Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 60
1961 Chevrolet Corvette Chassis no. 10867S103908 Engine no. S103908 F0612CS
Sold for US$96,320 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 60
1961 Chevrolet Corvette
1961 Chevrolet Corvette
Chassis no. 10867S103908
Engine no. S103908 F0612CS
Chassis no. 10867S103908
Engine no. S103908 F0612CS
283 Cubic-Inch Overhead-Valve V8 Engine
Rochester Mechanical Fuel Injection
315bhp at 4,800rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
A-Arm Independent Front, Live-Axle Rear Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*A beautiful and cherished example of the penultimate C1
*Desirably equipped with Rochester mechanical fuel injection
*Single ownership from 1962-2019
*An outstanding pick for high-speed rallies and tours
THE CORVETTE C1
The Chevrolet Corvette may be one of the most beloved sports cars of all time, but its gestation was fraught with struggling sales and infighting between the engineering team, led by ex-racer Zora Arkus-Duntov, and GM's bean-counters who seemed hell-bent dulling the Corvette's performance edge. Arkus-Duntov made inroads however, and from 1955, the compact and powerful Smallblock V8 engine replaced the outdated "Blue Flame" six. Common among all C1s was a steel ladder chassis derived from Chevrolet's passenger car line, with independent front suspension and a solid rear axle. The styling of the fiberglass body evolved nearly every year, with a completely new design hitting showrooms in 1956.
For 1961, the Corvette debuted a fresh new "boat-tail" design that hinted at the upcoming second generation C2, and also market the first appearance of the quad taillight treatment – a feature seen on every Corvette generation since. Buyers could make their Corvette anything from mild to wild, and at the top of the heap sat the "Fuelie," with its sophisticated Rochester mechanical fuel injection and impressive 315 horsepower output, making it the ultimate performance Corvette on the street.
THE CAR OFFERED
Brilliantly presented in Roman Red over a black interior and equipped with the high-performance 315 horsepower "Fuelie" V8, a four-speed manual transmission and matching hardtop, this three-owner 1962 roadster is the definitive Little Red Corvette.
The original used-car warranty certificate shows the second owner acquired this car on January 19, 1962, from Wigder Chevrolet in Livingston, New Jersey, with 4,504 miles on the odometer. He kept it in his care for an astounding 57 years until it was acquired by the consigner in 2019. In the mid-1980s, during the second owner's lengthy tenure, the Corvette received a high-quality body-off restoration finished to high standards, and in the ensuing years has been fastidiously maintained, while being enjoyed to the fullest on the road.
The Roman Red paint retains a deep gloss, punctuated by finely preserved brightwork. The consignor reports it to be a wonderful driver, with recent maintenance to rebuild the generator and shifter mechanisms. The block stamping corresponds with the original chassis number, and the "CS" suffix indicates the ultimate 315-horsepower fuel-injected option. Accompanying documentation includes the used car warranty certificate and original owner's manual. The older restoration has held up remarkably well, with some character and imperfections picked up through driving enjoyment that only enhances the car's inviting, usable nature. In the current ownership, the car has been carefully maintained with nearly $5,200 in service completed in October of 2023.
Built for just two years, the duck-tail Corvette is iconic piece of American mid-century car design seen by many as the most attractive of the C1 range. This fine example is ready for only its fourth owner in over six decades, and the powerful fuel-injected V8 makes it ideal for rallies, driving events, and touring.
Additional information
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