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1961 Corvette, Part 2

1962 Chevrolet Corvette, GM Publicity Photo 1962 Chevrolet Corvette, GM Publicity Photo
1961 Chevrolet Corvette, Photo Illustration courtesy Dominic Lucas
Laura Shepard Churchkey, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard

Laura Shepard Churchkey, daughter of Alan Shepard, the first American to travel into outer space, leads the parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of Shepard's historic flight Saturday, May 7, 2011 in Cocoa Beach, Florida in a 1961 Corvette. Alan Shepard brought along his 1957 Corvette when he reported for Space Program training in April 1959. He would own at least 10 Corvettes in his lifetime. His enthusiasm for sports cars was shared by several of the other young men who would train with him to become America’s first astronauts.

1961 Corvette magazine print ad 1961 Corvette magazine print ad 1961 Corvette magazine print ad
Typical 1961 Corvette print ads. Today they would be referred to as lifestyle ads; i.e. Corvette = the good life.
1961 Corvette ad 1927 with Bugatti 1961 Corvette print ad 1961 Corvette pleasure and brag
GM had enough confidence in the road manners of the Corvette that they compared their product to a 1927 Bugatti.
1961 Corvette Engine Choices
By 1961, Corvette drivetrain choices had become ample with a configuration for every budget and performance intention. 1961 would also be the last year for the 283 cubic inch engine first seen in 1958.


1961 Corvette Badge 1961 Corvette fender 1961 Corvette top choices
Above left: The Corvette badging was updated and featured a "V" over the crossed flag. Middle: The ever-popular spear centered on the fender continued. Right: (Brochure image) As with previous years, Corvette buyers had a choice of either a hard or soft top. If they wanted both, option 419 was checked and the price went up $236.75.

Below: The 1961 Corvette owner's manual.

1961 Corvette owner's manual

Note: Clicking on an image with this symbol (Boxes) will lead to a larger image.


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says...
Background to the 61 Corvette tail and the 63 Sting Ray rear end design.

You should look at a car called the "Victress C2 Coupe", designed in 1953 by Merrill Powell and fisrt sold in 1954 by the Victress Car Company in L.A.

The tail of the 61 Vette including the rear wheel arches are a direct copy of the 'Victress C2'.

The tail of the 61 Vette including the rear wheel arches are a direct copy of the C2 and was continued
into the Sting Ray.

Give credit where credit is due.

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