Corvette: Year By Year

    

About The Corvette

    

Corvette Specs

    

1961 Corvette

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Brochure Illustration

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Brochure Illustration

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1961 Chevrolet Corvette Rear View

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Rear View

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Corvette styling was substantially upgraded in 1961. Although enthusiasts at the time did not know it, they were being given a sneak peak of things to come. The rear would carry over to 1963, which would be a pivotal year in Corvette history. The "ducktail" design (above) of the 1961 (and '62) would be known as "transitional" years. The exhaust now exited below the body and not via an opening in the bumper as in previous years. The four round tail lights was the start of a Corvette tradition that would continue for more than 50 years.

1961 Corvette in Roman Red

1961 Corvette in Roman Red

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1961 Chevrolet Corvette

1961 Chevrolet Corvette

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1961 Chevrolet Corvette Brochure Illustration

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Brochure Illustration

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Above: Body colored headlight bezels began to replace the chrome of 1960. Below: The Corvette style was softened somewhat by the removal of the "teeth" in the grill.


Other changes for 1961: Sun visors, an aluminum radiator, parking brake warning lamp, interior lights and the windshield washer were standard equipment. The four speed transmission featured an aluminum case.

1961 Corvette Trunk Emblem

1961 Corvette Trunk Emblem

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1961 Corvette Heater Radio

1961 Corvette Heater Radio

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1961 Corvette in Roman Red

1961 Corvette in Roman Red

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1961 Corvette in Roman Red

1961 Corvette in Roman Red

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Laura Shepard Churchkey, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard

Laura Shepard Churchkey, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard

CloseLaura Shepard Churchkey, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard

Laura Shepard Churchkey, daughter of Alan Shepard, the first American to travel into outer space, leads the parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of Shepard's historic flight Saturday, May 7, 2011 in Cocoa Beach, Florida in a 1961 Corvette. Alan Shepard brought along his 1957 Corvette when he reported for Space Program training in April 1959. He would own at least 10 Corvettes in his lifetime. His enthusiasm for sports cars was shared by several of the other young men who would train with him to become America’s first astronauts.


Typical 1961 Corvette print ads. Today they would be referred to as lifestyle ads; i.e. Corvette = the good life.

1961 Corvette pleasure and brag

1961 Corvette pleasure and brag

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1961 Corvette print ad

1961 Corvette print ad

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1961 Corvette ad 1927 with Bugatti

1961 Corvette ad 1927 with Bugatti

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GM had enough confidence in the road manners of the Corvette that they compared their product to a 1927 Bugatti.

1961 Corvette magazine print ad

1961 Corvette magazine print ad

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1961 Corvette magazine print ad

1961 Corvette magazine print ad

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1961 Corvette magazine print ad

1961 Corvette magazine print ad

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1961 Corvette Engine Choices

By 1961, Corvette drivetrain choices had become ample with a configuration for every budget and performance intention. 1961 would also be the last year for the 283 cubic inch engine first seen in 1958.

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Illustration courtesy Dominic Lucas

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Illustration courtesy Dominic Lucas

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1961 Chevrolet Corvette Front View

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Front View

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1961 Chevrolet Corvette Rear View

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Rear View

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1961 Chevrolet Corvette Trunk Emblem

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Trunk Emblem

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1961 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible and Hard Tops

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible and Hard Tops

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1961 Chevrolet Corvette Owners Manual

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Owners Manual

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1962 Corvette

1960 Photos


1961 Corvette Options