Art & Inspiration How rare is a 1960 Chevy bel air , 2dr hardtop with a factory 4 speed

I'm not a Chevy guy, but my experience is the hole in the floor may or may not be nicely formed - my '61 Bonneville is a factory four speed car and the hole in its floor looked like it was hacked open with an ax.

As mentioned earlier, if this car came from the factory with a four speed it would have had a Borg-Warner T10. However, those early T10s weren't the strongest things and it's entirely possible the original had to be replaced at some point with a Muncie.

The T10 would have had a skinny little Inland shifter on it, with a shifter 'porch' on the floor that the original shift boot fastened to. I'd look at the floor pan for evidence of a porch, either screw holes or a mark around the edge where it was bolted down.

They looked like this, more or less:

 

Cam Spec sheet, this is what is in there :

 

When I was a kid my Dad had a '60 Biscayne 4 door. I thought it was the ugliest car on the road. Now, I'd love to find a nice '60 2 door like you've got there or a nice '60 Impala Sport Coupe 4 door. Oh well, maybe someday.

<O</O
I'm jealous.

<O</O
Doc <O</O

 

I remember back in da day seeing bel air hardtops w/348 4spd.
The bel air was a little cheaper than the impala on the base price.
The one i recall was a lime green with a 348/335hp mated with a 4spd.
Then thier were the Biscaynes 2 dr. sedans even cheaper with 348's and i remember seeing radio delete cars....JT

 

Back in the 60's I drove this 60 Biscayne 348/335 four speed.

 

bitchin'!

 

RW that pretty badass. great shot. thanks for sharing.

 

i have a 60 belair with a 283 3 speed and factory overdrive no radio car single speed wipers and heater only drives like a dream i think my wife is gonna take it from me she loves it oh well i will just be stuck in the 52 delivery

 

My buddy when i was a kid. had a 60 Biscayne 2 door post, all factory equipped. 348, trips. 4 speed . blackwalls, nut covers. This was the way the car was ordered . This was in 1965 , he had the window sticker for it. I think back then you could order just about anything you wanted. In 69 his mother ordered a new Chevelle wagon. the same way. 350 , 4 speed cheap model, nut covers etc. The salesman thought she was crazy. it was a real sleeper

 

First off that is one fine 60! Factory four or not that is a great find!! Everything on that car , 8-track, tach, Hurst flattie, even the barefoot gaspedal is period correct to the late sixties ..... love it!!

On the issue of if it is a factory 348 or not ... anyone can add the crossed flags on the hood so dont go by that and the vin will just tell you if it was a six or or an eight (not if it was a wedge or sbc) but if you crawl under and check out the fuel lin e from tank to engine, if 348 then it is 3/8ths line and 283 and 235 were both 5/16ths. Also the fuel line for the 348 was installed away from the exhaust (weaving on both sides of the X-frame) whereas the 5/16th run sometimes came close to the exhaust .

.... again, nice find!

 

If my memory is correct, the factory Posi-Tractions had a stamped ring around the fill plug on the differential warning to use only the special gear oil. While the pumpkin may have been changed take a look and see if that tag is there.

 

I've never seen this key deal before on a tach. Is it to engage/disengage the gear drive or what? One of you old(er)timers help out a whippersnapper.

 

^ its a reset key :

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=701683

 

Schrader valve for air shocks :



I cannot believe how clean this car is, the trunk is amazing :

 

Even came with a vintage 'Hi-Jackers' sticker in the trunk!

This score gets better with every new pic, lucky dog!

 

I have a "60 Biscayne that originally was a 6 cyl . I came with the Chevrolet crest emblem front & rear.The crossed flags are indeed for a 348.

 

Wow..it gets better with every pic you post.
You may be a Ford guy but surely this baby will worm it's way into your affections.

 

A 60 Chevy, matching # 348/335 in a 60 Chevy.

 

Cleaning up nicely.Great find.
Wish I had a Ford to trade for it

 

I think this one is gonna go to the classifieds , as much as it saddens me, . . . . I just can't keep it, this chevy has really grown on me and its been an amazing discovery and history lesson . . . but too many projects right now.

Just want it to go to someone that will make it rise again and burn some rubber.

 

Sweet!

 

This has to be one of the coolest finds posted on the HAMB in a long time! Certainly a step back in history.

 

Like many of the others, I don't know if your car is a factory 4 speed or not. That being said, to find a '60 2 dr ht is a rare find today! Very cool car! Wish I had it! Keep us posted on what your progress is and with what you find out ...robber

 

sweet car

 

Looks like a good way to make a sale to me,still a nice rust free car

 

'59 was the first year for factory 4 speed transmissions. It was a a Borg Warner T-10. The car could have very well been a factory four speed car but the shift pattern emblem
on the dash is not factory but I would leave it on the car it looks neat and something the
factory could have done easily using the Corvette shifter pattern plate. If I didn't have
so many projects I'd make you an offer. Neat old car.

 

Thanks guys.
Sold it on saturday, . . . . it was bittersweet, , . . . . . . But it was not meant to be. It worked out well.

Sold it to a local Teamster so it is staying in GA and i will hopefully see it one day cruising

L

 

I had two 59 Impala Sport Coupes, both 348" 335 HP 4 Speed cars. There was no hump on the floor and no shift pattern on the dash. You could get a 4 speed in any series car, I've even seen one in a wagon. I also had a friend who had a 348" 335 HP car with a 3 speed column shift. The flags on the front indicate a big block 348", either 250, 280, 315, or 335 HP car.

 

i had a 59 impala 335 three speed on the column later converted to 4 speed

 

To bad i was gonna offer you a trade for a 63 box top 427 lightweight clone.