To learn more about the 1961 Corvette, click here.
1961 Corvette Specs
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 |
|
|
| 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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