We have it on good authority this stunning 1960 Chevrolet Corvette was ordered by a true car enthusiast. How else do you explain them wanting the best engine (a 290 horse, fuel-injected V8), the best transmission (a four-speed) and the most desirable color (red, of course!) but leaving off something like windshield washer squirters? More than likely they wanted to be the one to clean this iconic cruiser and keep it looking its best!
The restoration is a bit older, having been completed in the late 1990s but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t held up well in the years since. It was a frame-on and yes, the underside was gone over too with a fine-toothed comb. The Roman Red exterior is simply majestic when paired with those gorgeous wide white walled tires and chrome brightwork. The paint was applied in the 1980s and was done in the factory-styled acrylic lacquer style. The ruddy color scheme carries over to the interior – being found in the trunk and decked-out cabin. Slide behind the wheel and turn the key and the power plant rumbles to life. Those dual bumper-exiting exhaust tips simply burble and make sweet music to the octane-loving soul.
The mechanical maestros responsible for the melodious noise is the crew at Engines Limited, in Omro WI. They just completed a full top to bottom rebuild of the power plant in 2015. The shop is well-regarded and only works on Chevrolet products so they know what they’re doing and they knocked it out of the park with this one. Once you’re out and about on the open road in this dream machine, immediately you get the feeling it’s a halfway survivor, despite the ‘90s redo. There are nostalgic items that haven’t been replaced that transport you to a different place and time. Case in point – the steering wheel. This one is all original and you can tell. Wrap your fingers around its delicate frame and you just feel it’s different. From the factory, they had a slightly rough surface for better grip and this one still has that sensation. It hasn’t worn away or been replaced with an aftermarket unit. That’s just plain cool. Other areas with that same unique experience are in the door jam where the paint is untouched and original. It’s not slick and shiny and in fact is semi-gloss paint but of course is factory correct. It just screams authentic. Same for the center glove box between those bucket seats. It wasn’t redone and has just the right amount of patina.
The odometer shows right around 70,000 miles and the previous owner believes that to be original. They report the vehicle was very well cared for with all components working together for a very smooth and trouble-free motoring experience.
This Corvette has all the makings for a true American icon. Just as the original owner intended all those years ago, it has the right powertrain paired to exactly the right color. The only thing it’s missing is the right owner and that, my friend, could be you. If you’ve been waiting for exactly the right ‘Vette, this is it and the time to act is now.