Forgotten 1960 Chevrolet Impala Gets Rescued After 40 Years, Original Engine Wants To Live

The nameplate remained in continuous production through 1985. And even though it was eventually superseded by the Caprice in the mid-1960s and became an entry-level model in the 1970s, the Impala remained a popular rig. Come 2024, early-generation Impalas are among the most desirable classics out there.

However, because Chevrolet sold millions of them, the 1960s Impalas aren't very expensive unless we're talking about rare models with low-production V8 options. Fortunately enough, though, many rigs still get rescued despite sporting common powerplants. This 1960 two-door sedan is one of the lucky ones.

This 1960 Impala was rescued by YouTube's "5150mxVW," a channel specializing in Volkswagen classics. For unknown reasons, it was taken off the road in 1985. It remained in the same spot until it changed hands in 2020, but it hasn't gotten proper attention until now. All told this Impala was parked for a whopping 39 years.

There's not a lot of info on how original the two-door sedan is, but it certainly looks like the weathered black paint could be the factory coating. We don't see much of the interior, but the way it's weathered also suggests the upholstery is original. The black-on-red combo is also factory-correct.

Not surprisingly for a vehicle that sat for nearly four decades, the engine was stuck when our host began working on it. The unit in question is a 235-cubic-inch (3.9-liter) inline-six. It was the Impala's base powerplant in 1960. Rated at 135 horsepower, the unit wasn't anything to write home about in an era when Chevrolet also offered big-block V8 engines with more than 300 horsepower.

Most people know this mill as the "Blue Flame" that initially powered the Chevrolet Corvette, but the six-cylinder's legacy goes way beyond the C1. This unit was introduced in 1941 and received numerous updates until it found its way into the Impala. Discontinued in 1962, it received numerous names depending on application. The 135-horsepower variant in the Impala was called the "Hi-Thrift." In trucks, the inline-six was known as the Thriftmaster and Loadmaster.

While it's not the most desirable Chevrolet engine out there, the 235 is one of the company's most iconic. It's also famous for its durability. Speaking of which, our host managed to get the engine unstuck and running again without taking it apart, which is more proof that owners shouldn't give up on these old powerplants.

The Impala is far from being road-ready. It has quite a few other issues and rust holes that must be fixed. However, it seems the new owner is hooked on putting it back on the road, which is amazing news for an Impala with a rather common engine. It's not only the rare rigs that deserve to be saved.