There’s no doubt that early Corvettes are amongst the most popular and valuable sports cars there are. Restored and survivor examples of first and second generation cars routinely sell for six-figures at auction. Even projects are commanding strong money and this 1961 is no exception. It can be found for sale here on eBay with a current bid of $21,600 and a buy-it-now price of $29,000. Located in Bel Air, Maryland, the seller says the car “…has been stored many years.” It looks like a fairly clean example but is definitely a project for sure. Check it out and see if this might be the project for you!
There isn’t a ton of information in the ad. The engine measures 283 cubic inches, but the ad doesn’t mention whether it’s a numbers-matching engine or not. It does say the intake, heads, and exhaust is original. The first generation C1 Corvette (1953-1962) had engines that ranged from 235 to 327 but the 283 was the only engine available in 1961.
This photo shows the wide doorsills in these cars. The interiors are very classy with the bucket seats that flow with the body lines and center console that goes from the dash, between the seats, and up to the shoulders. Overall, the interior doesn’t look too bad, but it is a serious project. You can see the gauge pod and steering wheel better here.
There is some debate on which grille and headlight combination is the best. Some people like the early first generations with the single oval headlights and wire covers. Others like the later quad headlight C1’s like this car has. How about the hidden headlights on the C2’s? They give the front end of the Corvette a very sleek look. What’s your favorite Corvette front end?
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