1961 Chevrolet Corvette 283/270 Four-Speed

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

After eight years of continuous improvement, the 1961 Corvette was the most honed and refined model year of the first-generation design. Those refinements included a refreshed body that removed much of the chrome “gingerbread” that the Corvette accumulated from 1958 to 1960, while new rear styling with four tail lights echoed the upcoming Sting Ray’s design. Available “Power Teams” remained the same, including the most powerful carburated engine available, the 283 cu-in 270 horsepower V8 with twin four-barrel carburetors. Even the outstanding four-speed manual transmission – the preferred choice for exploiting the Corvette’s considerable performance – received an aluminum case saving 15 pounds, a sign that Chevrolet was not resting on its laurels. No wonder Corvette sales were increasing every year, to the point a second shift had to be added at the St. Louis plant in 1961.

This car is part of the George Foreman Collection, which comprises over 50 cars from the 1930s through today, with a focus on American classics and late-model sports cars.

Highlights

• Offered from The George Foreman Collection

• Finished in Tuxedo Black with Sateen Silver side coves with a matching black vinyl soft top

• Red upholstered interior with red carpeting

• Chassis Serial Number (10867S103744) decodes as:

  • 1 - 1961 Model Year

  • 08 - Corvette

  • 67 - Convertible

  • S - St. Louis Plant

  • 103744 - Sequential Serial Number

• Features the optional 283 cu-in 270 horsepower V8 engine with twin four-barrel Carter carburetors

• Engine Serial Number (1103744 FI026CU) decodes as:

  • F - Flint, Michigan

  • I026 - October 26 completion

  • CU - 283 cu-in 270 horsepower engine for manual transmission

• Engine block casting number: 8756519

• Optional four-speed close-ratio Synchro-Mesh manual transmission

• Full two-stage paint correction and battery replacement conducted by Dr. D’Tail in February 2020 at a cost of $1,860.06 

• New fuel pump and fuel filter installed in November 2023

• This 1961 Chevrolet Corvette is offered with the five-digit odometer currently showing just over 9,808 miles at the time of listing; however, the true mileage is unknown

Features

• Box-girder, X-member reinforced frame

• Glass-fiber-reinforced plastic body – sculptured side and rear panels

• Independent coil spring front suspension with stabilizer bar

• Rear suspension by radius rods and outrigger-mounted semi-elliptic leaf springs with stabilizer bar

• Full anti-friction steering gear and balanced linkage

• Hydraulic 11 inch self-energizing brakes

• Mechanical parking brake

• 16.4 gallon fuel tank

• Ventilated chrome wheel covers with simulated knock-off hubs

• Dual headlights

• Four taillights

• Crank-operated windows

• Vinyl-covered padded instrument panel

• “Competition-type” steering wheel

• Two-speed electric link-driven driven windshield wipers

• Electric clock

• Parking brake alarm

• Push button windshield washer

Known Imperfections

• Please note that the vehicles in The George Foreman Collection have been in long-term static storage and will benefit from additional mechanical attention prior to being driven. Bidders are encouraged to review the Additional Documents section of each lot for any recent mechanical service rendered to help return certain vehicles to running condition. Additionally, bidders should carefully review the photos of each lot in the collection, which may highlight the oxidation of metal components certain vehicles sustained as the result of a garage fire caused by a golf cart battery in March 2019. Although none of the vehicles sustained fire damage from the fire itself, the negative cosmetic effects of the corrosive soot vary greatly from vehicle to vehicle and can be observed in the photo galleries of each lot. All lots are sold as is, where is, and bidders are responsible for any desired diligence before placing a bid.

• Scratch along the length of the convertible top deck lid

Included

• Removed additional black vinyl soft top (worn and split, rear window yellowed)

Ownership History

According to paperwork included in the small history file, this 1961 Corvette has been part of The George Foreman Collection since at least 1996.

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Group Car Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner for this vehicle.

Contact: Cason Vogel Phone: 904.504.7848 email: cvogel@hagerty.com