Cars

The 1961 Chevrolet Corvette C1 represents a pivotal moment in the history of the Corvette, the first American sports car mass-produced by Chevrolet. The Corvette C1, launched in 1953, was initially a bold attempt by General Motors to compete with European roadsters. It stood out from the beginning with its fiberglass body, a rare innovation at the time, but its early versions struggled to convince due to modest performance, notably because of the six-cylinder engine that originally equipped it.

From 1955, the arrival of the Small Block V8 engine radically changed the game. Thanks to the impetus of engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov, the Corvette became a true sports car, with performance improving each year. The 1961 version comes at the very end of this first generation (1953-1962) and embodies a synthesis between the classic style of the early Corvettes and the beginnings of the futuristic design of the next generation, the C2.

The 1961 model is particularly recognizable thanks to the adoption of a new rear section, which introduces the famous duck-tail silhouette with four round lights, a feature that would become iconic in subsequent generations. It’s also the last year where the Corvette retains its non-retractable headlights, visible at the front. The overall design of the car is more streamlined, the grille becomes thinner and more subtle, the chrome is less overwhelming, and the line gains in modernity. Inside, there are few notable changes from previous years, but the finish is slightly improved.

In terms of engine, the 1961 Corvette offers several variants of the 283 cubic inch V8 (about 4.6 liters), with power ranging from 230 to 315 horsepower, the latter being achieved with a Rochester mechanical injection. It could be equipped with a three or four-speed manual gearbox, or a Powerglide automatic transmission. Thanks to these evolutions, the 1961 Corvette offered very respectable performance, while gaining in reliability and driving comfort.

This model is highly prized by collectors today, as it combines the personality of the early Corvettes with the beginnings of the Sting Ray style. It occupies a special place in Corvette history, both as the culmination of the C1 and as a transition to a more modern era of American automotive design.

This example is equipped with a 4-speed manual gearbox and a hardtop. It is in very good condition, except for the soft top. French registration.