 4 speed hydromatic to take advantage of that 348 engine.
Since this came with the 348 it could have the TurboHydramatic whic was a much better transmission than the Powerglide, only way to tell is if the transmission selector has a “GR” where it normally would say “L”.
It wouldn’t be a Turbo-Hydramatic in 1961, those came out in1964. It could’ve
had the Turbo-Glide, which was a 3 speed automatic. That trans was available from 1957-1961.
The Hydra-Matic, 4 speed, was not available in Chevrolet cars. It came out in 1956 for Cadillac, Oldsmobile and Pontiac.
I hope this helps.
Decent price for a 348 car, maybe, though the car is a bit rough around the edges and the non-stock upholstery doesn’t do it any favors. These cars were notorious rusters, at least in the Midwest, and you can see rust starting in various places on this one. Friend of mine had one in high school. Car was only 6 years old and already had rusted-out rear quarters that had been heavily patched with bondo (not apparent to him when he bought it) so buyer be aware.
You might have something there. The rear of the driver’s door looks to have taken a hit as the last 8 inches of the bottom doesn’t align with the rocker panel.
KFT…. The 4 speed hydromatic came out in ’49 in the Oldsmobiles. Used the ’49 drivetrain to build my ’53 Studebaker coupe street/ drag car. Don’t know what other GM cars had except for those god awful Dynaflos in my dad’s Buicks.
Nice….the truck in the background looks interesting also
Omg, I purchased that same model in 1979 for 300 bucks!. Should’ve kept it.
It’s amazing how inexpensive it was to get those cars back then!
It’s all about what was/is std equip then/today. & how simple/complex they were/are.
Even as late as ’74, u could get a t/a for $4300 with HEI mid model year, but it did not come with a radio! or a/c or p/w or automatic(tho the turbo 400 automatic was NO EXTRA CHARGE!!). A formula would be even less since it came std with manual brakes & manual steering too & no aux gages & no formula steering wheel. & a regular base stripper bird or camaro would be less $ than that.
The biggest ripoff today is how few “colors”(usually just 5 or so!) are available & how plain ugly(gray) it is inside the new vehicles.
Compare to
https://www.firstgenmc.com/tech/72colors.jpg
With primitive or no computers & little automation, how they were able to build cars that could be ordered in almost an infinite combo of over 50 separate distinct options & so many color & body style choices is just mind boggling. & at a fair price, yet.
& oh – one more thing, good luck finding an entry level TWO door car for SINGLE PEOPLE today that is not a sports or pony car. Back then EVERY SINGLE american car prior to ’76 came as a 2 door!! & maybe a 4 door.
Even the 2 american small car wagons back then were only sporty TWO doors.
This is on my bucket list and the price seems fair. It does need some TLC, but if it is no worse than the photos ,this could be the one. The very nice ones are at least double the asking price of this one. Interesting no one has mentioned the wheels ,find the right buyer for these and your buy in ,could be considerably less.
Drove one of these almost identical to high school, my first car, slip and slide turboglide. Huge back seat area which came in handy on saturday night matinees at the neighborhood Canoga Park Drive in. Fond memories, good times at Ridgemont High, In my case, Chatsworth High.
Must have a “stereo” radio with the two antennas.
I always liked these and its good to see a dual master cylinder and a single wire Delcotron alternator (Delco Alts with an external regulator came out in 1962 IIRC; before that satisfaction came from a 30 amp generator), so its Damn the Judges! The downflow radiator in aluminum is OK but shouldve been painted black.
Nice Impala, the only minus is those wheels but otherwise I really like it. Was a tilt wheel an option back then ?
No. I believe the Saginaw tilt column came in about 1963. Anyone else know for sure?
i drove a 60 belair in highschool, was 9 years old and got it for 150.00 bucks. Got a 63 impala convertable the following year for 300.00 bucks
Those were the days.
time seemed to fly by. I had a 7 year old car in high school but now my newest car that I bought new is 17 years old and the other car I bought new and still have is 42.