1961 Chevrolet Corvette
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$77,000 USD | Sold
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- 283-cid, 270-hp V-8 engine
- Four-speed manual transmission
- AM Wonderbar radio
- Heater
- Whitewall tires
- Flawless red interior
- Excellent chrome and bright-work
- All gauges, switches, and knobs operate as should
- High level of detail throughout
The newly designed Corvette arrived with the 1956 model. It has gone on to become an iconic model to enthusiasts and historians alike. Restyled with a more flowing body, the car was given concave side coves finished in contrasting color. By 1961 the Corvette had evolved into a very credible sports car with a multitude of SCCA victories to its credit, as well as an impressive finish of eighth overall (first in class) at the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans. Starting with this classic sports car design was a fantastic starting point to give it tasteful new styling touches, while keeping the car clean and uncluttered. Corvette engineers wanted to make it clear to all that from this point forward, the newest Corvette was meant to be driven, no matter the occasion – black tie or tennis shoes – the Corvette is appropriate.
Styling was carefully updated under GM design chief Bill Mitchell with a subtle new grille design, while the new rear end treatment foreshadowed the upcoming Sting-Ray with a neat ducktail design incorporating four cylindrical taillights. In addition, the growing list of standard equipment now included a tachometer, seatbelts, sunvisors, dual exhaust, carpet, electric clock, outside rearview mirror, windshield washers, courtesy light, temperature-controlled radiator fan, parking brake warning light and an aluminum radiator.
In addition to the standards, this Corvette is equipped with the very desirable 283-cid, 270-hp V-8 engine and is paired up with the Saginaw four-speed manual transmission. The car is presented in two-tone; this was an option in the 1961 model year for the final time. The soft-top is black vinyl and the interior is richly appointed with red. Full factory wheel covers with two-eared spinners, optional whitewall tires and optional Wonderbar radio are also fine attributes for this car. All of the dashboard gauges, switches and knobs look outstanding and operate as they should. The condition of this car is not to be understated, as it is finished to a high level of detail inside, outside, and even underneath. This open top Corvette fits the bill of what an American sports car should be.