1961 CHEVROLET CORVETTE "NO RESERVE"

1961 CORVETTE AT NO RESERVE

My Dream Car Restoration Story
It took me 7 years to find a 61 Corvette I could actually afford. Searched high and low. I read all the classifieds I could get my hands on and perused Corvette Trader religiously. My intention was to find a nice car I could take to local cruise-ins and not have to put a LOT of money in. What a pipe dream.
I searched and searched and finally after seeing numerous early model Corvettes being advertised in Richmond, KY & all with the same contact information I decided to contact the man. Come to find out he had purchased a collection of 300 Corvettes and was selling them off at reasonable prices, depending on your definition of reasonable. By the time I contacted him he had three 61’s left and all listed for the same price. I decided to go take a look at the cars.
All were in need, in varying degrees, of TLC. The first two I looked at were in terrible condition so I moved on to the third car which was Maroon, had a 327 out of a 1962 Corvette, and a 4sp trans. An older gentleman had started working on it, but became terminally ill and had to get rid of the car. This car was rough, the interior was a mess, greasy parts had been stored inside the car and there was dirt and grease all over the inside. I bought this one because of 327, 4-speed and it started the first hit of the key. It was drivable, but just barely. There were only 2 lug nuts on each wheel, mismatched tires, one with a bulge the size of a volleyball. I cleaned it up, which took forever, painted the hardtop & coves white with a spray can, put on new tires and rims and drove it that way for some time.

For the next several years I saved up money and bought parts as I could. My intent was to fix it up enough to have a nice driver with a decent paint job. Unfortunately, as it turned out the chassis was in much worse condition than first believed and a full restoration became necessary. So here we go on a 7-year spending spree to build my dream car.

The following is a listing of as much of the craftsman, parts and time that went into the complete frame off restoration and modification of my 1961 Corvette.
The 327 was balanced, channel bored and completely rebuilt at Freeman Performance in Montgomery, AL along with Lee Custom Auto in Trussville, AL. A Comp XTREME ENERGY Cam item # CS XE274H-10 H Hydraulic Flat Tappet and a set of Comp Performance Lifters were installed.
Also installed an Edelbrock Performer Vortec Intake Manifold with PermaStar Finish and an Edelbrock Performer 600 cfm Carburetor to flow as much air and fuel as possible. Later, in order to make sure that when I hit the key in any weather she would start, an FiTech Go EFI 600 HP Self Tuning Fuel Injection System - FIF 30002 from Summit Racing was installed along with Electric Fan and Aluminum Radiator. A Powermaster PowerGEN Alternator MPN: 82051 andMSD Electronic ignition finished off the spark and electrical part of the equation.
Next, we opted for a650HP/650FT-LB Custom built Tremec TKO Close Ratio 5-Speed containing a 4616 Chromology Gear set – Ratios: 2.87, 1.89,1.0, & .82 and a 2 ½” Diameter Precision Balanced Chromoly Driveshaft. A new clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel were installed. All of these top of the line transmission parts were purchased as a packagefrom KEISLER ENGINEERING INC. in Knoxville, TN

All that power needed a ridged top of the line chassis to sit on so a New Progressive Automotive Rolling Chassis with tri-4 bar, Ford 9” Rear end, 4-wheel Disc Brakes, Coil Overs and Rack & Pinion steering to control all that power was purchased and ready for the exhaust system. A 2” mandrel bent duel exhaust system with Magnaflow Mufflers and chrome tips made the package complete.
A set of BF Goodrich – Front 225/60/R15; Rear 245/60/R15 mounted on a stunning set of American Racing Torq Thrust II Polished 5 Spoke Wheels (Custom Sized) make an old school statement.

Now we can move on to the interior, paint and the small things that complete this beautiful 1961 Corvette. The exterior trim/brite work was replaced with new when needed or re-chromed by Brite Metals Inc. Franklin, KY. All interior knobs, gauges, switches, windshield and door handles have been replaced with new items. The Custom Interior done by Jeff Prosser of Millbrook Al has Custom fit Black Leather seats made from full cowhides with new springs & foam and is custom fit for the current owner. The interior and trunk has custom carpet installed. All interior and trunk panels are custom and match the custom interior beautifully. The convertible top frame was missing several bows and other parts so it was sent to California for restoration and reinstalled professionally when the interior was done.It includes white Al Knoch Rag on a Restored Convertible Frame. The hardtop was restored with new rubber, glass and center stainless bracket on the back window at Shad’s Restorations, Shrewsbury, MA.

The icing on this complete restoration is the incredible paint job and body work. Additionally, the paint has just had the ceramic coating buffed and rejuvenated. I have lots and lots of pics of the process that shows just how much time and effort went into laying down the Dupont Hot Hues Cherry Twilight & Snow White paint. I can honestly say it is near flawless.

The 61 has just received additional TLC. It now sports a new Windshield & Assembly, all new gauges in a flawlessly repainted cluster, a new clock console plate & new quartz electric clock, dash pad, padded carpet and seatbelts along with additional Dynamat Extreme.

All in all, the restoration of my 61 Vette has been a long and expensive journey. Now that I have completed it, have kept it in near perfect condition, and have had the opportunity to drive and enjoy it, I can say that it was worth it, but I would not attempt again. I have taken the Vette to many local car shows and it almost always wins best in class and always gets plenty of attention. I look forward to getting to drive the car anytime I can. It drives and runs great with no issues what so ever. I am confident that the next owner will love and enjoy this beautiful 1961 Corvette as much or more than I have.

I am sure that I have forgotten things and will be very happy & prompt in answering any and all questions or requests for more pics, of which I have over 300+ of the complete restoration.

I am selling the stunning 61 Corvette at NO RESERVE and have described the condition and restoration to the best of my ability. The vehicle is sold with no warranties written or implied. However, if I deliver or you pick up the Vette and feel that I have deceived or lied to you in any way I will return your deposit minus any delivery fees I incur and we can part ways friends. I can deliver the Vette for $1.50 per loaded mile on an open trailer or $2.00 per loaded mile in an enclosed.

I do have a bidding rule that needs to be followed. If you have an eBay score/rating below 10 items bought or sold please contact me before bidding. I will cancel all bidders that do not follow this rule. Thank You for your time to look at my Dream Car and happy bidding.