Before you start making plans to raid the inheritance from your grandmother, this 1961 Corvette is not for sale. The trader, who is a dealer, only wants to do a trade and only for a specific other car: another Corvette, but from the 1963-67 era. If you have such a car and are willing to swap, you’d be getting what appears to be a nice ’61 with only 63,000 miles and in storage for 40 years. The car is in Woodstock, Connecticut and posted here on Facebook Marketplace.
The Chevy Corvette, which has become known as “America’s Sports Car” got its start in 1953. For years, production numbers were low, not breaking 10,000 units until 1960. The first generation of the car lasted through 1962 and was replaced the following year by one of the most ironic designs of the car, which included the Holy Grail, the 1963 split-window coupe. Changes for 1961 included four taillights, a styling treatment that continues even now. The engine of choice was still the 283 cubic inch V-8, but they were two fuel-injected choices as well as two four-barrel carbureted motors. At nearly 11,000 units sold, the 1961 ‘Vette was Chevy’s highest seller yet. (Source: Vette-Vues)
We don’t know much about this particular ’61 Corvette and few photos are provided, including none of the interior or engine compartment. The trader is a dealer, who no doubt unearthed this black beauty after 40 years of slumber. It only amassed 63,000 miles before that, we’re told. The trader says the car has a good body and frame and comes in triple-black with two tops. We’re not told what’s under the hood and if the car even runs.
So, what would constitute a good trade? 1961 Corvettes can range from $30,000 in fair condition to $100,000 in Concours. A 1963 with the same condition parameters might be from $40,000 to $150,000. So, by looking for a 1963-67 coupe, the “seller” wants to trade up. There’s no mention if cash would be part of the trade, up or down.
It’s bad enough when you can’t be bothered to wash the car you are trying to trade away, it’s inexcusable they couldn’t even put it on the lift it’s parked under so you could include pictures of the frame.
Steve R
I wish I had the source of the “barn find” dust that seems to be necessary in order to sprinkle on a “genuine” 20, 30 or 40-year old “barn-find” that you hope to sell/trade via too few pictures, and a generous coating of “pixie dust”. (like the special mud used to rub up new baseballs) Most barn finds really mean the buyer has years of rust, rat manure, blemished trim, and general storage neglect to deal with in order to get to a beginning point restoration. Good luck to this dealer who wants to trade up for his dirty, poorly advertised Corvette.
Duane, I am selling barn find dust for $20 per pound. How many cans would you like?
Those are about the most one sided terms I ever heard of.
Do you mean “iconic”?
I want to trade you screen legend Anthony Quinn’s undershirt
He cannot get out of it what he want, thus trade only. Where is he going to buy a 63-67 corvette for 25K? That is all his car is worth.
The 1961-62 Corvettes are my least favorite models from the 1955-1973 model years for the transitioning in both years that gave us a 1960 front end with less chrome and an early 1963 back end design.
Even as a 6-7 year old in 1963, I thought my plastic model car of the split-window coupe was unusual for a “sports car” that at the time I believed meant convertible. I did learn that convertibles are best for slow cruising, or else all you stuff ends up on the road way behind you if left loose in the car, and your girlfriend has to spend time in front of the mirror after you get to where you are going fast.
I’m the exact opposite. The 61 Vette is one of my favorites. I was a car guy from birth. I remember my dad showing off to his friends when I was 3, I could name any car he pointed out. TV was in its infancy, I was 9, and a show about two guys who cruised Route 66 with a brand new Corvette debuted. As a plus, the theme song was glorious and went to #1 on the pop charts. (Look it up on YouTube, Nelson Riddle’s “Route 66” )
I hear that song any time I see one of those iconic Vettes. I was nine then. I’ve wanted one my whole life. I took a turn in the 60s as I got my first of many Porsches. But I have a special place in my heart for these cruisers from 1961, an awesome year in my life.
Bobby Troup
62 had a 327 cu in enginel
“WOW” The seller certainly needs to learn a lot about marketing. I was a used car dealer for 30 yrs. in Toronto, Canada and after selling 31,000 cars, I retired in 2010. The biggest effort at my dealership was detail and proper description and information. This ad has none of the above.”SO SAD” Such a nice find but a wasted ad. “GOOD LUCK”.
“Trade” in my experience means they receive high retail and you get low wholesale.
EXACTLY!!!
He will never sell that car for enough to get what he wants, a 63 through 67 Corvette, thus he wants a trade, to which, I do not know one 63 through 67 corvette owner that would “trade down” for a Corvette like his….HAHAHAHA! It is easy to understand when you are from “realsville”
Yup to the above.
Is there a water shortage in Connecticut?
I’m sure the dealer will insist on the ‘Vette he wants in trade, will have a nice layer of original barn dust as well!
When I was young in the 80’s, I apprenticed a short while in a race engine shop. The owner was an area legend, and he had a ‘62 which was very close to this. Gear head story some of you might like, I am sure some will doubt. His vette was a 1/4 mile car in the 70’s, he built the 283 4 gear car to launch at 13,000 rpm and shifted around 11. I did not believe him at first, but he had the motor still, though in pieces. He showed me how he hand carved the pistons so they would smack the valves perfectly flush because he could not source valve springs back then which could keep up at that rpm. He then showed me the nhra today quarterlies with his car featured on the cover, his Afro like hair peaking out of the goofy looking 60’s motorcycle helmet. Held a record for 4 years, I think it was classed as naturally aspirated carburetor small block, no power adders, and was a low 11 second car. Wheels up. Tom Cosgrove, he used to build all the motors for Bicknell racing as well as a bunch of other smaller guys. Helped me to build a small block ford that shifted all day long at 7200. Great learning experience.
This guy is NUTS! Cragers on the front, steel wheels on the rear. Look how high it sits. Blown up drag car if you ask me. Maybe trade for a mid 60’s Ford Fairlane. If it’s rough.