The 1961 Chevrolet Corvette featured a major redesign…but you might not know it until one passed you by since the big updates were out back. GM replaced the curvaceous rear end that had been in place since 1953 with the “tail lift” or “duck tail” rear end that would largely carry over to the C2 Corvette in 1963. The exhaust outlets were also moved underneath the rear end from the previously integrated exit pipes. In addition to effectively laying the foundation for the rear end of the upcoming C2 Stingray, the tail of the new 1961 car set the tradition of four taillights in the Corvette.
Up front, the changes were far more subtle, with a billet-look grille replacing the “teeth” grille from the previous years. The twin headlight banks that flanked the new badging now featured body-colored frames, replacing the chrome headlight surrounds from past years.
Engine options largely carried over from 1960 with fuel injected models. The base engine continued to put out 230 hp, but output for the “fuelies” increased to 275 hp and 315 hp for the top end model, which incorporated high-lift cams.
Aluminum radiators now came as standard equipment and featured a crossflow design. Some early 1961 Corvettes still had the copper radiator, so check under the hood before you buy. The 4-speed manual now had an aluminum case, and the transmission tunnel for all 1961Chevy Corvettes was narrowed by 20 percent to provide more interior space.
General Motors built 10,939 Chevrolet Corvettes for the 1961 model year, making it the second most common model year of the C1.
All vehicles are subject to a reconditioning fee of up to $2,000 for all qualifying vehicles. Sales tax, in your County, title, and tags not included in vehicle prices shown and must be paid by the purchaser. While great effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, errors do occur. Please confirm availability of vehicle. So please verify information with a custom service representative. This is easily done calling us or visiting us at the dealership.
716-886-1626
Please visit safercar.org to verify if this car has any open recalls.
Try asking: How's the ride comfort? What's the fuel efficiency? What's the safety rating? Is it good for Winter driving?
Disclaimer: Responses provided by Ask the Vehicle Expert are created by AI and offer general content for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice or official representation of vehicle features, pricing, or availability. Our dealership did not create and is not responsible for the information. The information provided may be incomplete or inaccurate and should be checked. For the most up-to-date and accurate information, please contact our dealership directly. Any offers, pricing, or availability mentioned by the AI-generated response are not binding and are subject to verification by authorized dealership personnel.
