POWERFUL ICON: 1960 Corvette Fuelie ready to take on Palm Beach

March 2, 2018
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

Written by independent automotive journalist Tom Jensen

Heading to the 16th Annual Palm Beach Auction is a fine example of a Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie from 1960 (Lot #712.1), part of the John Staluppi Cars of Dreams Collection.

It only takes a single word to describe one of the most potent and iconic engines ever manufactured by Chevrolet: “Fuelie.”

The fuel-injected 283/290 engine under the hood of the 1960 Corvette Fuelie Convertible coming to Palm Beach.

In 1957, Chevrolet stunned the automotive world by introducing Rochester fuel injection on its legendary small-block V8 engine. The fuel-injection system not only increased horsepower, but it did a much better job of distributing the air-fuel mixture equally to all eight cylinders than a traditional carburetor did.

The top-of-the-line-for-1957, fuel-injected 283ci engine produced an astonishing 283 horsepower, reaching the magic number of one horsepower for every cubic inch. Chevrolet would continue to produce fuel-injected small-block Corvettes through the 1965 model year, increasing engine displacement and horsepower as it went.

All of which brings us to a pristine, award-winning examples of a fuel-injected Corvette that will cross the block at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction, which takes place April 12-15 at the South Florida Fairgrounds. The Fuelie comes from the John Staluppi Cars of Dreams Collection, and will sell at No Reserve.

Lot #712.1 – 1960 Chevrolet Corvette 283/290 Fuelie Convertible

The car is a true rarity in Tasco Turquoise 1960 Corvette (Lot #712.1), with matching interior and contrasting white coves on the side of the body. During the 1960 model year, Chevrolet manufactured just 10,261 Corvettes, which were available in a choice of eight colors. Of those 10,261, just 635 – about one in every 16 – was Tasco Turquoise, a hue offered only during the 1960 model year.

Nearly as rare was the 290-horsepower Fuelie motor that this stunning car has – just 759 buyers ordered this motor, the most powerful engine available in a 1960 Corvette. Finding a Tasco Turquoise 1960 Corvette is rare, and so is finding a Fuelie Corvette of that same vintage. This one even has power windows, which came on only 544 1960 Corvettes. Finding a Tasco Turquoise, fuel-injected Corvette with power windows is next to impossible – one of the factors that makes this car so desirable.

The other thing that makes this 1960 Corvette so collectible is the lengthy list of awards and recognition it has received during competitive judging. This car has received multiple high-scoring Top Flight Awards from the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) in 1989 and 1990, including 98.6 National Top Flight in 1990. It has also received other prestigious awards, including the Regional Performance Verification (1990) and Duntov Mark of Excellence (1990). Bloomington Good certified (1991) and Gold Spinner Award (1990). This is a real-deal, no excuses example of a breathtaking C1-generation Corvette, the designation for all Corvettes produced from 1953-62.

Historically, Corvettes have always had a strong following among collectors, and Fuelies are high on the list of most coveted ’Vettes. And this beauty from the John Staluppi Cars of Dreams Collection is going to make its new owner very happy when it crosses the block in Palm Beach.