Vehicle Description
1961 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster
A change in GM leadership delayed the next-generation Corvette, but
in 1961 'Vette buyers got a preview of the C2 generation in the
form of a redesigned rear treatment, harkening what would become
the Sting Ray design language. The car that won Mitchell's contest
was a coupe penned by Peter Brock, (who would leave GM in 1960 and
eventually design the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe). That car would
become the Q Corvette coupe, a design prototype built with
lightness in mind, using a Corvair transaxle and independent
rear.
For consignment, a 1961 version that is a precursor to the future
as it retains its dual open headlights of yore, loses its toothy
grill and goes with an egg crate grille. But when we move to the
rear of the car we are looking at the sting ray back and tail light
configuration. A meticulously restored, and former NCRS Top Flight
Winner in 1998, this car now takes the form of a replica of Larry
Lombardo's Top Stock NHRA winner and national record holder for ET
and MPH during the 1968 race year. Stripped down from its show car
status while still retaining the original 283ci 270hp V8, all of
the original parts that weren't used in the transformation are
included with the purchase, this includes the transmission, rear
center section, convertible top, exhaust, steering wheel and wheels
and tires. Wrap all this in Ermine White with a matching hardtop
and now I'd say you are ready to conquer the show circuit and the
dragstrip.
Exterior
Not unlike a beautiful flower blooming in the springtime, this
'Vette is all dressed in Ermine White over a molded fiberglass
body. This paint and body are both in near excellent condition with
hand painted livery and decals to duplicate the original record
setting 'Vette. Our consignor even went so far as to trademark the
name "Buckshot", which can be transferred to the new owner.
National champ and record holder have been painted on along with
the sponsorship from the now defunct Stoudt Auto Sales and Sinistri
Racing engines along with a mix of sponsorship decals and a
signature by the man himself, Larry Lombardo. Now all bejeweled
with beautiful chrome, which has all been replaced and polished
during it's NCRS show circuit days. We see the dual blue tinted
headlights, side coves with spears, and a new grille design is
ready for its debut on the streets. Old style front configuration,
and the new sting ray rear, split bumpers and all, it is all
straight unmarred fiberglass and chrome peppering. A body matching
hardtop is on and can easily be installed or removed by two people.
15-inch shiny chrome Cragar wheels blackball rubber complete the
exterior outfit.
Interior
Awesome original door panels in black vinyl with plenty of
horizontal ribbed aluminum which houses the window crank and gear
shift styled knobbed door latch openers are all excellent and
shiny. Squeezing inside past the wrap around windshield, and the
restored but original dash with its large curved eyebrow which
houses the gauges, and a wood rimmed 3 chromed spoked drilled
steering wheel. We get comfortable in the black vinyl bomber style
low back buckets. The dash with its eyebrow design is painted black
and has shiny bezeled gauges clustering in the round and all in
front of the steering wheel. Black carpet in slightly faded
condition floods the floors and in the small bezel on top of the
hump has a Hurst gear shift complete with the essential ashtray.
The center of the dash houses a Wonderbar radio, and a nifty
aluminum plate that has 60's style airflow levers, a large clock,
and a bottom wrap around shiny trim holding it to the carpeted
hump. On the passenger side of the dash is the coved Jesus bar in
black ready to be grabbed when the driver goes into the turn
(Jesus!). One of the niftier features of this car is the fiberglass
molded tonneau cover for the top, which has coves that form to the
back of the bomber seats. There is also a button to open the
tonneau, as well as a vertical glove box which cascades to the
center hump. All beautiful and comfy inside this example.
Drivetrain
Lifting the front hinged hood we are met with a numbers matching CU
stamped 283ci V8 capable of making 270hp. This orange/red block is
topped with ribbed Corvette logoed aluminum valve coverings and a
top is a dual 4-barrel carburetor set up. A Bruite steel case T-10
4-speed manual transmission on the back of this beautiful and
simply presenting mill. A Quicktime blow-proof bellhousing has been
added to the transmission in the name of safety and for reliable
power a McLeod pressure plate and flywheel are now on. Power to the
wheels comes by way of a 3.73 rear axle.
Undercarriage
All nicely painted black rust-free framing and natural finish floor
pans there was never a doubt as to structural integrity. The engine
bottom end looks just beautiful in the Chevrolet orange paint.
Independent coil springs in front and leaf springs are on the rear
of this car. 4-wheel drum brakes are also noted, and a Weldwood
front disc brake conversion is included with the purchase. White
coated headers snake their way down from the immaculate engine and
replaces the original exhaust, (also included with the car), and
can be uncorked to make some noise or left to flow through Spintech
mufflers which end in front of the rear tires.
Drive-Ability
An excellent starter and smooth runner, there is plenty of power in
this gal. Handling would best be described as sweet, and the ride
very comfortable. All interior functions performed well and for a
brief second I envisioned myself lined up against Dave Duell in the
finals, but alas it was only my crack decoder and partner in crime
sporting about and showing off his motoring skills in a Model
A.
One does not have to be attracted to this transition year Vette
with the old style dual headlights non hidden, and the more modern
shark like tail with the round lights and split rear bumper to
appreciate the time and effort put into this build. A fan of
vintage drag racing remembers the original and what a better way to
replicate it than take a NCRS winner as your blank canvas. A fine
styling mix of the original with that wonderful late 60's 1/4-mile
appeal that you could say is shaken not stirred. Definitely worth a
look and runs like a Swiss watch, on steroids.
VIN DECODE
10867S110146
1-1961
08-Corvette
67-Convertible
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
110146-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
