1961 Chevrolet Corvette C1 Convertible

This 1961 Chevrolet Corvette is painted in Roman Red with white side coves and a new black Haartz cloth top. There are red painted steel wheels and correct bright wheel covers. Amenities include a tachometer, clock, heater, defroster and an AM radio. Recent upgrades include a combination of new, re-plated and polished brightwork, new door handles, emblems, parking and taillight housings, weather stripping, wiper arms and bezels, a radio antenna, and trunk mat.

There is a 283 cubic-inch V8 engine breathing through a Carter four-barrel carburetor with an original-type bright air cleaner. The small-block engine is mated to a three-speed manual transmission and there are four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

For 1961, Chevrolet produced 10,939 Corvettes. In 2009, this example was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $60,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for $38,500, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2009