1960 Chevrolet Impala Convertible

Attractive restoration in correct colors. 283/automatic. Power steering, power top. Brand new Diamondback wide whitewall radials. Runs and drives extremely well. Beautiful full-sized ragtop that delivers the luxury ride Chevy intended!

Our first contact with this lovely 1960 Chevrolet Impala convertible was when it came off the trailer. I was standing next to it as the driver climbed out and the car was so quiet that assumed the engine had stalled. Looking in, however, there were no lights on the dash, the key was still in the RUN position, and sure enough, the 283 cubic inch V8 was idling away at about 500 RPM in near total silence. It was a rather remarkable experience that I ve never had with another car that s not so easy to do after more than 2000 cars have passed through our hands. At any rate, the quality of the engine build is but one aspect of this big red ragtop, which is easily the flashiest car in our showroom. The trim tag says it was originally Ermine White, but during the frame-off restoration a few years ago, it was changed to correct code 923 Roman Red, and we think that was the right choice. The 1960 Chevys were long and lean and there s just no reason to be subtle about that rocket ship styling. Those massive quarter panels are about a mile long and they re quite straight so it looks fantastic from any angle. The bright red paint is deep and shiny and with all that glittering trim, it does indeed look like a top-of-the-line car. The stainless has all been polished properly and it lines up from panel to panel, so you know there s plenty of time invested here. Dual antennas complete the jet-age look.

The two-tone red and white interior is likewise quite correct, with that funky houndstooth pattern on the inserts. Those awesome door panels continue the jet-inspired theme that runs throughout the car, and you ll note that the weather seals are new and the door seams show no evidence of major rust this car lived someplace warm. Red carpets with flecks of black is correct for 1960, a pattern unique to GM and it works rather well to keep the interior from being overwhelmingly bright. The steering wheel shows more aircraft influence, and the individual pods for the gauges are just plain cool. They also fitted red seat belts for front and rear seat occupants, which is always a good idea for safety. The only real demerit is the brake pedal pad that says power brakes although this car has manual brakes likely a supply issue. The AM radio powers up but we were unable to tune a station inside our building, and that knob under the dash is the choke control for the carburetor. Overhead there s a new white power convertible top with a correct plastic rear window, and it stows itself neatly under a matching red vinyl boot. The massive trunk is outfitted with proper mats and more new weather seals to keep things tight.

The aforementioned 283 cubic inch V8 is the 2-barrel version, so this car isn t a drag strip brawler. Instead, it s a very relaxed cruiser that remains just effortless going down the road. It starts easily, idles nearly silently, and makes the kind of torque that moves the big convertible without ever seeming to work very hard. It s correctly dressed in Chevy Orange engine enamel with a factory air cleaner on top, so it looks right, and a few subtle upgrades make it easier to live with in the real world: an alternator and a big aluminum radiator. There s also a new wiring harness, coated ram s horn exhaust manifolds, and a dual master cylinder for safety. It starts quickly and easily, hot or cold, and just goes about its business without any fuss that s the beauty of the small block Chevy, right? The 2-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission provides crisp shifts and we figure there are 3.36 gears out back, which are a nice compromise between acceleration and easy cruising. The X-frame is completely solid with no evidence it has ever been hit, and the floors remain in excellent condition with no rot. New shocks, a fresh exhaust system, rebuilt brakes, and a new gas tank mean this Impala is ready to cruise as soon as it comes off the trailer. And those gorgeous 205/75/14 Diamondback wide whitewall radials were just installed and look exactly right.

A beautiful cruiser with exactly zero bad habits, this Impala remains a first-class way to enjoy the warm weather. It should be bulletproof reliable, easy to maintain, and the dramatic look still turns heads wherever it goes. Impossible to duplicate for the asking price, it s an excellent car in a market that s still on its way up. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.