1960 Corvette Fact Sheet

Corvette Stays the
Course for 1960

 

 Stylistically, the 1960 Corvette looked very similar to the previous year’s model. Some engieering changes were made.

 

Return to the Chevrolet Archive

General Year Information

On the engineering front, changes were significant to the 1960 model. A new rear suspension sway-bar improved the car’s handling. Aluminum cylinder heads and radiator were introduced but later withdrawn when service problems surfaced. Horsepower reverted to the 1959 numbers.

Models Offered

Click the Tab to See the Details

As in 1959, standard equipment included: tachometer; sun visors; dual exhaust; carpeting; outside rear view mirror and electric clock. Engine choices remained the same. Aluminum cylinder heads and radiator were offered initially, then withdrawn after service problems. A new rear suspension sway-bar improved the car’s handling.

Buyers could choose from eight exterior finishes: Tuxedo Black; Ermine White; Tasco Turquoise; Horizon Blue; Sateen Silver; Cascade Green; Roman Red, and Honduras Maroon. The cove was available in silver or white. Three colors of convertible tops were offered: black, white and blue.

50.1 percent of all Corvettes were sold with a detachable hardtop. 51.9 percent were equipped with a four-speed manual transmission. Briggs Cunningham fielded a team of Corvette racers in Le Mans in 1960. It is said that RPO 687 heavy duty suspension was created for this effort.

Engines

Click the Tab to See the Details

Base V-8. (Code “CQ” & “DG”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 230 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 300 @ 3000 RPM Five main bearings. Hydraulic lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 250 degrees, Exhaust: 250 degrees, Lift: 0.3987″. Carburetor: (Late) Carter WCFB 2818S PN 3766676 (Early) Carter WCFB 3059S PN 3779178.

Two 4-Barrel V-8. (Code “CT” & “DJ”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 245 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 300 @ 3800 RPM Five main bearings. Hydraulic lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 250 degrees, Exhaust: 250 degrees, Lift: 0.3987″. Overlap 28 degrees. 4-barrel Carburetors: Front: Carter WCFB 2626S PN 3744002. Rear: Carter WCFB 2627S PN 3744004.

Fuel Injection V-8. (Code “CR” & “DH”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 275 @ 5200 RPM. Torque: 305 @ 4400 RPM Five main bearings. Hydraulic lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 250 degrees, Exhaust: 250 degrees, Lift: 0.3987″. Overlap 28 degrees. Fuel Injection Unit Rochester Model: 7017200. Late Fuel Injection Unit Rochester Model: 7017310.

Two 4-Barrel “Competition” V-8. (Code “CU”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 270 @ 6000 RPM. Torque: 285 @ 4200 RPM Five main bearings. Solid lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287 degrees, Exhaust: 287 degrees, Lift: 0.3997″. Overlap 66 degrees. 4-barrel Carburetors: Front: Carter WCFB 2613S PN 3741089. Rear: Carter WCFB 2613S PN 3741090.

Fuel Injection “Competition” V-8. (Code “CS”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: CS 10.50:1. Horsepower: 290 @ 6200 RPM. Torque: 290 @ 4400 RPM. Five main bearings. Solid Lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287 degrees, Exhaust: 287 degrees, Lift: 0.3997″. Overlap 66 degrees. Fuel Injection Unit (Early) Rochester Model: 7017300. (Late) Fuel Injection Unit Rochester Model: 7017320.

Engine ID Suffixes were as follows:

    • “CQ” – manual transmission with 4-barrel carburetor
    • “CR” – synchromesh with fuel injection
    • “CS” – Synchromesh with high-lift camshaft and fuel injection
    • “CT” – synchromesh with dual 4-barrel carburetors
    • “CU” – synchromesh with high-lift camshaft and dual 4-barrel carburetors
    • “CY” – synchromesh 275 HP with fuel injection & aluminum heads
    • “CZ” – synchromesh 315 HP with fuel injection high-lift camshaft & aluminum heads
    • “DG” – Powerglide transmission with 4-barrel carburetor
    • “DJ” – Powerglide and dual four-barrel carburetors.

Chassis Features

    • Wheelbase: 102.00″
    • Overall length: 177.20″
    • Front tread: 57.00″
    • Rear tread: 59.00″
    • Tires: 6.70 x 15 – tubeless

Significant Options

    • Additional Cove Color ($16.15)
    • Courtesy lights ($6.50).
    • Deluxe Heater ($102.25).
    • Detachable hardtop ($236.75).
    • Electric windows ($59.20).
    • Parking brake alarm ($5.40).
    • Power top ($139.90).
    • Signal-seeking transistor AM radio ($137.75).
    • Sunshades ($10.80)
    • Whitewall tires ($31.55).
    • Windshield washer ($16.15).

1961 Corvette Production Figures

    • Corvette Series Number: 800
    • Corvette Body Number: 867
    • Body Style: 2-Door Convertible –  2 Passenger
    • Factory Base Price: $3,872.00
    • Shipping Weight : 2,840 lbs.
    • Total Production: 10,261

1961 Corvette In Racing

Briggs Cunningham fielded a team of Corvette racers in Le Mans in 1960. It is said that RPO 687 heavy duty suspension was created for this effort.

For the story of the effort see the October 1960 Sports cars Illustrated Article.

Body Paint Color Codes

Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:

1960 Corvette:

 

  502A Horizon Blue
  503A Tuxedo Black
  504A Tasco Turquoise
  506A Roman Red
  509A Sateen Silver
  510A Ermine White
  517A Cascade Green
  523A Honduras Maroon

1960 Chevrolet
Corvette-
Current Market
Values

 

Engine Options

    • V-8 283 cubic inch 245 horsepower dual four-barrel carb. engine ($150.65).
    • V-8 283 cubic inch 270 horsepower dual four-barrel carb. engine with “Competition” camshaft ($182.95).
    • V-8 283 cubic inch 275 horsepower fuel-injection engine ($484.00).
    • V-8 283 cubic inch 290-315 horsepower fuel-injection engine with “Competition” camshaft ($484.00).

Power Train Options

Transmission

    • Three-Speed Manual Transmission Standard. First: 2.2:1, Second: 1.32:1, Third 1:1. Reverse: 2.51:1
    • Four-Speed Manual Transmission – Optional. First: 2.20:1, Second: 1.66:1, Third 1.31:1, Fourth: 1:1. Reverse: 2.26:1
    • Two-Speed Powerglide Transmission – Optional. Low: 3.82:1-1.82:1, Direct 1.82:1- 1:1. Reverse: 1.82:1.

Rear Axle

    • Manual Transmission. 3.70:1 (10-37)
    • Powerglide Transmission: 3.55:1 (11-39)

Other

    • Three-speed manual floor shift transmission was standard.
    • Automatic transmission ($199.00).
    • Four Speed manual floor shift transmission ($188.00).
    • Metallic brakes ($26.90)
    • Positive traction rear axle ($48.45). Not available with Powerglide transmission
    • RPO 687 Heavy-duty brakes & suspension ($425.05). Please see AMA Specifications Sheet page 16 for complete information on this option,
    • Special 15 x 5.5 inch wheels (no cost).
    • Available rear axle gear ratios 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1.

Related Document
Downloads

Files directly related to the 1960 Chevrolet Corvette will appear below. Click to Download:

1960 Corvette Foldout Brochure

1960 Corvette 8.25 x 11.0 Print Advertisements

1960 Corvette AMA Specifications Sheets

1960 Corvette “Fuelie” First Impressions – Sports Cars Illustrated Magazine

1960 Corvette 270 HP Road Test – Motor Trend Magazine

1960 Corvette XP-700 Concept Exposed – Motor Trend Magazine

 

Related Images

Related Images to the 1960 Corvette Line will appear below

1960 Corvette

Externally, there was little to tell the 1960 Corvette from the ’59. Improvements were in the chassis and under the hood. 10,261 were sold.

1960 Corvette Rear Sway Bar

The rear sway bar (arrow), installed in 1960, added to the Corvette’s handling prowess.

%d bloggers like this: