The 1960 Chevrolet — The Last of the Big Fins
The 1960 Chevrolet marks the end of an era. It was the last year of the massive tailfin designs that defined the 1950s, and it introduced a sleeker, more refined look that would carry Chevy into the 1960s.
**The 1960 Chevrolet Lineup**
| Model | Description |
| ——————- | —————————– |
| Chevrolet Impala | Top-of-the-line luxury |
Chevrolet Bel Air | Mid-level premium |
| Chevrolet Biscayne | Base model workhorse |
| Chevrolet Corvair | All-new compact (air-cooled!) |
| Chevrolet El Camino | The car-truck hybrid |
Design — The End of the Fin Era The 1960 Chevrolet featured a dramatic redesign that toned down the exaggerated fins of previous years while keeping the drama. Key features: darker wider grille, tapered fins, slanted windshield, two-tiered taillights, and a longer, lower profile.
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Engines
| Engine | Size | Horsepower |
| -------------- | ------- | ----------------------- |
| Blue Flame I6 | 230 CID | 135 hp |
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| Blue Flame I6 | 235 CID | 140 hp |
| Small Block V8 | 283 CID | 185 hp |
| Small Block V8 | 283 CID | 230 hp (fuel injection) |
The Cost • Biscayne: ~$2,100 • Bel Air: ~$2,400 • Impala: ~$2,700 • Corvair: ~$2,000
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The 1960 Chevrolet represents an important transition:
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Over 1 million produced — Mass production at its peak
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End of an era — Last of the big fin cars
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Corvair’s debut — Chevy’s first compact
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Affordability — Accessible to average buyers
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The Big News: Corvair Enters the Scene The 1960 launch of the Chevrolet Corvair was revolutionary — air-cooled, rear-engine, and compact. It was GM’s answer to the small car wave. The Legacy
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End of an era — Last of the big fin cars
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Beginning of a new era — Compact cars are coming
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Corvair’s debut — Chevy’s first compact
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Design refinement — Sleeker, more mature styling
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Affordability — Still accessible to average buyers
