1961 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

If you're a regular reader, you might recognize this drop-dead gorgeous 1961 Corvette from a few years back. But let me assure you that it has been comprehensively upgraded and refined, creating a car that now runs even better than it looks.

Back in 2012, we called the black and silver paint job "classic and elegant," and it certainly remains the case today. It's every bit as shiny, smooth, and bright as we remember and the combination will be immune to age, looking spectacular in another 50 years. This car keeps all the original detailing, including the mesh grille insert, stainless side-cove surround, and the split rear bumper, and simply makes sure that it all got buffed, polished, and reinstalled properly to look like a million bucks. The black paint shines up nicely and while it's a part-time job keeping it clean, there's simply nothing that looks better than a black 'Vette prowling the streets at sunset. You want attention? This car is the fastest way to get it we know of. The chrome is also quite good and against that black paint, it looks particularly brilliant.

Personally, I think a red leather interior in a black car is as good as it gets, and the vivid Torch Red upholstery looks right and offers a wonderful patina that's ideal in a vintage 'Vette. Bucket seats were, of course, standard equipment and it has fresh red rubber floor mats that protect the brand new black carpets. The original wheel was modified and wrapped in red leather, so it's smaller and fatter than the original and feels quite modern in your hands. The original gauges were retained, which seems right since you're not going to find anything that looks as good in a catalog, and the clock was rebuilt during its recent freshening. Heck, despite the mods under the hood, they even kept the factory AM radio! The Hurst shifter with cue ball knob is still connected to a bulletproof 4-speed manual gearbox, so bang away, you won't hurt it! And while a vintage Corvette is really intended for sunny days only, there is a snug-fitting black convertible top, just in case.

There was a replacement 350 in the car when we last saw it, but today it's been supplanted by a brand new ZZ4 crate motor that cranks out an astounding 450 horsepower. Forget trying to look stock, they went for a fully-dressed show car look with lots of chrome, bright red plug wires, and upgrades in every area. There's a new aluminum radiator keeping it cool, new Magnaflow stainless headers and exhaust system, and a fresh power brake booster and master cylinder for the all-new Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes. The chassis is undercoated, but it has a wonderful, uniform look that suggests great care went into the build and the coating was chosen for practicality, not merely because it was easy. Rack-and-pinion steering gives this old Corvette a modern feel with sharp reflexes, and it's tough not to be very impressed with the buckets of cash that were shoveled into this car recently. It keeps its Torque Thrust wheels (why mess with them, they look great!) and 245/45/17 Kumho rubber.

If you missed your first chance at this car, don't let it slip away again. Comprehensively upgraded and ready to rock, this Corvette has finally achieved full potential. Call today!