Description
1961 Chevrolet Corvette C1 represents a pivotal milestone in the history of the Corvette, the first American sports car produced in series by Chevrolet. The C1 Corvette, launched in 1953, was initially a bold attempt by General Motors to rival European roadsters. It stood out from the start for its fibreglass bodywork, a rare innovation at the time, but its early versions struggled to persuade due to modest performance, notably because of the six-cylinder engine that originally equipped it.
From 1955 onwards, the arrival of the Small Block V8 radically changed the game. Thanks to the drive of engineer Zora Arkus‑Duntov, the Corvette became a genuine sports car, with performance improving year on year. The 1961 model sits at the very end of this first generation (1953–1962) and embodies a synthesis between the classic styling of the early Corvettes and the foreshadowing of the futuristic design of the next generation, the C2.
The 1961 model is particularly recognisable thanks to the adoption of a new rear section, introducing the famous ducktail silhouette with four round lights, a feature that would become emblematic of subsequent generations. It is also the last year when the Corvette retains its non-retractable headlights, visible at the front. The overall design of the car is cleaner, the grille becomes slimmer and more understated, the chrome trim is less intrusive, and the lines convey more modernity. Inside, few notable changes compared with the preceding years, but the finish is slightly improved.
On the engine side, the 1961 Corvette offers several variants of the 283 cubic inch V8 (about 4. 6 litres), with outputs ranging from 230 to 315 horsepower, the latter achieved with Rochester mechanical fuel injection. It could be equipped with a manual three- or four-speed gearbox, or an automatic Powerglide transmission. Thanks to these evolutions, the 1961 Corvette offered very respectable performance, while gaining reliability and driving comfort.
This model is today highly prized by collectors, as it combines the personality of the early Corvettes with the foreshadowing of the Sting Ray styling. It occupies a special place in Corvette history, both as the culmination of the C1 and as a transition to a more modern era of American automotive design.
This example is equipped with a 4-speed manual gearbox, a hardtop and the 283 ci V8 engine. It runs very well, and is in nice condition. The white soft top is torn at the hinges, but a new black soft top is supplied with the car, along with a set of spare parts. The underbody/ subframes are also in good condition. It is currently registered in France with FFVE fiches.
