• 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)

I.D. 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

  Position	Character	Description
  1	1	1961
  2 & 3	08	body series: Corvette
  4 & 5	67	convertible
  6	S	Assembled in St. Louis, MO
  7 to 12	100001 to 110939	production sequence

• Engine serial number

  1 to 7	0001001	sequential production number
  8	F or T	Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
  9 to 10	Carburetion & 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

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

TRANSMISSION

• Standard Manual Transmission: Close-ratio three-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter
• Optional Manual Transmission: Close-ratio four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter
• Automatic Transmission: 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, anti-roll bar, tubular shock absorbers
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).

• Most 1961 Corveftes, 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.

		Click here for Corvette books	Books on other automobiles
		Dictionary of over 15,000 Automotive Terms	Cadillac History

Sign My Guestbook View My Guestbook

a@motorera.com

1954	1955	1956-57 overview	1956	1957	1958-62 overview	1958	1959	1960	1962	1963-67 overview	1963	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968