Click here to go back to main page...

    Talk about a project.  This was it.  After I had purchased my hardtop in 95, I wanted convertible.  When I first saw this car it was basket case.  It needed total restoration.  Here is reprint of the story I told in the Mar 2001 issue of Late Great Chevy Magazine, or Chevy Times as they call it now.

My passion for 1960’s started in the early 70’s when I was 10 in Missoula, Montana.  My family had purchased a 1960 convertible.  I can’t imagine they paid very much for it as we were definitely in the lower income bracket.  It was a red with the red and white interior.  I think it had a V8 with a 3 or 4 speed.  It was the most beautiful car I had ever seen.  Unfortunately, we did not treat it very well.  I remember one fishing trip to the river; my step dad had gotten it stuck in a huge mud puddle.  As water and debris started filling the interior of the car, his remedy was to take the jack, lift the rear of the car and then proceed to push the car over to the side numerous times.  I can’t imagine what that did to the taillight panels.  Another event was when it came to fixing the exhaust.  He used a tin soda can and clamps to cover the holes.  At any rate my mother wrecked the car when an old guy pulled out in front of her in the parking lot.  I recall them saying something about the A frame being bent and couldn’t be fixed.  Although, it was a short chapter in my life, that car was the most memorable.  I said to myself  “when I get older I’m going to have a 60 convertible.” 

                My first opportunity to own a 60 was in 1986 in Seattle WA, I was almost finished with college and I purchased a turquoise and white 2DHT from the original owner.  It had 82K miles and the interior was perfect.  The best part was I got it for $1600.  Unfortunately, I sold it 8 months later when I found out I had orders from the Air Force for training in Texas and didn’t think it would be the greatest vehicle to move a wife and 2 children.  That turned out to be a huge mistake, once settled in Texas and started to look once again for my 60 it was about then the prices had increased dramatically.  The same car I bought a year previous was now going to cost four times more!   With raising a family, the 60 would have to wait.

                It wasn’t till early 1995 that I would get another 60 although not a convertible, it was an original white with red and white interior  2 DHT with only 64K miles.   It was powered by a two barrel 283 and powerglide.  The car had the original interior still.  Over the last 4 years I’ve done a front end restoration and replaced the seat covers and carpet.  It was about this time, I gained by courage to go out and find that 1960 convertible. 

                In 1997, my search led my to 3 general condition of cars.  Excellent restored for $25K, average drivers for $10 to $12, and the low end field cars.  Well I wanted this to be a project so the upper end cars I didn’t consider.  I ended up finding a basket case, field car for $2500.  This is where the labor of love began.  Although, it was complete car, it had been sitting outside for the last 20 years.  Upon initial inspection I figured a few floor pans and patch panels I will be well on my way.  Well after getting all the junk out the car, there was far more rust than I could have ever imagined.  I still wonder why the front seat didn’t fall through the bottom and the car fold in half.  I was determined; this was just a minor set back.  A friend of mine said he had a 4 door impala and would let me have it for a $100.  That was one of my best purchases.  Now I had to find someone who is willing to cut two cars is half and join everything back together.  That person was Kenny Vincent of Farmington, Delaware.  He was known for his welding expertise, so $3500 and 8 months later I had a solid shell.  There were many nights I fretted about the project and wondered if he got that window post on right.  Meanwhile, I was working on the 283 powerpack engine and chassis.  After Kenny had done all the metal work, I trailered the shell still attached to the body roller 20 miles from Farmington to Dover, Delaware.  I had two shops help with the body work, Dennis Mikel and finally John Pearson of Hartly DE did the final paint.