Some people will look at project builds and have the desire to follow a different path from the one chosen by the manufacturer. However, they will never follow through on this because the idea of tampering with a numbers-matching classic seems unthinkable. That is what makes this 1961 Corvette an attractive proposition. As you will see, this is a blank canvas that will allow the buyer’s imagination the opportunity to run riot. Located in Boring, Oregon, you will find the Corvette listed for sale here on eBay. It seems that plenty of people like what they see because there have already been 35 bids submitted. This has pushed the price to $23,433, although that figure remains short of the reserve.
The owner purchased the Corvette intending on undertaking a project build. Sadly, some major health issues have pushed this beyond his capabilities, so he has been forced to part with it. The Corvette has spent many years sitting exposed to the elements, but thanks to the fact that this occurred in a drier climate, it has managed to remain rust-free and structurally sound. The panels originally wore Ermine White paint, but a previous owner performed a color change. The paint is well past its best and will need to be stripped away. The buyer might choose to apply either White or Blue, or they could decide on a different shade altogether. There are a few minor flaws to address in the fiberglass, but there’s nothing significant that would cost mega-dollars to fix. The owner says that the frame is solid and rust-free, and he will try to supply some photos of the vehicle’s underside if his health allows it. The Black soft-top is destined for the bin, but the frame is in good condition. Most of the external trim could be salvaged with little effort, and the glass appears to be in good order.
The interior used to be upholstered in Blue, but as is the case with the exterior, this has been changed at some point. It will require a retrim, but it seems that many of the more expensive pieces are intact. The gauge cluster doesn’t look bad, although fitting some new lenses would lift them to the next level. The wheel looks like it could be restored, while the original clock and Wonderbar radio are also intact. What this interior needs are a new trim kit and carpets. With those installed and some minor restoration work performed on what remains, it would sparkle like a new penny. The big question would revolve around the choice of material and color, which is another area where the buyer will have free reign to express themselves.
Our society is becoming more focused on zero-emission vehicles, and this Corvette’s drivetrain is about as environmentally friendly as they come. This is a case of “what you see is what you get,” and what you get in this case isn’t much. The Corvette originally housed a 283ci V8 and a 4-speed manual transmission. However, not only don’t we know which version of the 283 occupied the engine bay but both components are long gone. The rear end, suspension, and brakes are intact, so once again, the buyer will have some choices to make. Sourcing a period-correct motor and transmission should be possible, and a faithful refurbishment is then an option. However, the loss of these major components will leave the way open for the buyer to tackle this as a restomod build. It would be a path worth considering. Done properly, the final product could offer the charm and appeal of a classic Corvette wrapped around a mechanical package that is easy to live with on a daily basis.
Classic project cars like this 1961 Chevrolet Corvette will always excite the buying public’s imagination, and the bidding history graphically demonstrates it in this case. The Corvette is a blank canvas, and I suspect that plenty of the bidders are seeing this as a potential restomod build. Since reviving this car is not going to involve tampering with a numbers-matching classic, which path would you follow?
This isn’t going to go over well….. As you say, “blank slate”. Color: pastel green with a splash of cream. Drive train: modern electric or heaven forbid, Chrysler slant six! It ‘should’ get a period correct 283 4 speed but I’m torn considering the state of our Earth and the reasons climate change is upon us. Back to electric with…….sound effects, subtle V8 rumble. Let the mindless attacks begin. And oh yeah, the wheels are perfect.
Electric motor would be cool in this car. It would be controversial, the traditionalists would hate it. The “greenies” would at least not hate it. The instant torque of electric is awesome, even if you can’t drive it long distance with instant re-charges like a gasoline car. I have no qualms with electric, but let’s not fool ourselves into thinking it would be better for the environment, let’s just do it because it’s cool.
I am for electric in the proper application. Agree electric is just as hard on the environment in its current technology state. I wouldn’t want to charge it between certain hours here with new rate structure. I say if you drive maybe 1000 miles a year just put a 283 in it. You will hurt environment less than a Tesla driven 15k a year.
Electric is a fraud. As long as battery technology is what it is, the idea simply doesn´t make any sense. Never mind the ¨experts¨; everytime I hear ¨experts¨bandied about, I run the other way. Todays battery technology requires massive amounts of lithium. The mining of lithium requires monstrous amounts of fresh water, the residue poisons the surrounding areas, the water table is dangerously reduced and literally poisoned for over 300 years. To top it all of we cannot hope to produce enough of this truly evil garbage to satisfy the demands. Batteries last only about 7 years and cannot be recycled due to their extremely toxic nature!, ditto solar panels or wind mills. We are going insane, destroying nature in order to be ¨green¨ – a giant fraud foisted on mankind, that´s what it is.The ideal source of energy is oil and coal. The emissions are wildly exaggerated and manageable. C02 is plant food, without it we all die, plants as well as the animal world. We NEED CO2! All lubricating and even cooking oil can and should be be recycled.
Biodiesel!!! https://www.biodiesel.org/news-resources/health-benefits-study
@ Gerard Frederick THANK YOU! I have a vision of a dis charged electric car, being pushed miles to the next charging station and the powers out!
Do you know when or why the motor was removed?
Let’s see, “Boring”, OR? No offense to the people that actually live there, but really, you name a town “Boring”? Too easy for comedians. And $24g’s FOR THIS? It’s got ( almost)nothing. ’61 was my favorite, had a trunk, it was truly “Americas Sports Car”, and passed up all the foreign jobs.That was then, this is now. Someone with deep pockets will tilt this out to nine’s, with some silly pro stock motor,, hey, here’s a wild thought, since it’s about as square one as you’re going to get, make it a non-fuel injected ( all these simply MUST have F.I.) totally stock ’61 Vette, 283, 2 barrel ragtop,,,Tod and Buzz would be mighty proud. If I have to explain who “Tod and Buzz” were, I’m done here,,,
Howard A: You call yourself a car guy and make fun of Boring Oregon? That’s only because you don’t know that the little town near Portland is associated with Dee Westcott, an automotive pioneer and famed builder of fiberglass hot rod bodies as well as customs cars. When I drive through Boring, I take off my hat in reverence. LOL Terry J
Hey, it’s cool, my son lives near there, says it’s the best climate year ’round. I should talk, coming from Wisconsin, where there’s all them “injun”[sic] names. We used to laugh at how non-locals pronounced them. Wau-KEEE-sha, or Oconomonomowoc,Nahnee, ( Neenah),,. As crazy as the world has become, I’ve taken a real shine to “observational humor”, names, like on sports players sometimes, and towns are some of the funniest. Naturally, people like George Carlin and Jerry Seinfeld are my heroes. Remember “Headlines” with Jay Leno? Hilarious,,it’s how I look at the world today, a freakin’ joke.
Yeah, better move to Peculiar, Missouri – where the odds are with you.
You’re from Wisconsin and you pronounce Neehah “Nah-nee”? It’s pronounced “Knee-nuh”.
Shame on you Howard! :)
How about Boscobel or Muscoda (Mus-coe-day)? Don’t forget Oconomowoc!
One of the best stories about how a Wisconsin town got it’s name is the little town of Eleva, near Eau Claire.
(O-Clare).
You can always tell when a TV or radio person is new to the area because they struggle with the pronunciation of some of these towns. Fun stuff!
Fiberglass is an amazing material but thin paint,out in the elements, ultra violent light from the sun? but it’s still standing and theres still a lot of good parts on this,I see 283’s on craigs list, they were in everything, price? it’s a 1961 vette, listen to me, we need all energys! gas,wood,coal,natural gas,diesel…. electric is only one part of the puzzel, people are paid to have misinformed agendas! rough roads to drive and fuels to burn my personal motto, keep on rockin in free world!
There are plenty of decent Covettes of all years out there. Why would anyone buy this can of worms? One must truly have masochistic tendencies to do so.
For the right price this could be a good DIY project to drive not show or try to make a MILLION $$ on parts are no big deal and small block Chevy motors of all sizes and conditions are everywhere. Same with a 4 speed trans
I’m with you guys—283 4 speed. As Gerard said, this green movement is nothing but a sham. Myself, I’m increasing my carbon footprint 8 cylinders. If I may venture out on a limb then shut up–Sleepy Joe and his cronies dont like fossil fuels and want to force feed us electric cars and the classic car hobby is in deep doo doo. I’ll shut up now,
Cheers
GPC
Once again another could be beautiful car,but again it seems over priced for the amount of work needed. I’m sure part are very easy to find but also maybe expensive. Well I can only reply with positivity for the buyer,good luck and hopefully we can see it here after it’s done on barn finds.
I’d through in a Biodiesel Engine: https://www.biodiesel.org/news-resources/health-benefits-study
Did I really see the phrase “matching numbers”? How is that with no motor and tranny a matching numbers car?
One yr past the nice rear (Italian looking) I like most the rest. So…back it up & put the Blue Flame in w/two side draft Carters ! Sacrilege U say? Nuttin there & a truck engine never hurt any of these other hot rods…