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1961 Specs

More About the 1961 Corvette
1961 Chevrolet Corvette C1 in Roman Red

1961 Chevrolet Corvette C1 in Roman Red

Close1961 Chevrolet Corvette C1 in Roman Red

Body Specs

Wheelbase:    102.00 inches
Front Track:    57.00 inches
Rear Track:    59.00 inches
Length:    176.7 inches
Width
Including Bumpers / Moldings:
   72.8 inches
Width
Not Including Bumpers / Moldings:
   70.4 inches
Front Overhang:    33.0 inches
Rear Overhang:    42.2 inches
Height:    52.2 inches
Height (Hard Top):    52.1 inches
Hood Opening:    Front (reverse alligator)
Finish (paint type):    Lacquer
Turning Diameter:   38.5 feet (right); 39.0 feet (left) wall - wall
  36.5 feet (right); 37.0 feet (left) curb - curb
Steering gear ratio:   16:1
Steering Wheel Turns:   3.25
Tire Size:   6.70-15 4 Ply Rating:
Tire Type:    Rayon
Three Speed Transmission:   1st Gear 2.21:1
  2nd Gear 1.32:1
  3rd Gear 1.00:1
  Reverse Gear 2.51:1
Four Speed Transmission:   1st Gear 2.20:1
  2nd Gear 1.66:1
  3rd Gear 1.31:1
  4th Gear 1.00:1
  Reverse Gear 2.26:1
Automatic (Powerglide) Transmission:    Drive 1.82:1 and 1.00:1
  Low 1.82:1
  Reverse Gear 1.82:1
Axle Ratio:    3.36:1 (Three Speed Manual)
  3.70:1 (Four Speed Manual)
  Optional: 4.11:1, 4.56:1
  Automatic: 3.55:1
Transmission Synchromesh:    Three Speed: 2nd and 3rd Gears
  Four Speed: All Four Gears:


Weight

Shipping - Powerglide (Automatic) Transmission:    3,000 lb.
Curb - Powerglide (Automatic) Transmission
  Shipping + fuel (107 lb.), water (38 lb.):
   3,135 lb.
Loaded - Powerglide (Automatic) Transmission
(Two Passengers @ 150 lb. each):
   3,435 lb.
Shipping - Three Speed (standard) Transmission:    2,905 lb.
Curb - Three Speed (standard) Transmission
Shipping + fuel (100 lb.), water (32 lb.):
   3,035 lb.
Loaded - Three Speed (standard) Transmission
(Two Passengers @ 150 lb. each):
   3,335 lb.
Optional Hard Top:    55 lb.
Weight Differentials
Hardtop:    -2 pounds (Without Folding Top)
Hardtop:    +57 pounds (With Folding Top)
Radio:    +16 pounds
Power Top:    +35 pounds
Four Speed Transmission:    +12 pounds
Automatic (Powerglide) Transmission:    +100 pounds


Engine Specs

Type::    V8:
Valve Location::    In Head:
Bore / Stroke::    3.875" / 3.00":
Displacement::    283 Cubic Inches:
Compression Ratio::    9.5 : 1:
Crankshaft Material::    Forged Steel:
Camshaft Material::    Cast Alloy Iron:
Oil Pump Type::    Gear:
Normal Oil Pressure:    35 psi @ 2,000 RPM:
Oil Pressure Gauge:    Electric:
Crankcase Oil Capacity (less filter):    5 Quarts:
Recommended Oil Grade:   Above 32°: SAE 20W, SAE 20 or SAE 10W-30
  To 0°: SAE 10W or SAE 10W-30
  Below 0°: SAE 5W or SAE 5W-20
  Sustained high speed over 90°F - SAE 30 may be used:
Fuel Tank:   16.4 Gallons
Fuel Tank Code 1625A
(Hardtop Only):
  24.0 Gallons
  (Fiberglass)
Carburetor:   Carter 3756676 Single 4 barrel
Carburetor. Optional dual four barrel carburetors Code 469:   Carter 3744002 (front) / 3744004 (rear)
Carburetor, Optional dual four barrel carburetors Code 469
Special Camshaft:
  Carter 3741089 (front) / 3741090 (rear)
Fuel Filter:    Strainer
Fuel Pump:    Mechanical
Fuel Pressure:    5¼ - 6½ PSI
Cooling System Capacity:   16.5 Quarts (with heater)
  15.5 Quarts (without heater)
Thermostat Type:    Choke
Radiator Cap Relief Pressure:    6 ¼ - 7 ¾ PSI
Battery:    Delco 1980458 (12 volt)
  53 Amp hr. @ 120 hr.
Thermostat Opening:    167° - 172° F
Compression Pressure:    160 PSI (Engine Hot)

Horsepower
Standard Engine:    230 hp @ 4,800 RPM;
  Torque: 300 lb-ft @ 3,000 RPM
Code 469A
(Two Four Barrel Carburetors):
  245 hp @ 5,000 RPM;
  Torque: 300 ft-lb. @ 3,800 RPM
Code 469C
(Two Four Barrel Carburetors, Special Camshaft):
  270 hp @ 6,000 RPM;
  Torque: 285 lb-ft @ 4,200 RPM
Code 579A Fuel Injection:   275 hp @ 5,200 RPM;
  Torque: 305 lb-ft @ 4,400 RPM
Code 579B Fuel Injection
(Special Camshaft):
  315 hp @ 6,200 RPM;
  Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 4,700 RPM

Fuel Injection:
Manufacturer:   Rochester Products
Model:   7017320 (Code 579)
  7017310 (Code 579D, Special Camshaft)
Recommended Fuel:   Premium
Fuel Pump:   Mechanical
Fuel Pressure:   5 ¼ - 6 ½ PSI
Inlet Manifold:   Cast Aluminum
Air Cleaner Type:   Dry
Air Meter Location:   Engine Left Side
Plenum Chamber:   Integral With Inlet Manifold
Ram Pipe Length:   12 Inches
Fuel Induction:   Metered as Function of Air Flow
Air / Fuel Ratio Control:   Vacuum Sensitive Diaphragm Located on Air Flow Meter
Fuel Meter Pump Type:   Gear
Fuel Meter Pump Location:   In Fuel Meter Assembly
Fuel Meter Pump Drive:   Gear Driven by Flexible Shaft From Distributor
Fuel Meter Pump Pressure:   300 PSI
Injection Nozzles Quantity:    8
Injection Nozzles Material:   Brass
Injection Nozzles Location:   Mounted on Inlet Manifold Above Intake Ports
Injection Nozzles Orifice Size - Fuel:    .0118 inch
Injection Nozzles Insulation:    Bakelite
Automatic Choke Type:   Electric, Time Temperature Type
Automatic Choke Location:   On Air Meter Assembly
Automatic Choke Current Draw:    1 amp @ 70°
Automatic Choke Fast Idle Cam:    Yes

Ignition System:
Coil:    Delco-Remy 1115091 (FI Engines: 1115107)
Coil current rating:    4 amps (engine stopped)
  1.8 amps (engine running)
Breaker Gap:    .019"
Ignition Timing:   4° BTDC @ 600 RPM idle (Standard Engine)
  12° BTC (Dual Four Barrel Carburetor)
  8° BTC (Fuel Injection)
  18° BTC (Fuel Injection, Special Camshaft)
Ignition Timing Centrifugal Advance:   0 ° @ 600 RPM
  5 ° @ 1,000 RPM (Fuel Injection, Special Camshaft)
  14 ° @ 1,500 RPM
  5 ° @ 1,500 RPM (Fuel Injection, Special Camshaft)
  28 ° @ 3,700 RPM (Maximum)
  22 ° @ 6,000 RPM (Maximum, Fuel Injection, Special Camshaft)
Ignition Timing Vacuum Advance:   15° @ 15.5 inches Hg (Standard Engine)
  24° @ 13.5 inches Hg (Fuel Injection)
Spark Plug:   AC 44
  AC 44 FF (Fuel Injection)
Spark Plug Thread:    14 mm.
Spark Plug Torque:    25 lb.-ft.
Spark Plug Gap:    .033 - .038 inch
Firing Order:    1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

1961 Corvette Options

RPO: Description: Production:    Price
101 Heater 10,671 (97.55%) $102.25
102 AM Radio, Signal Seeking 9,316 (85.16%) $137.75
1408 Blackwall Tires, 6.70x15 nylon n/a $15.75
1625 24 Gallon Fuel Tank n/a $161.40
242 Positive Crankcase Ventilation n/a $5.40
276 Wheels, 15x5.5 (5) 337 (3.08%) n/a
290 Whitewall Tires, 6.70x15 9,780 (89.40%) $31.55
313 Powerglide Automatic Transmission 1,458 (13.33%) $199.10
353 283 cu. in. 275 hp fuel injected Engine 118 (1.08%) $484.20
354 283 cu. in. 315 hp fuel injected Engine 1,462 (13.37%) $484.20
419 Auxiliary Hardtop 5,680 (51.92%) $236.75
426 Power Windows 698 (6.38%) $59.20
440 Two-Tone Exterior Paint 3,351 (30.63%) $16.15
468 283ci, 270hp Engine (2x4 carburetors) 2,827 (25.84%) $182.95
469 283ci, 245hp Engine (2x4 carburetors) 1,175 (10.74%) $150.65
473 Power Operated Folding Top 442 (4.04%) $161.40
675 Positraction Rear Axle 6,915 (63.21%) $43.05
685 4-Speed Manual Transmission 7,013 (64.11%) $188.30
686 Metallic Brakes 1,402 (12.82%) $37.70
687 Heavy Duty Brakes and Suspension 233 (2.13%) $333.60

Total Production: 10,939
Convertible: 10,939 (100.00%)

Notes: Base Corvette with 283 cu. in. 230 hp engine and three speed manual transmission: $3,934.00.

Colors

Code Exterior Quantity Interior Soft Top Wheels
Tuxedo Black 1,340 (12.25%) Blue / Black / Fawn / Red Black / White Black
Ermine White 3,178 (29.05%) Blue / Black / Fawn / Red Black / White White
Roman Red 1,794 (16.40%) Black / Red Black / White Red
Sateen Silver 747 (6.83%) Blue / Black / Red Black / White Silver
Jewel Blue 855 (7.82%) Blue / Black Black / White Blue
Fawn Beige 1,363 (12.46%) Black / Fawn / Red Black / White Beige
Honduras Maroon 1,645 (15.04%) Black / Fawn Black / White Maroon

Notes: 1961 was the only year Jewel Blue interiors were available.

1961 Corvette