Every time I think all the unrestored early Corvettes are found, another worthy candidate shows up! This 1960 Corvette convertible is a running and driving example and is located in Brooklyn, New York. The seller hasn’t had it long and doesn’t include a lot of information in the sales listing here on eBay. The buy it now price is $49,500 but you are welcome to make a lower offer!
The car is a convertible but has the optional matching hardtop (we’re assured the soft top is in place as well). How do you feel about the wide whitewalls? You can see some oxidation on the bumpers, but at least all are there and seem relatively free of dents. The polished stainless steel wheel covers with cosmetic knock-off spinners are original Corvette (but not the original year, as the first commenter pointed out!) as well.
GM emphasized the Corvette’s comfort in the 1960 brochure, calling America’s sports car “versatile, capable and luxurious.” By this point, most shoppers were familiar with the small-block V-8 and its potency, but relatively new competition from Ford’s Thunderbird and even Jaguar’s ever-plusher XK series had Chevrolet pointing out features such as a “lustrous Magic-Mirror finish” and “Deep-pile carpet.”
As with the rear, the front brightwork appears oxidized but complete and straight. I have some pictures of my father’s 1959 (he sold it before I was born) and the hood didn’t fit any better on his car, but I’m wondering if that’s an oddity or something Corvette enthusiasts know more about? Be sure to let us know if you have inside knowledge!
Without seeing more detail, I can’t tell for 100% sure whether the manual transmission in the tired but intact interior is a three or four-speed, but it would have originally had a shift pattern plate beside it to the right if it were a four-speed; let’s assume it’s a three-speed for now. The “contoured, individually adjustable bucket seats” look to be original but tired, which pretty much describes the car all over.
If this is the original engine (and I’d really want to know if it is), it will be a 283 cubic-inch V-8 producing 230 rated horsepower with a single four-barrel. This was the 1960 Corvette’s base powerplant. If you are one of those folks that doesn’t believe it’s done right if you don’t do it yourself, this original-appearing car might be the Corvette for you–it’s certainly a fine base to start with! On the other hand, you could clean it up and drive it just the way it is–what would you do?
No underside shots doesn’t get me excited about this NY car. A whole lot more information would be needed for a serious buyer to consider buying this car sight unseen. Dumping the wide whites and the Stingray hubcaps would help too.
Not much of a FULL description. Slow. Lousy brakes. Good luck keeping up with all the race car drivers known as women in SUVs tailgating you. Today’s drivers are crazy.
This body style is sweet. I’m not into ‘Vettes from later (no trunk) years, but early ‘Vettes are cool. I agree with not wanting to buy a car sight un-seen, especially for the $50-k they want for it. But if this is a solid example, it could be a fun car. People say they’re slow & have lousy brakes, but if you know what you’re doing that’s not really accurate. That 283 will get the job done if properly tuned. Drum brakes, while never as efficient as disc brakes, can be safe & reliable if kept in good condition. Now days everyone’s used to power assisted everything, automatic everything, LS power, etc., ect…. It’s the people who expect old technology to work like new technology and don’t know how to maintain a machine that gives these cars and components a bad rap. But driving an old sports car is a lot of fun. You drive it, it does what you tell it to do instead of the other way around.
Cool, my dad and uncles passed on one in 1968 or so for $900. Neighbor had it and said the tranny was shot. Me and the other neighborhood kids played in it and one day I made the mistake of cranking it over. No safety switches back then, it lurched forward and went down half the driveway before I shut it off. One of my friends managed to unscrew the shift knob and we lost it in the bushes rolling it around the driveway. If only they had bought it, a 59, and put it away.
Reminds me of Bruce Springsteen’s 1960 Corvette.
If it’s the original engine,. which I doubt, it has earlier heads on it. The heads with the staggered hole valve covers were only used till 59. 60 engines have valve covers with the mounting holes across from each other. Based on the radiator, the car probably was originally a base motor car.
Rust is rarely an issue with 53-62 frames. The frames were very heavy steel, and the only area that usually is a rust concern is the boxed rear crossmember. Since it’s a bolt in part, even if the crossmember’s bad, it’s an easy fix.
The car needs a full restoration, but it doesn’t look like a bad starting point to me.
A really great American car that will most likely need everything. But so worth it in the end. Not so sure about this price. Photo shoot location of what appears to be an impound yard does not help…
More thoughts. This car has one of the most distinctive frontend designs on any car. Looking at that lead photo, I start to see a “Black Pirate” clenching his long knife in his sizable teeth…
But that’s just me.
56/60 is it for me never mind ’62 on. Well, the 1 yr ’63 gets it too, may B the 7th gen…