Today the Corvette is as intertwined with American popular culture as baseball. However, it was a dream that nearly failed. In 1953, Chevrolet introduced a new sports car aimed directly at European competition. At launch, the new car was equipped with an inline-six engine and an automatic transmission. The early Corvette was well-loved by its owners and misunderstood by many sports car enthusiasts. Even though initial sales were lackluster, Chevrolet knew that they had a potent recipe on their hands. In 1955 Chevrolet answered the calls from critics and consumers by introducing an optional. With that, an American icon was born. The first-generation 'Vette went through many styling and mechanical updates throughout its production cycle. Most iconic was the quintessential quad-headlight design introduced in 1968. Engines and transmissions were upgraded over the years to include high-output options and manual transmissions. By 1962 Chevrolet had turned the Corvette from a poor seller to one of the most iconic vehicles in American history.
This 1961 Chevrolet Corvette is a spectacular numbers-matching example that has been exceptionally cared for over the last 60 years. It is finished in a classic first-gen color combination: red with white coves over a black interior, a matching convertible top, and the factory hardtop. It is in excellent condition and remains largely original. A pair of correct four-barrel carburetors feed the numbers-matching 283 cubic-inch V8 engine. It produces 270 horsepower per factory specification. Power is sent through the car's original 4-speed manual transmission. The vehicle comes from 10 years of ownership and has had recent brake work to ensure that it is turn-key and ready to be enjoyed.
