Vehicle

A freshened rear design was the most pronounced external change for the 1961 Corvette, a kind of “ducktail” design that had been lifted virtually intact from Mitchell’s Stingray racer and also used on his XP-700 show car. Besides improved aesthetics, the new posterior brought a practical bonus: luggage space (such as it was) increased by around 20 percent. The new tail also sported a pair of small round tail lamps on each side of the central license-plate recess, plus a modest longitudinal trunk lid crease line running through the traditional, big, round Corvette medallion. Simple chrome bumperettes bracketed the license plate, which itself gained a small “arch” bumper. And for the first time, the dual exhausts exited below the body rather than through it or the bumper guards.

Headlight bezels were now painted body color, and the trademark vertical teeth were jettisoned in favor of a fine, horizontal-mesh insert finished in argent silver. The round medallion gave way to separate block letters spelling out the car’s name, topped by a larger version of the Corvette’s crossed-flags insignia. The 1961 would be the last Corvette available with bodyside coves in a contrasting hue, a mere $16.15 option that most buyers ordered. Even the fiberglass exterior’s build quality was improved, as the car’s fit-and-finish for 1961 was the best yet.

Carrying a base price of $3,934, standard features now included windshield washers, sunv isors, a thermostatically controlled radiator fan, and a parking-brake warning light. A heater was still optional for 1961, however, priced at $102.25. While air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes still weren’t offered, the “Wonder Bar” signal-seeking AM radio remained available, as did the Positraction limited-slip differential, “wide” whitewall tires, electric windows, and the power-operated top. Nearly three-quarters of all Corvette customers that year gladly paid $188.30 for the four-speed manual transmission, which was now clad in aluminum, trimming 15 pounds from the car’s heft.

Within the two-seat cockpit, the only change for 1961 was a narrower transmission tunnel that afforded a bit more interior room. Four interior color schemes were available: black, red, fawn, and blue.

Read more about Corvettes at: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1961-corvette.htm