1961 Corvette

The badge on the front of the 1961 Corvette was a crossed flag over a "V."
A refined, thin, vertical and horizontal bar grille and duck-tail rear end treatment with four cylindrical taillights quickly set the new 1961 Corvette apart from its predecessor.
This design was a predecessor to the Sting Ray coming in 1963 and added more space to the Corvette's trunk.
The rear emblem had a spun silver background with the crossed flags over a "V" design and the words "Chevrolet Corvette."
The exhaust now exited under the car, rather than through bumper ports.
Standard equipment included
- tachometer
- seat belts
- sun visors
- dual exhaust
- carpeting
- electric clock
- an outside rearview mirror
- a lockable rear-seat storage area
- a new aluminum radiator
A temperature-controlled radiator fan was also made standard.
Seven exterior colors were available:
- Tuxedo Black (Black or White soft top)
- Ermine White (Black or White soft top)
- Roman Red (Black or White soft top)
- Sateen Silver (Black or White soft top)
- Jewel Blue (Black or White soft top)
- Fawn Beige (Black or White soft top)
- Honduras Maroon (Black or White soft top)

V.I.N. NUMBERS

The serial number (Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN) was located on a stainless steel plate welded to the top of the steering column mast under the hood.
Serial numbers ranged from 10867S100001 to 10867S110939

1 to 7	0001001	sequential production number
8	F or T	Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
9 to 10	Carburetion and transmission	CQ = 283-cid 230-hp V-8 with 9.5:1 compression ratio, three-speed manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor CR = 283-cid 275-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, three-speed manual transmission with fuel injection CS = 283-cid 315-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, three-speed manual transmission, high lift camshaft, and fuel injection CT = 283-cid 245-hp V-8 with 9.5:1 compression ratio, three-speed manual transmission and dual four-barrel carburetors CU = 283-cid 270-hp V-8 with 9.5:1 compression ratio, three-speed manual transmission, high-lift camshaft and dual four-barrel carburetors DG = 283-cid 230-hp V-8 with 9.5:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission and a four-barrel carburetor DJ = 283-cid 245-hp V-8 with 9.5:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission and dual four-barrel carburetors

Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number
The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
The Fisher Body Style Number 61-0867 identifies a Corvette.
The body number is the production serial number of the body.
The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
The vinyl upholstery was available in Red, Black, Blue, or Fawn.
The paint number indicates the color combination.
The seven 1961 Corvette "Magic Mirror" acrylic lacquer exterior colors were:
- 900 = Tuxedo Black
- 912 = Jewel Blue
- 920 = Fawn Beige
- 923 = Roman Red
- 936 = Ermine White
- 940 = Sateen Silver
- 948 = Honduras Maroon

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
0800	67	2-dr. Roadster - 2 passenger	$3934	2840 lb	10,939

ENGINE

Feature	Standard Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine
Type	V-8, Overhead valve
Block	Cast iron block
Displacement	283 cid
Bore & Stroke	3.87 x 3.00
Compression ratio	9.50:1				10.5:1
Brake horsepower	230 @ 4800 rpm	245	270	275	315
Main bearing	five
Valve lifters	hydraulic				solid
Carburetor	Carter four-barrel Type WCFB Model 3779178	Two four-barrel carbs	Two four-barrel carbs	Rochester fuel injection	Rochester fuel injection

TRANSMISSION

Standard Manual Transmission	Optional Manual Transmission	Automatic Transmission
Close-ratio three-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter	Close-ratio four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter	Two-speed Powerglide transmission (optional)

CHASSIS

Wheelbase	102 inches (2.591 m)
Overall length	177.2 inches (4.501 m)
Overall width	72.8 inches (1.849 m)
Overall height	51.6 inches (1.318 m)
Front tread	57 inches (1.448 m)
Rear tread	58.8 inches (1.499 m)
Frame	Welded steel box-section X-braced type
Ground Clearance	6 inches (15 cm)
Wheels	15" steel bolt-on wheels
Tires	6.70x15
Front suspension	Independent; unequal-length A-arms; unequal-length wishbones; coil springs; anti-roll bar; tubular shocks
Rear suspension	Live axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs, tubular shock absorbers
Steering	Saginaw worm-and-ball, 17:1 ratio, 3.7 turns to lock; 38.5 foot turning circle
Rear axle type	Hypoid semi-floating
Brakes	Four-wheel hydraulic, internal-expanding, 11-inch diameter drums, 157 square inches effective lining area (121 square inches with optional sintered metallic linings)
Standard 3-speed axle ratio	3.36:1

OPTIONS

	Additional cove color	$16.15
RPO 101	Heater	$102.25
RPO 102	Signal-seeking AM radio	$137.75
RPO 276	Five 15 x 5.5-inch wheels	N/C
RPO 290	6.70 x 15 White sidewall tires	$31.55
RPO 313	Powerglide automatic transmission	$199.10
RPO 419	Auxiliary hardtop	$236.75
RPO 426	Electric power windows	$59.20
RPO 441	Direct-Flow exhaust system	no charge
RPO 468	V-8 283-cid 270-hp dual four-barrel carburetor engine	$182.95
RPO 469	283-cid 245-hp dual four-barrel carb V-8 engine	$150.65
RPO 353	V-8 283-cid 275-hp fuel-injection engine	$484.20
RPO 354	V-8 283-cid 315-hp fuel-injection engine	$484.20
RPO 473	Power-operated folding top mechanism	$161.40
RPO 675	Positraction axle with optional ratio	$43.05
RPO 685	Four-speed manual transmission	$188.30
RPO 686	Metallic brakes	$37.70
RPO 687	Heavy-duty brakes and suspension	$333.60
RPO 1408	Five 6.70 x 15 Nylon tires	$15.75
RPO 1625A	24-gallon fuel tank	$161.40

HISTORICAL NOTES

Most 1961 Corvettes, 51.98 percent, came with a detachable hardtop and 64.1 percent had a four-speed manual transmission.
This was the last year wide whitewall tires were available.
A 1961 Corvette with a 283-cid 315-hp solid-lifter fuel-injected V-8 and the 3.70:1 rear axle could go from 0-to-30 mph in 2.6 seconds; from 0-to-60 mph in 6.0 seconds and from 0-to-100 mph in 14.2 seconds.
It did the quarter mile in 15.5 seconds at 106 mph and had a maximum speed of 140 mph.
This was the last year a contrasting color could be ordered from the factory for the side coves.

1961 CORVETTE