The Corvette’s journey from a stylish showpiece to a serious competition contender took just a decade. Starting with the modest 1953 model, Chevrolet introduced the revolutionary small-block V8 in 1955 and refined the design with a sleek new body in 1956. By 1960, the Corvette had proven its mettle by scoring a class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans—announcing its ability to challenge Europe’s finest sports cars.

The 1961 Corvette bridged the past and future with a unique body design featuring a cleaner front grille and a rear end with recessed quad taillights—an early nod to the iconic C2 styling that continues to influence modern Vettes.

What Makes This 1961 Corvette Special?

This classic C1 retains its timeless exterior charm but boasts a thoroughly modern chassis and drivetrain to deliver impressive performance and reliability.

Powertrain: Fuel-injected 1996 LT4 V8 crate engine, rated at 330 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque

Transmission: ZF 6-speed manual, providing precise control and an engaging drive

Chassis: Jim Meyer aftermarket Competition chassis for superior handling and rigidity

Weight: Lightweight at 2,971 pounds for nimble driving dynamics

Exterior & Interior:

Finished in stunning Dupont Blue By You (741519) with silver cove accents (745532)

Classic ‘62 Corvette red leather seats by Wise Guys, complementing the vintage vibe

Vintage Air conditioning system for modern comfort

Street and performance headers with chrome side pipes for aggressive sound and style

Performance & Handling:

Vintage Wheels: 17×8.5-inch front, 17×10.5-inch rear, fitted with 255/50ZR17 Nitto Invo tires

Wilwood 11-inch four-wheel disc brakes for confident stopping power

Ford 9-inch rear end with 31-spline axles and 4.10 gears for solid traction

Coilover shocks and power rack and pinion steering for modern driving precision

Aluminum radiator with electric cooling fan and overflow reservoir

Additional Features:

Early-style finned Corvette valve covers

American Autowire vehicle wiring harness and custom ECM wiring

Ididit steering column with leather-wrapped steering wheel

Trunk-mounted fire extinguisher for safety