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Year of manufacture1961
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Car typeConvertible / Roadster
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DriveLHD
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ConditionUsed
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Interior colourRed
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Number of doors2
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Number of seats2
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Location
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Exterior colourWhite
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Drivetrain2wd
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Fuel typePetrol
Description
1961 CHEVROLET CORVETTE “FUELIE” CONVERTIBLE
Designer: William “Bill” Mitchell
Estimate: $95,000 - $110,000
Chassis Number: 10867S105554
Decoded: 1=1961; 08=Chevrolet Corvette; 67=Convertible; S=St. Louis, MO assembly plant; 105554=5,554th 1961 Corvette scheduled for production at St. Louis
Engine: 283 cid OHV “Y-block” V8
Fuel Injection / 275 bhp
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Four Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
Mileage: 50,731
● Original Fuel Injected Drivetrain
● One Repaint From New, Original Interior
● Ready to be Drive or judged
The Model: 1961 was a transitional year for Corvette in terms of styling. While the front of the car was an attractive facelift of the 1958 design credited to Harley Earl’s ideas, the softer looking front grille and “ducktail” rear end design came from the new kids on the block under the direction Bill Mitchell. Under the hood the small-block V8, still sported 283 cubic inches, which had powered every Corvette produced since 1957, however, treated to a number of improvements like Fuel Injection, the horsepower saw welcomed increases. New standard features introduced for 1961’s Corvette include aluminum cased four-speed transmissions plus aluminum radiators, windshield washers, interior lamps, sun visors and a warning light for the parking brake. Just 10,939 Corvettes were produced for the 1961 model year, making them one of the most desirable models for collectors. It would also mark the last year two-toned Corvettes would be offered until 1978.
The Car: Out of the relatively low production numbers for the 1961 Corvettes, even lower were the number that came from the factory with fuel injection, just 118. This beautiful convertible is finished in Ermine White with Sateen Silver cove and complimented with a red vinyl bucket seat. Powered by the original CRcode V8, which is the 275 HP version, it is capable of delivering plenty of torque, however this setup was considered the most user friendly “fuelie” available .Other extras include factory tachometer, clock and AM radio. According to our consignor this car was treated to a high quality repaint and a new top a number of years ago, but the soft trim appears to be original. Maintained as a collector car for many decades it was invited to be one of the first Corvettes on display when the National Corvette Museum opened its doors in Bowling Green, Kentucky.