Corvette: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 19641965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976
1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Corvette Specs, Options: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 19651966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978
1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
To learn more about the 1961 Corvette, click here.
1961 Corvette Specs
Body Specs |
|
| Wheelbase | 102.00 inches |
| 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 |
|
|
| 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. |
|
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 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
Notes: Base Corvette with 283 cu. in. 230 hp engine and three speed manual transmission: $3,934.00. |
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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. |
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