Very Sharp C1 w/ Period Correct 283 V8, Powerglide, PS, Front Discs, Both Tops

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Description

Few cars have the timeless appeal of the first-generation Corvette, also known as the "solid axle" cars. This 1961 Corvette roadster boasts a period-correct 283 cubic-inch V8 and smooth-shifting Powerglide automatic transmission, coupled with a handsome white-on-black paint job, making it one of the most reasonable and turnkey C1s we've ever featured, ready for both the road and the cruise-in circuit. The 1961 Corvettes were a sneak-preview of the upcoming 1963 Stingray, and offered the slick... ducktail rear end and the round taillights that are a Corvette trademark to this day. It's also true that the Corvette had evolved from a crude sports car into an A-list celebrity, welcome at any event thanks to its sophistication, but still able to run with the fastest machines on earth. Few could do it better than this dialed-in roadster, which still looks nice thanks to a combination of restoration and preservation throughout the years, along with a long life of conscientious care. The two-tone Ermine White with Sateen Silver side coves (a $16.15 option) paint scheme was done to a nice standard, so the shine is great and seems to emphasize the car's dramatic curves and sharp creases. Perfect it is not, but that's not what this car is about, as this C1 is destined to be driven regularly. The fiberglass is in great shape with none of the usual issues, and while it has been driven and enjoyed throughout the years, it still looks dazzling in person. Of course, there's still plenty of chrome, including the front bumpers, side cove trim, and rear bumperettes, and the overall effect is very impressive. Be prepared to fall in love with this one. Coordinated black buckets are the right choice with Ermine White if elegance is what you're after, and the interior has been restored/preserved to the same standards as the bodywork. The seats have a comfortable, inviting look, and those narrow pleats are a cool twist on the familiar look and they show virtually zero wear. The instrument panel features a full array of gauges, including a correct tachometer mounted atop the steering column, which was still somewhat of a novelty in 1961. A Powerglide was your only transmission choice if you were looking for a cruiser, and I love the basic simplicity of the mini-console in which it sits. An OEM style AM/FM stereo has been fitted in the original dash and it works great, so there's no need to worry about entertainment on the road. It's odd seeing a trunk lid on a Corvette, but underneath you'll find a nicely finished cargo bay with a correct mat, and for all-weather protection this C1 offers both a white hard top and black vinyl soft top. You could get your 1961 Corvette with any engine you wanted, as long as you wanted 283 cubic inches. This one is not the original V8 block under the hood, but most of them aren't, and it's topped with an OE-style single 4-barrel carburetor, and the truth is, there's plenty of power everywhere on the tach. It has that old-fashioned low-end torque you'd expect and a genuine American V8 soundtrack from the factory replacement dual exhaust system. Detailed and ready to show off with Chevy Orange paint on the block, finned valve covers, and that big air cleaner, it looks genuine under the hood. Other correct details include a generator and ram's horn exhaust manifolds, and it's worth noting that 1961 was the second year for an aluminum radiator offered in the C1. The smooth-shifting Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission rocks through the gears and spins a stock rear end, and with the addition of power steering and front disc brakes this roadster steers tight and stops very well. 215/70/15 white-wall radials at each corner look flashy on the already attention-grabbing Corvette, particularly with bright spinner hubcaps. The 1961 sales brochure probably says it best: "If you're an enthusiastic rallyist, an out of-towner, a countryside explorer or all three, this Corvette matches your mood." Call today!