**THIS VEHICLE WILL BE SELLING WITH NO RESERVE AT THE UPCOMING BARRETT JACKSON AUCTION BEING HELD IN WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 25-27. ONCE THE LOT NUMBERS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED IT WILL BE UPDATED HERE. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING PLEASE REGISTER WITH BARRETT JACKSON DIRECTLY. IT'S A QUICK AND SIMPLE PROCESS. YOU CAN BID IN PERSON, ONLINE OR OVER THE PHONE. PLEASE CALL WITH ANY QUESTIONS.**
“MS CLASSIC CARS has owned and sold some really amazing authentic C1 and C2 Corvettes over the years that have been certified and judged at the highest level. This is the best overall factory restored C1 I've ever owned and one of the best I've ever seen. It's also one of only 1,462 produced in 1961 with the 283/315hp fuel injected V8 engine. The level of restoration, rare color combination and NCRS Top Flight Award makes this a very desirable matching numbers Corvette.” – Marc Schiliro
This gorgeous 1961 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Fuelie one of only 1,462 produced with the 283/315hp fuel injected V8 engine. This example was correctly restored to show quality standards and has achieved a NCRS Top Flight Award scoring 98.2 points. The NCRS owner's card, NCRS judging sheets and NCRS Top Flight Award are included. A total of 10,939 Corvette Convertibles were produced in model year 1961. Of those, only 855 were painted Jewel Blue which was exclusive to a 1961. Of those, only 1,462 were equipped with the 283/315hp fuel injected V8 engine. The exterior styling was facelifted for 1961. It was the first Corvette without heavy “teeth” in the grill area. The forward headlight bezels were painted body color. The rear was completely restyled with four taillights, now a Corvette tradition, but a new look for 1961. This was the last year for use of 283ci engines in Corvettes. The example was originally ordered with a Jewel Blue solid color exterior and blue interior. It features a Black soft top and a body-color auxiliary hardtop with new stand for storage. This example was the product of a complete frame off restoration from 2012 to 2015. It was restored by well-known Dave Evans of Evans Investments located in Blue Springs, MO. The restoration was done using an NCRS 1961-1962 Corvette Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide which is included. This restoration was done with an open checkbook and miscellaneous receipts are included. Upon completion, about a year later it was purchased by a gentleman named Jack Wallace who lives in Missouri. Jack, an NCRS member earned the NCRS Top Flight Award on April 15th, 2017. Jack sold the car in 2018 to another gentleman named Rocky Boler who lives in New York. Rocky, a collector displayed the car proudly and drove it seldom. Rocky decided to sell the car after 8 years of ownership and it was purchased by MS CLASSIC CARS in January of 2025. At the time of purchase the car only had 112 miles on the odometer. February of 2025 is the first time it's been listed it for sale.
The exterior of this C1 is absolutely stunning in every sense of the word. The body was stripped, prepped and paint in its original color of Jewel Blue. The body is extremely straight with excellent gap lines throughout. The high show quality Jewel Blue paint was recently detailed by the team at MS CLASSIC CARS and looks amazing. Since the car has only been driven 125 miles it wasn't susceptible to road rash or chips. It was outfitted with a new black soft top which is easy to operate and fits nicely. It's also equipped with a painted hardtop that also fits nicely. The front windshield and door glass was replaced with new date stamped glass which is crystal clear. Everything on the exterior was restored or replaced new such as the glass trim, wiper arms, driver's side mirror, hood trim, front grill, T3 headlights, front bumpers, front license plate assembly, body moldings, door handles, gas cap cover, tail lights, rear bumpers and emblems. The car rolls on the correct style 15” steel wheels that were painted body color and decorated with chrome dog dish hub caps. The wheels are wrapped with BF Goodrich Silvertown 6.70-15 tires. Everything on the exterior is in working order such as the wipers, parking lights, headlights, turn signals and brake lights.
The interior of this C1 is also absolutely stunning in every sense of the word. The interior was redone in its original blue color which complements the exterior perfectly. The door sills were redesigned as one-piece, instead of two-piece as in 1960. The upholstery and interior trim was sourced from well-known Al Knoch interiors. Everything in the interior was restored or replaced new during the restoration such as the sun visors, dash mounted rear view mirror, dash, gauges, controls, steering wheel, Wonder Bar AM radio, analog clock, door panels, door hardware, bucket seats, seat belts, shifter bezel, carpeting and pedals. All of the aluminum trim was also replaced new. It's been outfitted with Corvette embossed carpeted floor mats. The trunk compartment was beautifully restored and painted body color. It was outfitted with a correct style blue rubber trunk mat. It's also equipped with a full matching spare tire and jack tools. Everything in the interior is in working order including the lighting, gauges, heating system, clock and radio.
The engine compartment is highly detailed throughout with many correct parts. The firewall, inner body and radiator support was refinished in the correct shade of black. Everything was restored or replaced new during the restoration. The car is powered by the original matching numbers 283/315hp fuel injected V8. The engine is topped with a Rochester Ram jet mechanical fuel injection system. As the receipts document the engine and fuel injection was completely rebuilt. This engine runs and sounds excellent! The engine is cooled by a new correct style crossflow aluminum radiator which was introduced in 1961. This unit includes a separate side-mount expansion tank. The engine breathes through the correct style manifolds and dual exhaust system. The exhaust exited below the body on the 1961 model which was a change from previous Corvettes which exited through the rear body panel or rear bumper. The engine is coupled to the original 4-speed manual transmission. The aluminum transmission case was introduced in 1961. The transmission was completely rebuilt and shifts smoothly. The power is transferred to the rear end which was also rebuilt.
The undercarriage is also highly detailed throughout with many correct parts. The floors were left in the correct natural finish. The frame was stripped, prepped and refinished in the correct shade of black. Everything was restored or replaced new during the restoration such as the fuel system, suspension components and braking system. The engine compartment, frame and miscellaneous parts were decorated with assembly paint markings throughout.
