Swingin’ Sixties Corvette: Goin’ Back to the Future
The 1961 Corvette set the styling tone for future models, and they don’t get any finer than this Roman Red example.
It seems unfathomable today, but there was a time when Chevrolet didn’t know if it would continue to produce the Corvette. Through its first generation, the legendary sports car was a bit of an experiment. It went from V6 powered cruiser to fuel injected, V8 powered bruiser in just a couple of model years. But when the 1961 Corvette debuted, it landed a few styling changes that would stick on future models.
The ’61 Corvette is unique for a number of reasons. The most interesting part of the car lies out back, where the use of four tail lamps originated. That look, of course, persists today. Much of the rear end design, interestingly enough, carried over to the all-new 1963 Corvette as well. Despite the fact that the rest of the C2 represented such a huge styling departure from the C1 Corvette.
Those factors make the 1961-1962 Corvettes rather unique among their brethren. And this beautifully restored Roman Red 1961 Corvette stands out as one of the nicest examples we’ve seen in quite some time. We spotted the spotless classic ‘Vette in the Hemmings classifieds, where it was recently offered with a $69,500 asking price.
This one does have a NOM (non-original motor) 327, but it’s a beauty nonetheless. And the fact that the current owner has a folder full of 30-plus years of documentation doesn’t hurt, either. This important footnote in Corvette history has obviously been lovingly cared for over the years, and appears to have many more ahead of it.
