There is nothing like an early Corvette. Whether, it be that large steering wheel, convertible top down, wide white wall tires with metal wheel covers, circular taillights, or manual everything for the full driver’s experience as you are one with the car; it’s fun & will always make you smile like no other sports car will. This 1961 Corvette Convertible is powered by the 283 Rochester 4 Barrel V8 rated at 230hp is optioned with the 4 Speed Manual Transmission. The entire driveline was rebuilt, Engine/Transmission/Rearend. The engine was fully gone through about 10 years ago & refreshened a year ago. Finished in a beautiful two-tone paint scheme of Tuxedo Black with Sateen Silver Coves & Black Convertible Rag Top. Black vinyl Seats complete the Interior of the car. Vehicle Highlights include: A full nut & bolt restoration beginning in the late 80’s, Solid Fiberglass body, extra parts, & refinished to be a time capsule how this car rolled off the factory floor. The Wide White Wall Bias 4 Ply Tires are brand new, has Disc Brakes in the Front, Wet Sanded & 5 Stage Polished, the entire car is in excellent condition inside & out. The chrome & brightwork is outstanding as well as the fit & finish. The vehicle has been serviced & certified, ready to cruise on the road. 1961 saw updated styling touches to the Corvette as it began its journey from the C1 to C2 body style. It featured a combination of firsts & lasts, making this a unique year for the Corvette. Corvette designers often just tweaked a few things every year during the car’s early years, so it can be difficult to tell one model year from another. The best way to tell a ’61 apart from its earlier siblings is from behind, where there were a few new tell-tale styling changes. The “duck tail” shape with four round taillight pods was a significant change from the more rounded ’60 look. The exhaust was also changed & the outlets moved under the car, rather than through body. This design was a predecessor to the Sting Ray coming in 1963. The rear emblem had a spun silver background with the crossed flags over a “V” design & the words “Chevrolet Corvette.” The badge on the front was a crossed flag over “V” & the headlamp bezels were done in body color rather than chrome. This was also the first year of the fine mesh grille as opposed to the teeth design as the Corvette took a bold new step forward. This was the last year wide whitewall tires were available. It was the last year a contrasting colour (Two-Tone) could be ordered from the factory for the side coves, until the 1978 25th Anniversary Model. It was also the last year for the 283 Engine, which gave way to the 327 for ’62. Standard equipment included on the ‘61: new Aluminum Radiators, Tachometer, Seat Belts, Sun Visors, Dual Exhaust, Carpeting, Clock, & an outside Rearview Mirror. Underneath you'll recognize the Box-Girder, X-member reinforced Frame, Independent Coil Spring Front Suspension with Stabilizer Bar. Rear Suspension Bi-Radius Rods & Outrigger-Mounted Semi Elliptic Leaf Springs with Stabilizer Bar, Straight Axle, Unit-Balanced Tubular Propeller Shaft & Universal Joints, Hydraulic 11-inch self-energizing Brakes with fade-resistant bonded linings. Hand-operated parking brake on rear wheels & the 16.4-gallon fuel tank. This Corvette is a showpiece that can be enjoyed in any car collection & will stand up to other Corvette’s from its Era.
