1961 Corvette Convertible, 56,000 mi, Turn Key Fresh Restoration, 4-speed manual

Description for Chevrolet Corvette 1961

This beautiful 1961 Corvette Roadster is being sold on behalf of the widow of the owner.This is a turn-key ready-to-go Corvette that has been freshly restored and updated to a very high standard. All of the "factory shortcomings" have been corrected making this a nearly stock-appearing but updated 1961 Vette.This is a 100% reliable and dependable car. I know of no reason you couldn't fuel this car up and drive to California with no worries.The owner of this car passed away recently at the age of 80. He kept this car in absolutely top mechanical and cosmetic condition- this was his baby he'd had for 26 years. The car was always stored in a heated garage covered and on carpet. He only drove it on dry nice days and always drove it respectfully and carefully.This car was purchased by the late owner in 1989 from Nevada. He was careful to purchase a clean rust-free and low mileage car that had been kept original. He enjoyed the car for many years but always found it lacking as a comfortable "driver". About 5 years ago he decided to begin making some updates and improvements to the car. The body was stripped down and fully refinished with a base coat/clear coat urethane paint job of extremely high quality. The 327 V8 was fully rebuilt and enlarged to a 355 cubic inchdisplacementusing all new high-quality and upgraded internals. The entire car was gone over top to bottom mechanically and made basically brand new. Power steering and power disc brakes were added. The entire car was cosmetically and mechanically rebuilt with cost as no object. He just wanted the best car he could build and one that was reliable and comfortable enough to drive anywhere.This car is totally smooth and compliant enough that you could drive it daily if you wanted. It doesn't run hot and it runs smoothly with plenty of performance on tap. There is enough horsepower and just enough exhaust note to enjoy but not so much as to make the car a handful.The body has never been off this car. All of the work and updates were done body-on keeping this a tight good-fitting and rattle-free chassis/body. All the work was done by professional shops and overseen by highlyknowledgeableclassic car builders. No corners were cut and this everything on this car was done to the highest standard. The engine and transmission are period-correct non numbers matching components.The following is a list of upgrades and work done to the car:Chassis-

• Steeroids power rack and pinion system
• New steering column hub directional cam and switch
• Early GM front disc brakes on new hubs and bearings
• Rebuilt rear brakes with new pistons hardware and drums
• Carbotec street compound high performance pads and shoes
• Dual-circuit master cylinder stainless brake lines and new brake hoses
• KYB gas shocks rebuilt front and rear sway bars with urethane bushings and urethane stabilizer links
• Frame was wiped down and painted chassis black
• New 17" 5-spoke polished aluminum wheels with new tires
• Halogen Warner headlights
• 3.55/1 Posi rear end

Engine:

• period-correct 327cid V8 bored .030 over and stroked to 355cid balanced and blueprinted. This is a professionally hand-built and dyno-tuned engine custom-built for this car and this owner. Every component used in this motor is top-of-the line. Power output is approx 400 horsepower and 400lb-ft torque
• 202 fueler heads with new valves guides pushrods springs roller rocker and hardened valve seats for unleaded gas
• New GM crankshaft and rods with new Wiseco pistons. New oil pump and double roller timing chain
• Comp cams mild hydraulic roller
• Edelbrock intake manifold with 650 Holley HP dual-feed carburetor
• Hookercompetitionheaders to 3" collectors to 2-1/2" custom exhaust with chrome tips
• Generator to one-wire alternator conversion
• MSD 6AL ignition with MSD electronic distributor with tach drive
• New Hayes clutch and steel flywheel
• New water pump and fuel pump
• New battery
• Polished intake valve covers and air cleaner
• Flushed aluminum radiator and surge tank

Transmission:

• Rebuilt period-correct 4-speed manual with new synchromesh gears bearings gaskets and seals
• New Henderson Driveline driveshaft with Spicer U-joints
• Factory rebuilt Hurst shifter
• Red Line synthetic transmission fluid

Electrical:

• New engine bay dash and interior wiring harnesses with new fuse block
• Rebuilt rear light sockets
• New AM/FM retro stereo with USB input and new dual-cone speaker

Interior:

• Thermal hush mats at floor andfoot wells
• Fully rebuilt and reupholstered seats with new seat foam springs and two-tone custom upholstery covers
• Re-worked door panels
• New carpet and floor mats
• New aluminum sill plates

The paint and body are absolutely straight and clean. The paint work is of extremely high quality with a deep mirror finish on laser-straight and perfect-fitting panels. The frame of the car is exceptionally clean. The underside of the car is absolutely pristine- the cliche expression "you could eat off the underside" applies here. I cannot imagine a cleaner or better-kept underside or frame on a 1961 vehicle. The doors have no sag and the hinges and door latches fit perfectly. The chrome and stainless trim is in superb condition with no pitting.The interior of this car is like new. The seats carpets door panels dashboard everything is exceptionally clean and fresh.Everywhere you look on this car you see new parts. Literally every component and part of this car has been replaced rebuilt or cleaned to like-new condition in the past few years.There is no doubt that this car is FAR cleaner straighter and in better condition than when it was produced new in 1961. The mild updates such as disc brakes and power steering make this a much safer and easier car to drive. The 400hp 327-block engine is twice as powerful as it was when new and much more reliable and durable.This car is being sold as-is with no warranty expressed or implied. To be extraordinarily picky there are a few tiny nicks chips etc in the paint as well as two or three tiny blisters in the paint on the hood no larger than the tip of a pencil eraser. This paint isn't quite perfect but I'd say it is a solid 98/100. The convertible top is complete and usable- if you run into rain it will keep you dry but it isn't new and has one tiny hole on the back right corner.This car is kept in my warehouse in Willoughby OH. Interested bidders are welcome to view the car at this location.For a shipping quote please call Angels Transport at 530-245-0481.I can be reached at 440-339-4341 with any questions.