283 cu. in. V-8 engine, Rochester mechanical fuel injection, Muncie four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with unequal-length A-arms, coil springs and anti-roll bar, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and anti-roll bar, and RPO 687 four-wheel hydraulic ventilated drum brakes. Wheelbase: 102"

- One of very few competition-oriented RPO 582/RPO 687 1961 Corvettes

- Complete with the original matching-numbers engine and fuel-injection unit

- Converted for street use with preserved racing heritage in 1997

- Well equipped, documented and equally ready for road and track use

This 1961 Corvette is one of only a handful (some sources say as few as 15) competition-oriented Corvettes ordered new with the 315 bhp RPO 582 fuel-injected 283 V-8 and the RPO 687 heavy-duty brake and suspension option. In 1980, it was acquired by Richard Hibma and accompanied by the matching-numbers engine, which he placed into storage. Mr. Hibma installed a 301-cid racing engine, a Muncie four-speed and a fire-suppression system among other changes and raced the Corvette in 1987 and 1988.

In 1992 retired GM and Corvette development engineer Bob Clift drove the Corvette at Sebring during the vintage race prior to the famous 12-hour race. There, Mr. Clift and the Corvette performed extremely well by setting fastest lap time several times. The Corvette continued its vintage-racing career until 1996, when it was retired after the Rolex Legends at Daytona event.

During 1997, the old warrior was converted for street use, and it was disassembled, thoroughly checked over and reassembled using only the best parts. In 1999, the car’s factory-original 315 hp 283 V-8 was reinstalled. Although the original engine had fewer than 500 miles of use at the time, it was bored 0.030 over, and all internals were replaced. Roller tappets and 68 cc ‘462’ cylinder heads were installed, along with a solid-lifter Chevrolet cam. The original fuel-injection unit was fully inspected and rebuilt by Richard Hibma in 1998, with solenoids added for cranking signals and fuel flow. The original interior, bumpers, grille and other road items were reinstalled, along with a VDO tachometer.

Very clean, presentable and complete with its HSR and SVRA logbooks, copies of magazine articles, spec sheets and race notes, this 1961 Corvette is equally ready for the road and the track. Retaining its matching-numbers “Fuelie” engine and on the button, it also looks the part in its American racing colors.