1961 Corvette Facts, Figures, and Specifications
1961 Corvette – Some Significant Changes Made
For 1961 on the Corvette, there were key styling changes. The new “duck tail” rear end was taken from the 1959 Sting Ray racer. All the “teeth” were removed from the grille, cleaning up the front. The new rear fascia restyle and the changed front fascia quickly set the new 1961 Corvette apart from its predecessor. And 315 HP from the fuel injected 283 CID V-8 didn’t hurt either.
1961 Corvette Resources
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1961 Corvette Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes
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1961 Corvette:
| 501 Fawn Beige | |
| 502 Jewel Blue | |
| 503 Tuxedo Black | |
| 506 Roman Red | |
| 509 Sateen Silver | |
| 510 Ermine White | |
| 523 Honduras Maroon |
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1961 Corvette Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1961 Corvette Facts
The front and rear fascias were changed – with the rear being most dramatic. The rear emulated a look introduced with the 1959 Stingray racer. At the front, the “teeth” were removed. This was the last year of availability of contrasting paint colors in cove area, and the last two-tone Corvette of any type until 1978.
The 250 HP Fuel Injection Engine was dropped. Engine horsepower increased on the two top engines to the levels of the aluminum head 1960 V-8s – 275 and 315 HP by increasing the compression ratio on the steel heads to 11.0:1
In 1961, 51.9 percent of Corvettes came with a detachable hardtop and 64.1 percent had a four-speed manual transmission. This was the last year wide whitewall tires were available, and few cars were so equipped.
1961 Corvette Factoids
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Up front, a refined, stainless mesh thin vertical and horizontal bar grille removed the “teeth” and the new rear fit much better with the front fascia that had been redesigned in 1958, especially with the new grille. The exhaust now exited under the car’s rear, rather than through bumper ports. See the 1961 Corvette brochure HERE.
1961 Corvette Facts – Models Offered
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Up front, a refined, stainless mesh thin vertical and horizontal bar grille removed the “teeth” that had been a hallmark of the Corvette since its intro The new rear look and the changed front fascia quickly set the new 1961 Corvette apart from its predecessor. The new rear fit much better with the front fascia that had been redesigned in 1958, especially with the new grille. The exhaust now exited under the car’s rear, rather than through bumper ports.
Standard equipment included: tachometer; seat belts; sun visors; dual exhaust; carpeting; electric clock and an outside rear view mirror. Seven exterior colors were available: Tuxedo Black; Ermine White; Roman Red; Honduras Maroon; Fawn Beige; Jewel Blue and Sateen Silver.
1961 Corvette Facts – Engines
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- 283 CID V-8 230 HP
- 283 CID 245 HP V-8
- 283 CID V8 270 HP
- 283 CID F.I. V8 275 HP
- 283 CID F.I. V8 315 HP
- Engine I.D. Suffixes
Base V-8. (Code “CQ” & “DG”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 283 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.50:1.
Horsepower: 230 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 300 @ 3000 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 250 degrees, Exhaust: 250 degrees, Lift: 0.3987″. Overlap 28 degrees.
Carburetor: 4-barrel Carter WCFB 3059S PN 3779178.
Two 4-Barrel V-8. (Code “CT” & “DJ”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 283 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.50:1.
Horsepower: 245 @ 5000 RPM.
Torque: 300 @ 3800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 250 degrees, Exhaust: 250 degrees, Lift: 0.3987″. Overlap 28 degrees.
Carburetors: Two 4-barrel Front: (Early) Carter WCFB 2626S PN 3744002, (Late) Front: Carter WCFB 3181S PN 3785554. Rear: (Early) Carter WCFB 2627S PN 3744004, (Late) Carter WCFB 3182S PN 3785552.
Two 4-Barrel “Competition” V-8. (Code “CU”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 283 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.5:1.
Horsepower: 270 @ 6000 RPM.
Torque: 285 @ 4200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287 degrees, Exhaust: 287 degrees, Lift: 0.3997″. Overlap 66 degrees.
Carburetors: Two 4-barrel Front: Carter WCFB 2613S PN 3741089. Rear: Carter WCFB 2613S PN 3741090.
Base Fuel Injection V-8. (Code “CR”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 283 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches.
Compression ratio: 11.0:1.
Horsepower: 275 @ 5200 RPM.
Torque: 305 @ 4400 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 250 degrees, Exhaust: 250 degrees, Lift: 0.3987″. Overlap 28 degrees.
Fuel Injection Unit: Rochester Model 7017310.
Fuel Injection “Competition” V-8. (Code “CS”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 283 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches.
Compression ratio: 11.00:1
Horsepower: 315 @ 6200 RPM.
Torque: 295 @ 5100 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 287 degrees, Exhaust: 287 degrees, Lift: 0.3997″. Overlap 66 degrees.
Fuel Injection Unit: Rochester Model 7017320.
Engine ID Suffixes were as follows: ‘
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- “CQ” – manual transmission with 4-barrel carburetor.
- “CR” – synchromesh with fuel injection.
- “CS” – Synchromesh with high-lift camshaft and fuel injection.
- “CT” – synchromesh with dual 4-barrel carburetors.
- “CU” – synchromesh with high-lift camshaft and dual 4-barrel carburetors.
- “DG” – Powerglide transmission with 4-barrel carburetor.
- “DJ” – Powerglide and dual four-barrel carburetors.
1961 Corvette Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: 102.00 inches.
- Overall length: 176.70 inches.
- Overall width: 70.40 inches.
- Overall height: 52.2 inches, with hardtop 52.10 inches.
- Front tread: 57.00 inches.
- Rear tread: 59.00 inches.
- Tires: 6.70 x 15 – tubeless.
1961 Corvette Facts – Powertrains
- Transmission
- Three-Speed Manual Transmission – First: 2.47:1, Second: 1.53:1, Third 1:1. Reverse: 2.80:1.
- Four-Speed Manual Transmission – First: 2.20:1, Second: 1.66:1, Third 1.31:1, Fourth: 1:1. Reverse: 2.26:1.
- Two-Speed Powerglide Transmission – Low: 3.82:1-1.82:1, Direct 1.82:1- 1:1. Reverse: 1.82:1.
- Rear Axle
- Manual Transmission. Three Speed: 3.36 (11-37) Four-speed: 3.70:1 (10-37).
- Powerglide Transmission: 3.55:1 (9-32).
1961 Corvette Facts – Powertrain Options
Engines:
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- V-8 283 cubic inch 245 horsepower dual four-barrel carburetor engine ($150.65).
- V-8 283 cubic inch 270 horsepower dual four-barrel carburetor engine with “Competition” camshaft ($182.95).
- V-8 283 cubic inch 275 horsepower fuel-injection engine ($484.00).
- V-8 283 cubic inch 315 horsepower fuel-injection engine with “Competition” camshaft ($484.00).
Transmissions:
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- Three-Speed Manual Transmission – Standard.
- Four-Speed Manual Transmission – Optional.
- Two-Speed Powerglide Transmission – Optional.
1961 Corvette Facts – Significant Options
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- Three-speed manual floor shift transmission was standard.
- Automatic transmission ($199.00).
- Direct flow exhaust system (no charge).
- Metallic brakes ($37.70).
- Positive traction rear axle ($43.05). Not available with Powerglide transmission.
- RPO 687 Heavy-duty brakes & suspension ($333.60). Please see AMA Specifications Sheet page for complete information on this option.
- Special 15 x 5.5 inch wheels (no cost).
- Available rear axle gear ratios 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1.
1961 Corvette Downloads and Images
1961 Corvette Facts – Related Document Downloads
Files directly related to the 1961 Chevrolet Corvette will appear below. Click to Download:
1961 Corvette Foldout Brochure
1961 Corvette 8.25 x 11.0 Print Advertisements
1961 Corvette AMA Specifications Sheets
1961 Corvette “Fuelie” Road Test – Hot Rod Magazine
1961 Corvette “Fuelie” Road Test – Hot Rod Magazine
1961 Corvette “Fuelie” Road Test – Sports Cars Illustrated Magazine
1961 Corvette Facts – Related Images
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1961 Corvette
Many say that the 1961 (and the 1962) Corvette styling had finally approached that of the rest of the GM line.
1961 Corvette Cove Differences
Unique to the 1961 model, the crossed flags logo was replaced by this stylized “Corvette” nameplate.
1961 Corvette Front and Rear Fascia Changes
Major design changes, though subtle changed the Corvette’s look. “Teeth” were removed from the grille replaced by a chrome screen. Headlight rims were now body color. “Shark” rear fascia was adopted with tail lights removed from fenders. Exhaust exited under rear.