As the 1950s drew to a close, automotive tastes were shifting from sky-high chrome fins to the more demure, modern tastes of the 1960s. These shifting trends were apparent in showrooms across the country and the-new-for-1961 Chevrolet Corvette was no exception. Making its debut that year was a new, contoured “duck tail” rear section punctuated by four round taillights and flanked by a pair of wraparound chrome bumpers. A precursor to the radical Sting Ray of 1963, it gave the public a preview of things to come.

Styling for 1962 shifted even further into the new age. The Corvette’s grille was now blacked out, its distinctive side cove chrome moldings removed, and it was offered only in solid colors. While styling was being simplified, 1962 saw performance magnified with the debut of the new 327-cubic-inch V-8 engine as standard equipment. Up to 360 horsepower was now available by way of a Rochester Ramjet fuel injection system with solid lifters—ample evidence that the horsepower race was well underway. Suddenly, the 160-mph speedometer on the Corvette’s dash became quite serious. Racing privateers capitalized on the new engine, as Corvettes took a class win at the 1962 Daytona Continental and won the year’s SCCA Class A-Production title.

One of these final-year C1 Corvettes is offered here. Said to have been the recipient of a full body-off restoration, this example is presented in the quintessential colors of Tuxedo Black over red upholstery and accompanied by a matching black convertible soft top. The car is equipped with a 327-cubic-inch V-8 engine fed by upgraded dual four-barrel carburetors. It also sports the desirable features of a factory hardtop, heater delete, radio delete, and four-speed close ratio gearbox.

A late-first-series Corvette in an ideal color combination, this striking example is sure to draw crowds, whether at NCRS events or local cruise nights.