If this 1961 Chevrolet Corvette is an accurate guide, there are still extremely desirable classics squirreled away in barns awaiting liberation. It is unclear how long this ‘Vette has hibernated, but the layer of dust suggests we can probably measure the time in decades. Only a thorough cleaning will reveal what will be required to return this car to its rightful place on our roads, but it definitely deserves a healthy helping of TLC. The seller has listed the Corvette here on HiBid in Ulysses, Pennsylvania. Bidding sits at $30,500, with time remaining for those wishing to admit a C1 into their life to make a play for this classic.
Following a faltering start, the C1 Corvette had cemented its place in the new car market by the time our feature car rolled off the line in 1961. That model year represented a new sales record for the badge, a trend that would continue annually for most of the 1960s. The history of this car is unclear, so we must take it at face value. If the color combination of Tuxedo Black with Silver coves is original, that makes this 1-of-429 Corvette so ordered. That doesn’t make it the rarest of the two-tone combinations, but it still represents less than 4% of total production for 1961. The layer of dust makes it impossible to assess its overall condition, although I suspect that the buyer probably faces a frame-off restoration before the car sees active service again. There is no information regarding the state of the frame, but with the storage environment appearing quite dry, the news may be positive. The White soft-top is present, as is the color-matched factory hardtop.
By 1961, the Corvette had become V8-only territory, with Chevrolet offering buyers five versions of the 283ci powerplant. A three-speed manual transmission was standard, with a four-speed manual and the two-speed Powerglide optional. Power outputs ranged from 230hp for the base engine, up to 315hp for the range-topping Fuelie. The supplied photos and lack of information make it impossible to make an accurate call on this engine, but if it is a 283, the single carburetor would make it the 230hp version. Of course, the aftermarket additions in the engine bay may be the tip of the iceberg that suggests this classic may have received a transplant at some point. The shifter knob indicates that it is backed by a four-speed, but beyond that, we are flying blind. It is unclear when this classic last fired a shot in anger or if the engine even turns. This is a case where the winning bidder will need to hope for the best but brace for the worst.
Apart from the wheel wrap, radio/cassette player, and shifter, it appears that this Corvette’s interior is free from aftermarket additions. It is trimmed in Black, which was the most popular of the four trim shades that buyers could team with Tuxedo Black paint. This interior carries as much dust as the exterior, and the winning bidder will probably spend many hours cleaning everything before determining what is fit for reuse. Still, at least it doesn’t appear to be missing any major pieces, and anything required to return the presentation to a high standard is readily available.
Classics that have spent years in barns will almost invariably have a story to tell, and I’m sure that I’m not alone in wondering why this 1961 Corvette has found itself in this situation. Interestingly, the listing seems to suggest that it isn’t alone, with the seller indicating that this shed also houses at least one other desirable vehicle and some motorcycles. This ‘Vette has attracted an impressive sixty-one bids, suggesting that there are plenty of people willing to roll the dice to take it home. I hope someone not only does that but treats it to the revival it richly deserves.
The passenger side alternator suggest a later model engine. The alternator mounting bracket bolts to the front of the head, which is on 1969 and later cylinder heads. It also has an HEI distributor, which was a common swap, but suggests the engine has had many modifications.
It’s sitting inside on what looks like a dirt floor, anyone willing to bid, $30,000+ would be wise to lay eyes on it first.
Steve R
Steve R
The electronic carburator, and HEI distributor lead me to believe this was last running in the early 80’s. Most likely a 305.
Based on those poor photos and without a detailed description, it’s already over-priced at $30,000 regardless of the drivetrain.
The pictures look like the motor is at least a mid 1970’s, possibly mid 1980’s SBC. It could be a 305 or 350, but there’s no chance it’s the original 283. The M/T valve covers give off a vibe that somebody has changed stuff.
The location is in far north central PA. It’s not the snow belt in NW PA where we dump truck loads of salt in the winter, that’s where I’m at. But it’s not exactly a dry climate and the building it was in doesn’t look good. So anybody who’s bidding serious money on it without looking at the frame and birdcage . . . . good luck with that.
I’m not surprised this Corvette has so many bids. With so many unknowns about the drivetrain, buyer needs to inspect it. Surely, that’s not a 305 in there now. That’s just sacrilege for a car of this caliber. Hopefully, it’s a 350.
(heavy sigh) – I bought a ’61, 283, 2-4bbl, 4-speed, for $1200 in 1974 … traded it even for a ’55 TBird with a 3-speed manual … but, that’s what we did back then … one of the fastest cars I’ve driven – wish I had kept it …
I bought a ’58 283 dual quad 4 speed in ’67 for $1,200 so I feel your pain. The lack of details on this car is absolutely stunning. It’s almost for sure worth somewhere in the 30s, but to say that the seller is somewhat less than motivated would be a gross understatement. Plus, if I were a bettin’ man, (which I am not) I would bet the motor is in all likelihood a 350.
Jon – Your comment was like deja vu for me! I bought a ’59 Vette in 1962 for $1,500 – traded it even up to a friend for his ’55 T-Bird, also a 3-speed manual! Loved the Bird (wish I still had it!). Tried to trade the ’55 T-Bird in on a ’65 Falcon Sprint 260 4-speed – but the local Ford dealer wasn’t interested in the Bird!
Ken – had a ’66 Falcon Club Coupe with the 289/2bbl/AT, white with black vinyl top … my dad had bought a new ’68 VW Fastback for us for school … I got rear-ended on a “road where I wasn’t supposed to be” by a GTO doing about 90mph – he was reaching for his cigs on the dash and ran up on me … that’s when I ended up with the used Falcon … a footnote here – the ambulance driver was a guy who had worked as a driver for my dad … the car driver’s date hit the rear view mirror and need quite a few stitches … the ambulance driver ended up marrying her … the doctors at the hospital said the only reason I was alive was because of the high-back seats the VW had – ripped ’em right from the floor board and I was on my back with rain coming in the window …
Uff da….
Duct tape, on the steering wheel is a nice touch!
This thing is like a hot dog. No one knows what’s in it.
Quarter jet carburetor is wrong and I don’t think it was 1965
The motor doesn’t matter if it’s not original, so zero points there , the interior is trashed completely, so zero points there. If the body is not patched up and the frame is usable it might be worth $ 20k to a determined person even for a driver or resto-mod.