C1 - 1953-1962
C2 - 1963-1967
C3 - 1968-19821961 Corvette
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Bill Mitchell with the 1960 Stingray and 1961 Mako Shark concept.
The 1961 saw more styling refinements such as the new "duck tail" rear end treatment and the use of two, round, tail lamps that in one form or another would be with the Corvette for years to come. The "shark teeth" in the grille were gone and replaced with a more subtle horizontal bar arrangement. The headlamp bezels were now body color instead of chrome. The 1961 model year would be the last to offer a contracting body side color and the last to offer wide whitewall tires and the final year of the 283-cid engine. The manual 4-speed transmission sported an aluminum case.
1961 total Corvettes built - 10,939
A 283-cid, 230-hp engine, manual 3-speed transmission, vinyl interior trim, and a soft top were included in the base price of $3,872.00.
| Corvettes Engines | 10,361 | Percentage |
| RPO 353 - 275-hp engine | 118 | 01.08 |
| RPO 354 - 315-hp engine | 1,462 | 13.37 |
| RPO 468 - 270-hp engine | 2,827 | 25.84 |
| RPO 469 - 245-hp engine | 1,175 | 10.74 |
| base 230-hp engine | 6,357 | 48.97 |
| Serial Numbers | |
| 10867S100001 - 10867S110939 |
Engine Identification
| Position | Character(s) | Description |
| 1 | V or T | Flint, MI. or Tonawanda, N.Y. engine assembly plant |
| 2 to 5 | 1025 | Engine assembly date (month/day) |
| 6 and 7 | Size/HP/Fuel Delivery System/Transmission | CT - 283-cid 245-hp, manual transmission, 2 x 4-bbl carburetor DJ - 283-cid 245-hp, automatic transmission, 2 x 4-bbl carburetor CS - 283-cid 315-hp, manual transmission, F.I. CU - 283-cid 270-hp, manual transmission, 2 x 4-bbl carburetor |
| F.I. | Fuel injection |
Engine Specifications - 283 engines
| Base 283 | RPO 469 245hp 2x4 | RPO 468 270hp 2x4 | RPO 353 275hp F.I. | RPO 354 315hp F.I. | |
| Bore (in inches) | 3.875 | 3.875 | 3.875 | 3.875 | 3.875 |
| Stroke (in inches) | 3.000 | 3.000 | 3.000 | 3.000 | 3.000 |
| Cubic Inches | 283 | 283 | 283 | 283 | 283 |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 | 9.5:1 | 9.5:1 | 11.0:1 | 11.0:1 |
| Horsepower @ RPM | 230 @ 4800 | 245 @ 5000 | 270 @ 6000 | 275 @ 5200 | 315 @ 6200 |
| Torque lb-ft @ RPM | 300 @ 3000 | 300 @ 3800 | 285 @ 4500 | 305 @ 4400 | 295 @ 5100 |
| Fuel | 4-bbl 3059S #3779178 |
2 x 4-bbl 2626S #3744002 front 2627S #3744004 rear 3181S #3785554 front (second design) |
2 x 4-bbl 2613S #3741089 front 2614S #3741090 rear 3182S #3785552 front (second design) |
F.I 7017310 |
F.I. 7017320 |
The 1961 model year saw the Flint engine plant change the month/day code change to a 4-digit code regardless of month.
| E N G I N E | TRANSMISSION | REAR AXLE | |||||
| H.P. | Induction | Compression | Cam/Lifters | Dist/Points/Advance | Ratio | Positraction ** | |
| 230 | 4-bbl | 9.5:1 | Regular, Hydraulic | Single/Vacuum & Centrifugal |
3-Speed Synchro-Mesh 4-Speed Synchro-Mesh * Powerglide * |
3.36:1 3.70:1 3.55:1 |
Yes Yes No |
| 245 * | 2x4-bbl | 9.5:1 | Regular, Hydraulic | Dual/Full Contrifugal | 3-Speed Synchro-Mesh 4-Speed Synchro-Mesh * Powerglide * |
3.36:1 3.70:1 3.55:1 |
Yes Yes No |
| 270 * | 2x4-bbl | 9.5:1 | Special, Mechanical | Dual/Full Contrifugal | 3-Speed Synchro-Mesh 4-Speed Synchro-Mesh * |
3.36:1 3.70:1 |
Yes Yes |
| 275 * | Ramjet F.I. | 11.0:1 | Regular, Hydraulic | Single/Vacuum & Centrifugal |
3-Speed Synchro-Mesh 4-Speed Synchro-Mesh * |
3.36:1 3.70:1 |
Yes Yes |
| 315 * | Ramjet F.I. | 11.0:1 | Special, Mechanical | Dual/Full Contrifugal | 3-Speed Synchro-Mesh 4-Speed Synchro-Mesh * |
3.36:1 3.70:1 |
Yes Yes |
* Optional
** Choice of Positraction with ratios: 3-Speed 3.36:1, 4.11:1,
4.56:1 - 4-Speed 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1
3-Speed ratios: 2.47:1 first, 1/53:1 second, 1:1, third
4-Speed ratios: 2,2:1 first, 1.66:1 second, 1.31:1 third, 1:1 fourth
Regular Production Options
| RPO | Description | Cost | Qty | Percentage |
| 867 | Base Corvette Convertible | $3,934.00 | 10,939 | 100.0 |
| 101 | Heater | $102.25 | 10,671 | 97.6 |
| 102 | AM Radio, Signal Seeking | $137.75 | 9,316 | 85.2 |
| 242 | Positive Crankcase Ventilation | $5.40 | *** | *** |
| 276 | 15 x 5.5 Wheels | $0.00 | 337 | 3.1 |
| 290 | 6.70 x 15 Whitewall Tires * | $31.55 | 9,780 | 89.4 |
| 303 | 3-speed Manual Transmission | $000.00 | 2,468 | 22.6 |
| 313 | Powerglide Automatic Transmission | $199.10 | 1,458 | 13.3 |
| 353 | 275-hp (fuel injection) | $484.20 | 118 | 1.1 |
| 354 | 315-hp (fuel injection) | $484.20 | 1,462 | 13.4 |
| 419 | Auxiliary Hardtop | $236.75 | 5,680 | 51.9 |
| 426 | Power Windows | $59.20 | 698 | 6.4 |
| 440 | Two-Tone Paint | $16.15 | 3,368 | 30.8 |
| 468 | 270-hp, 2 x 4-bbl | $182.95 | 2,827 | 25.8 |
| 469 | 245-hp, 2 x 4-bbl | $150.65 | 1,175 | 10.7 |
| 473 | Power Operated Folding Top | $161.40 | 442 | 4.0 |
| 675 | Positraction Rear Axle | $43.05 | 6,915 | 63.2 |
| 685 | 4-speed Manual Transmission | $188.30 | 7,013 | 64.1 |
| 686 | Metallic Brakes | $37.70 | 1,402 | 12.8 |
| 687 | Heavy Duty Brakes and Steering | $333.60 | 233 | 2.1 |
| 1408 | 670 x 15 Nylon Blackwall Tires * | $15.75 | *** | *** |
| 1625A | 24 Gallon Fuel Tank | $161.40 | *** | *** |
* Images may be representation of the option
> RPO 687 included special front/rear shocks, air scoops/deflectors for front
brakes and air scoops for rear brakes, finned brake drums with cooling
fans. RPO 354 or RPO 468, and RPO 675 were required.
> RPO 242 required for California
> LPO 1625A required hardtop without soft top because the tank occupied part
of the folding top storage area.
> The 5,680 RPO 419 auxiliary hardtop included 2,285 in lieu of soft tops at
no charge.
> RPO 675 required manual transmission.
> Tachometer redline→
1961 Exterior/Interior Colors
| RPO | Color | Wheel Color | Interior Color | Total | |
| Production | Percentage | ||||
| 501 | Fawn Beige | Beige | Black - Fawn - Red | 1,363 | 12.5 |
| 502 | Jewel Blue | Blue | Blue - Black | 855 | 7.8 |
| 503 | Tuxedo Black | Black | Blue - Black - Fawn - Red | 1,340 | 12.2 |
| 506 | Roman Red | Red | Black - Red | 1,794 | 16.4 |
| 509 | Sateen Silver | Silver | Blue - Black - Red | 747 | 6.8 |
| 510 | Ermine White | White | Blue - Black - Fawn - Red | 3,178 | 29.0 |
| 523 | Honduras Maroon | Maroon | Black - Fawn | 1,645 | 15.0 |
> Soft top could be ordered in black or white with any color.
> Suggested interiors shown. Other combinations were possible.
> Interiors and exteriors were not coded to individual cars.
> Number of interior colors sold in 1961 are: 3,487 black, 4,459 red, 1,662 fawn,
and 1,331 blue.
> The 3,368 quantity for code 440 two-tone was split;
954
Roman Red/white
647
Honduras Maroon/white
385
Ermine White/silver
358
Fawn Beige/white
429
Tuxedo Black/silver
419
Jewel Blue/white
159
Sateen Silver/white
17 were a non-standard color, combination, or primer
1961 OEM Supplier Paint Colors
| Color | Valspar Code | PPG Code | DuPont Code | RM Code | SW Code | WA Code |
| 501 - Fawn Beige | B2770 | 22005 | 4143 | n/a | 2103 | n/a |
| 502 -Jewel Blue | L3612 | 12398 | 4143 | n/a | 2096 | 2811 |
| 503 - Tuxedo Black | K090 | 9300 | 99 | 946 | n/a | n/a |
| 506 - Roman Red | R492 | 70961 | 2931 | 1138 | 1183 | 2622 |
| 509 - Sateen Silver | MW6001 | 31928 | 4023 | 1203 | 1912 | 2659 |
| 510 - Ermine White | W612 | 8259 | 4024 | 1199 | 1911 | 2661 |
| 523 - Honduras Maroon | R2252 | 50538 | 4034 | 1221 | 1917 | 2670 |
Mechanical Specifications
| Wheelbase | 102.0 inches |
| Track Front/Rear (inches) | 57.0 / 59.0 |
| Overall Length | 176.7 |
| Width | 70.4 inches |
| Height | 52.2 inches (folding top) 52.1 inches (hard top) |
| Curb Weight | 3,035 pounds - 3-speed manual transmission 3,047 pounds - 4-speed manual transmission 3,135 pounds - Powerglide transmission |
| Coolant Capacity | 16.5 quarts with heater/15.5 quarts without |
| Fuel Capacity | 16.4 gallons |
| Oil Capacity | 5.0 quarts |
GM Heritage PDF file of specifications/options/etc.
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