NCRS Top Flight 1961 Chevrolet Corvette 283/315 Fuelie

Description

Over its decade-long production run, the C1 Corvette evolved from a stylish cruiser into a serious performance machine. The 1953 debut model turned heads, but it wasn’t until 1955 — when the revolutionary small-block V8 debuted — that Corvette got serious muscle.

A year later, the Corvette received a sleeker, more aggressive body. And by 1957, the 283-cubic-inch engine was producing a remarkable one horsepower per cubic inch. Its styling further matured in 1958 with dual headlights and frame-mounted bumpers.

The 1961 model bridged past and future with bold design and proven performance. Under the hood, the high-revving 283 cu-in V8 made its final appearance — equipped with Rochester fuel injection, it delivered a screaming 315 horsepower. The front end retained classic C1 cues with a cleaner grille, while the rear previewed the upcoming C2 with its sculpted tail, recessed quad taillights, and underbody exhaust outlets — styling elements still found in modern Corvettes.

This example has been treated to a full restoration and mechanical refresh, proudly retains its 315-horsepower, fuel injected 283, and received an NCRS Top Flight award from the Kansas City chapter with a 96.1 score.

Highlights

• Restored 1961 Corvette Fuelie with NCRS Top Flight honors

• CS-code 283 cu-in fuel-injected V8 with special high-lift camshaft rated at 315 hp 

• (354) #7017320 Rochester mechanical fuel injection for 315-hp engine 

• (685) Four-speed manual transmission 

• (AT) 4.11 rear end with (675) Positraction

• Refinished in (506) Roman Red with Red interior 

• White convertible top

• (419) Auxiliary hard top 

• (101) Heater and (102) Wonderbar radio 

• The chassis number (10867S104820) decodes as: 

  • 1 – 1961 

  • 08 – Corvette body 

  • 67 – Convertible 

  • S – St. Louis, MO assembly plant 

  • 104820 – Sequential production number

Features

• 15-inch wheels wearing 6.70x15 Firestone whitewall tires

• 11-inch four-wheel drum brakes

• Dual exhaust system

• 160-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, oil pressure, coolant temp, voltage, and fuel level gauges

Known Imperfections

• Driver seat has a small ¾-inch crack in the material at the base of the seat

• ¼-inch touch up on the passenger side lower front quarter

• Small crack in steering wheel

Included

• Keys

• Owner’s manuals

• Un-refurbished hard top with stand and cover

• Extra parts

• Aftermarket stock-location Bluetooth Wonderbar radio with Kicker speakers

• Copies of NCRS scoring sheets and scoring summary

Ownership History

The Kansas seller of this 1961 Chevrolet Corvette has owned it since 2022.

The consignor states, “Numbers matching, 315 hp four speed, 2.5-year restoration finished 5/24. Replaced all non-OEM parts with OEM parts during restoration. Starter, generator, expansion tank, exhaust, windshield washer system, fan and fan clutch, tie rods, brakes and drums, the list goes on. Mileage was 4,700 at purchase in 2022. Not sure if it’s a new speedometer or a rollover. Amazing restoration with flawless paint.”