Designers at GM knew that the 1959 models would be a tough act to follow, and launched into the more conservative 1960s with a freshened and restrained outlook for the entire lineup. However, that isn’t to say that cars like this 1960 Chevrolet Impala weren’t extroverts, because fins and chrome were still very much in fashion. Chevy’s top-of-the-line model continued to be a runaway hit with the motoring public, undoubtedly because of its very upscale look, wide variety of options, and impressive performance from the top 348 cubic inch V8 with three 2-barrel carbs. A dizzying array of engines were offered in various states of tune, permitting every buyer to tailor his new Impala to his own tastes, from mild to wild, without losing any full-sized comfort for which the cars were famous.

Hailing from Tennessee and having spent most of its life in the south, this spectacular 1960 Impala looks like a rock star from any angle. A bit more restrained than the outrageous 1959 models, there are many who would argue that it’s also vastly more attractive. Gone are the twin nostrils above the headlights, giving the new nose a sleek, clean look that pushed the jet-age styling forward. The cowl tag shows it was originally Tuxedo Black, but when it was restored a few years ago, it received a correct coat of code 973 Roman Red with an Ermine White insert. There’s a lot of sheetmetal here and it was all straightened and smoothed to a very good standard before the paint went on, and the extra work pays off with sharp reflections and clean, straight lines. The paint appears to be single-stage urethane, which gives it a more correct look than 2-stage paints that always seem too shiny, and if the people veering across traffic to get a photograph are any indication, this sucker looks like a million bucks going down the road. It has not had any major sheetmetal replacements save for a few patches in the floors, and panel fit is quite good overall. The doors close with a gentle push, not a hard slam, and both the hood and trunk pivot open easily on properly-adjusted springs.

Of course, trim is a big part of this car’s appeal, and all the chrome and stainless was restored with the rest of the bodywork, a job that must have cost as much as a college degree. Delightful details remind us that sometimes it’s OK to just build a great-looking car, regardless of function—check out the cool rocket-inspired side trim, the faux vents in the front fenders, and the trim that encircles the tail fins like a blade. Safe? Probably not. Cool? Absolutely! The bumpers shine up beautifully, the stainless window surrounds are in good condition, and even the ornate tail panel that houses the Impala’s traditional triple taillights is in fine shape. Experts will note that this car carries both the stylized ‘V’ and crossed flags emblems, denoting that there’s a top-of-the-line 348 cubic inch mill under the hood. It also sports twin antennas on the rear deck, dual side mirrors, and accessory headlight visors for a period look that’s as right as the fuzzy dice hanging from the mirror.

The red and white interior was freshened a few years ago as well. It’s not entirely correct, however given the sticky flat vinyl used by Chevrolet in 1960, it’s a big improvement for someone who prefers to drive his car. Crisp white bench seats with pleated red inserts and piping look right inside the bright red Imp and it shows only minor wear since the restoration was completed. Beautiful matching door panels were created and work with the original trim to give it a period-perfect look, particularly with the armrests that look like exhaust ports. New carpets, a taut headliner, and a beautifully restored dash all make it feel very fresh inside, and the seats are firm and comfortable for long hauls. The steering wheel was restored as well, and while the shift indicator still suggests that there’s a 2-speed Powerglide, you’ll find that there’s an extra detent in there for the more modern TH350 3-speed automatic in the car today. Restored gauges look great and are fully functional (save for the clock, which is typical), and the bright trim along the lower edge is as shiny as the bumpers outside. A factory AM radio in the dash appears to be operational, as are all the lights and switch gear, and there’s a lot of new weather-stripping that helps it seal up tight and prevent rattles. Someone really spent the time to get this car fully sorted. Even the trunk is professionally finished with gray matting and a matching spare wheel and wide whitewall radial.

One of the top engines in 1960 was the 348 cubic inch Super Turbo Thrust V8, which used three 2-barrel carburetors to make a very stout 280 horsepower. This is a real 348 car, although there were no “matching numbers” in the traditional sense in 1960, so there’s no way to know whether this is the exact original engine. However, it has been recently rebuilt (less than 1000 miles) and detailed for show throughout, making for a very impressive presentation under the hood. Known as “W” motors, due to the uniquely-shaped valve covers, the gorgeous Chevy Orange V8 looks impressive sitting between the fender wells and snarls like a genuine performance piece. Correct components and finishes were used throughout, right down to the hoses and clamps, and even the exhaust manifolds were treated to a cast iron coating that looks right but won’t rust. Three deuces live under the large round air cleaner, and to the uninitiated, it wouldn’t look intimidating at all, which was perhaps Chevy’s intent all along. It starts easily, even after it’s been sitting and settles into an even idle without a lot of drama. Out on the street, it happily idles in traffic without getting cranky and it’s hard to resist the urge to dip into all six barrels, because this car really wants to run.

A modern power steering box replaces the leak-prone external cylinder that was standard equipment and makes this car track like a cruise missile on the highway. As I mentioned, it’s backed by a TH350 3-speed automatic which always seems to be in the right gear and you can summon up a quick downshift merely by cracking the throttles on the outer two carburetors. When that happens, hang on, because this big boat is surprisingly swift! The original rear end was freshened and reinstalled and it appears that there are new coil springs in back to maintain the correct ride height. 3.23 gears mean that this is a very comfortable highway cruiser, and with a somewhat throaty non-stock dual exhaust system, it happily burbles away at speed and offers a fantastic vintage V8 soundtrack under acceleration. There are a few minor patches in the floors (but no wholesale replacements), which is typical even of cars that lived in a warm climate due to failing weather seals over the years, but the rockers and other structural members are in excellent condition with no repairs needed. The brakes are firm and do an effective job of stopping this big car, although with the performance the 348 can generate, it’s probably smart to look well down the road. Four restored steel wheels wear Roman Red paint, plus factory hubcaps and brand new 215/75/14 Coker wide whitewall radials that look right and handle superbly.

This lovely Impala is accompanied by a vast treasure trove of parts, including a second 4-barrel carburetor and intake, multiple cooling fans, the original cast iron PowerGlide 2-speed automatic transmission, wiring, brackets, and many other components collected over the years, which represent a significant value all by themselves.

This is an extremely nice car and it’s hard to not feel like a celebrity when you’re behind the wheel. I’ve experienced a lot of high-profile cars but I have to say that very few can compete with this Impala for sheer eyeball appeal and the crowd that formed around it at the grocery store can attest to that. It’s also comfortable, fast, easy to drive, and eminently practical for the enthusiast with a family. If you want an affordable collector car that can do it all and look like a million bucks at the same time, this is it.