The seller of this 1961 Chevrolet Corvette contends he “found this car in storage,” which would be a very good day if it happened to any of us. The Corvette wears claimed original Honduras Maroon paint with aftermarket wheels and a later non-matching motor, supposedly a 283 with less than 2,000 miles on it. The Corvette appears to be in very nice shape with no evidence of body damage and nice chrome. Find it here on eBay where bidding is at $36K with the reserve unmet.
The Corvette also wears non-original wheels, which look quite janky compared to the stock rollers. The seller notes the original wheels have been located and will be included with the sale. What an excellent paint color, too, looking more crimson than orange but a standout either way. Although I like the contrasting coves, I dig the color so much that I don’t mind it being one shade. The Corvette is located in Illinois, so it’s possible the frame was exposed to road salt – but the strong cosmetics would suggest it didn’t see much winter use.
While the missing original motor is a bummer, the replacement engine at least sounds like a decent replacement: the seller notes there’s only around 2,000 miles on it, and that it’s a “…283 4 barrel , 230 horsepower, it is a new balanced blue printed engine.” The reason for the missing original mill are not disclosed, but I’d love to know if it’s on a shelf somewhere, much like the original wheels being discovered. The confines of the current storage arrangement suggest more that the Corvette is in someone’s personal garage and not abandoned in a storage lock-up.
The condition of the soft top continues the theme of strong cosmetics, so this Corvette was clearly loved at some point. Although the wheels aren’t my choice, they are period-correct (just not car-correct), so there’s little here to fault if the frame hides no dirty secrets. Still, the fiberglass can provide some telltale signs of prior accident damage, and door fitment and stress cracks are indications of previous repairs. This C1 looks quite tidy, but the non-matching motor might prompt bidders to ask a few follow-up questions before throwing down a bid.
Reserve Not Met at $36K (38 bids)
Wouldn’t a car like this warrant more than five photographs? And the couple of dozen better ones should be taken outside, where the car is not shielded by old electronic equipment?
I have to assume that the seller is listing for a friend, or someone incapable of doing so him/herself. Seller’s history includes one sale of any significance, apparently a ladies Rolex watch for $2K over a year ago.
Latest addition to the auction indicates that the original wheels are available.
Why would you assume the seller is listing it for a friend? He doesn’t say that. Even if he did, it shouldn’t necessarily be believed. That is a common ploy to skip paying sales tax and registration fees. That’s what someone did that flipped my moms Honda Accord, the seller put it up for auction on eBay, they lied about the cars history and it’s condition. They said they were selling it for their grandmother who couldn’t drive any longer. When the picked up the car from my parents, they even tried to scam them out of several hundred dollars with a sob story about his wife having her purse stolen. Every several months they list a car on eBay with a similar story, its always family owned since new, etc. Unless there is documentation I wouldn’t believe the stated mileage or the engine has been blue printed. It’s up to the seller to prove these claims, these sort of statements are often designed to suck more money from gullible buyers, nothing more.
Steve R
With ya..sold 1964 Plymouth with a bad knocking motor – which also had water in the master cylinder….they – two brothers knocked it down a little with a mother had a car like this….I got $500 for it which was okay….next we it was on EBAY with bidding up to $1800 based on their story – runs great and roadready – I messaged the top bidder the truth – and he was still trying to get his money back – sold about 6 yrs ago before the money back deal
Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought all 61’s came with the white coves on the doors?
Forget the Corvette man……how much for the CRT monitors?????
I’m betting that one of those computers has a turbo button on it…
lol
I have a couple big CRT’s if you are really interested I think they are 20 or 21″
I always remember the 60s Tv show ” Route66 ” starring Martin Milner and George Maharis !
I don’t believe the original paint claim.
This is the color of the most ICONIC ’61 of all time: Big John Mazmanian’s drag racer. Those welded wire wheels were not good in the day, much less now, and would definitely have to go.
Otherwise this is a very nice looking car and will undoubtedly go for stupid money.
I have the stupid part covered, it’s the money that’s the problem…
Seeing a Vette with those wheels reminds me of the Delorean from Back to the Future 3 with the 50’s rims and dog dish hub caps.
Naaaaa.
Who listed this car, a three year old? Why so many updates on a listing? Is it that hard to get your facts straight before typing????? Also, move the crap so people can see your item!!
caveat emptor x U+221E .
Honduras Maroon was a popular color back then, rightfully so. Had my 55 Chevy Belair painted that color back then and looked great. Color looks a little too light but it could be just the lighting. Agree with others, wheels have to go.
Staged ….who puts that kinda stuff – like fertalizer shiza and CRT’s next to their car…….just toooo clean and not mucho on pictures…….
So this Vette ‘found’ in storage whispered to the buyer she’s only been around the hood less than 2000 miles with the new heart? Plus just 5 pics. If I had a 1 shot deal to make bank on such a great ‘find’ I’d have all 24 boxes filled with a picture on FleaBay to get the most bang for my buck. I don’t buy it. Neither should a potential buyer.