What engines were available in a 1960 Chevrolet?
Chevrolet’s 1960 lineup offered three main engine families: a 235.5 cubic-inch inline-six, a 283 cubic-inch small-block V8, and a 348 cubic-inch big-block V8, with various carburetion setups that varied by model and trim level.
Engine families offered in 1960 Chevrolets
The following overview highlights the core engine options that customers could choose from across Chevrolet’s 1960 passenger cars, noting that availability depended on model, body style, and optional packages.
- 235.5 cubic-inch inline-six (I6) — a durable six-cylinder engine used in base and mid-range models, known for smooth operation and good low-end torque.
- 283 cubic-inch small-block V8 — Chevrolet’s popular V8 available in multiple carburetion configurations (2-barrel, 4-barrel, and the high-performance Tri-Power triple-carburetor setup).
- 348 cubic-inch big-block V8 — the larger V8 offered in higher-trim and performance-oriented models, also available with various carburetion options including dual four-barrel and, in some configurations, Tri-Power.
Availability and exact horsepower ratings depended on the chosen package and model. The inline-six tended to equip the more economical models, while the 283 and especially the 348 powered the higher-end Bel Air, Biscayne, and Impala variants with enhanced performance.
Summary
In short, a 1960 Chevrolet could be equipped with one of three engine families—235 inline-six, 283 small-block V8, or 348 big-block V8—each offered with different carburetion configurations to match price, performance, and model tier across the brand’s lineup.
What engines were in the '60 Chevy?
1960 Chevrolet Facts – Engines
- 235 CID I-6 145 HP.
- 283 CID V-8 185 HP.
- 283 CID V-8 230 HP.
- 348 CID V8 250 HP.
- 348 CID V8 280 HP.
- 348 CID V8 305 HP AMT.
- 348 CID V8 320 HP SMT.
- 348 CID V8 335 HP SMT.
What was the rear engine Chevy in the 1960s?
Chevrolet Corvair
Chevrolet Corvair. The Chevrolet Corvair is a rear-engined, air-cooled compact car manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet over two generations from the 1960 through 1969 model years.
What engines were available in the 1960 Impala?
Impala overwhelmed the sales charts, as it had for years. Full-sized cars could have a 250-cubic-inch six, a 307-cubic-inch V-8, either of a pair of 327s of 250 or 275 horsepower, or a 325-horsepower 396-cubic-inch V-8.
What is the rarest Chevrolet engine?
The rarest Chevy engines are the 1969 ZL1 427 V8 and the 1963 Z11 427 V8. The ZL1 is arguably the rarest due to its extreme performance and high cost, with only 69 factory-built aluminum V8s produced for racing. The Z11, also a 427 V8, was an even earlier and more limited production model, with fewer than 40 units built in 1963.
You can watch this video to learn about the 1969 ZL1 engine, one of the rarest Chevy engines ever built: 55sIts Just Cars!YouTube · Jul 15, 2025
1969 ZL1 427 V8
- Production: Only 69 were built, all with aluminum blocks.
- Features: Included forged internal components, high-flow heads, and a transistorized ignition.
- Performance: Officially rated at 430 hp, but was unofficially capable of over 500 hp.
- Rarity: Its high cost made it a rare option, and it was developed to bypass GM's "no racing" policy.
1963 Z11 427 V8
- Production: Extremely limited production, with fewer than 40 units created.
- Features: An enlarged 427ci version of the 409 engine with taller heads and aluminum intake manifold and water pump to save weight.
- Performance: Produced 430 hp.
- Rarity: This was a limited-production run, making it Chevrolet's rarest engine of all time.
