Vehicle Description
1961 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
"America's sports car gets a new look! Take a classic sports car
design. Give it tasteful new styling.That's Corvette in 1961.
Starting with the sleek rear deck, it's clean and uncluttered. From
this point forward, it becomes obvious this new Corvette was
designed to be driven. No matter what the occasion, black tie or
tennis shoes, Corvette is appropriate. If you're an enthusiastic
rallyist, and about towner, a countryside explorer, or all three,
Corvette matches your mood." From the 1961 Corvette brochure.
For consignment, a 1961 Chevrolet Corvette convertible showing
23,847 miles, but the true miles are unknown. Owned by our
consignor since 2011, the car's had a new interior, including
dashboard, convertible top, rear deck, as well as some mechanical
items. It features a GM crate engine and a 4-speed manual
transmission.
Exterior
There are classic Corvettes and then there are classic red
Corvettes, and this is the latter. Roman Red to be exact
surrounding the epic Ermine White cove and as a '61, this would be
the final year for the two tone cove. But with the raked trim
exiting the vent, it's truly one of the great American automotive
designs and worth the price of admission. That feature competes
with the sleekly shaped body and the amazing quad tail lights
behind a flat rear deck. Gone in '61 is the big tooth grille and
our example's darkened grated grille makes it look almost invisible
from a distance, creating gaping air intakes framed in very nice
chrome. Just as the cove is lined with stainless trim, so too are
the tops of the fenders with spears that travel all the way back to
the cowl. A black canvas top holds a clear plastic window and when
stowed, is covered with a hard tonneau to keep the wind moving
rearward. Hubcaps live on 15-inch wheels and feature faux knock
offs. Imperfections are limited to a touched up scratch and a small
crack in the paint. The rest is fantastic.
Interior
A contrasting black interior begins with clean door panels that are
accentuated by stainless ribbed panels that have a mirror like
finish and wrap around the armrests. Black vinyl buckets are next
and look great, especially as the car contours around them and
provides silver trim. A black steering wheel frames the arched
speedometer that goes to 160 mph over a tasty row of circular
gauges, all in black. The center stack has a nice nickel faceplate
for the clock and vent control under an AM/FM radio. A handle
present to the passenger capping a horizontal style cove with
Corvette spelled out, while a Hurst shifter stands proudly on the
center hump with white ball handle with shift diagram, mirroring
the factory diagram on the base plate. Black loop carpet is clean
coverage for the floor and reappears in less pristine condition in
the trunk where it covers end to end.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a clean 350ci Goodwrench crate V8, topped with an
Edelbrock intake and Holley 4-barrel, pumping out a consignor
stated 310 horsepower. It is backed by a T10 4-speed manual
transmission that routes power to the rear axle with 3.70 gears.
Power brakes were not standard yet and the configuration here is
discs front and rear drums.
Undercarriage
Driver quality underneath but likely cleaner than your Corolla, we
find some surface rust, residual oil on the differential and
transmission bottom, and some general patina. Dual exhaust runs
through glasspack style mufflers before exiting below the bumper
instead of through it like the previous year. Suspension is simple
compared to modern Corvettes, with coil springs in front and leaf
springs in back.
Drive-Ability
The trusty 350 starts right up after a prime of the carb and a turn
of the key, and the exhaust puts on a nice little symphony as we
roll this red rider onto the test loop. The cabin is fairly narrow
with not many adjustments and a relatively big steering wheel, so
this is one we definitely recommend trying! Once in, it's like the
cocoon of a race car and a rolling work of art. Plenty of power
underfoot and straight tracking adds fuel to your fire of desire
for this amazing sports car and all functional items work as they
should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions
were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee
these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Red on black with a white cove is a winning combination and a 1961
Corvette is a sure bet. This is a nicely sorted car and one you can
drive without the burden of concours level untouchability. That's
not to say it isn't show quality because they would absolutely roll
out the red carpet for this red roadster and who knows, maybe
there's a blue ribbon waiting at the end of the rainbow. Click your
heels together and say "there's no place like my home" for this
American classic.
10867S103681
1-1961
08-Corvette
67-Convertible
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
103681-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
