1961 Chevrolet Corvette Restomod

Vehicle Overview

Ended on Bring a Trailer Auctions : LS3-Powered 1961 Chevrolet Corvette 5-Speed



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Presented by Mohr Imports Monterey, member of Bring a Trailer's Local Partners Program.

This 1961 Chevrolet Corvette was purchased by the current owner in 2017 and subsequently underwent a multi-year refurbishment and modification by Gary’s Rods and Restorations of Watsonville, California, that was completed in 2020. The car was refinished in blue with white coves over blue leather upholstery, and a 6.2-liter GM Performance LS3 V8 was installed along with a Tremec five-speed manual transmission and a 9? rear end with a 3.73:1 final drive. Equipment includes an Art Morrison GT Sport chassis with an independent front suspension, a triangulated four-link rear setup, and Strange Engineering coilovers as well as power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes. A custom exhaust system utilizes Borla mufflers, and the car is also equipped with Schott 18? billet aluminum wheels, a backup camera, a white soft top, a Vintage Air HVAC system, a RetroSound stereo, and Dakota Digital gauges. This LS3-powered C1 Corvette is now offered on dealer consignment with refurbishment invoices and photos, literature, and a clean California title.

Previously finished in white with blue coves, the car was placed on a rotisserie and repainted in blue with white coves during the refurbishment. Features include split chrome bumpers, a driver-side mirror, and a white soft top, and a backup camera.

The 18? Schott billet aluminum wheels feature faux knock-off center caps, and they are mounted with 225/45 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. The Art Morrison GT Sport chassis is powder-coated black and features an independent front suspension, a four-link rear setup, and Strange Engineering coilovers at all four corners. A power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system was installed during the refurbishment, and stopping power is provided by Wilwood six-piston calipers over 13? slotted and cross-drilled rotors. An E-Stopp push-button electric parking brake is also fitted.

The cabin was lined with Dynamat insulation during the refurbishment and the bucket seats were reupholstered in blue leather by Finish Line Interiors of Santa Clara, California. Color-matched upholstery extends to the dashboard, door panels, and carpets, and additional equipment includes a Vintage Air HVAC system, a RetroSound stereo, and lap belts.

The three-spoke steering wheel frames a suite of Dakota Digital gauges that include a 160-mph speedometer and an 8k-rpm tachometer. The digital odometer shows 1,500 miles. Total mileage is unknown.

The 6.2-liter GM Performance LS376/480 V8 was rated by the manufacturer at 495 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 473 lb-ft of torque at 5k rpm when fitted with the Hot Cam camshaft option, which was installed in this engine according to the seller. Features include a Tru Trac pulley system, a custom fuel rail and coil covers, and a body-color intake manifold and valve covers. An aluminum radiator was also installed during the refurbishment.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Tremec TKO five-speed manual transmission, a McLeod dual-disc clutch, and a 9? rear end with a 3.73:1 final drive. The custom exhaust system exits through the rear valance, and it features ceramic-coated tubular headers and Borla Pro XS mufflers.

A collection of photos taken before and during the refurbishment can be seen in the gallery along with invoices for the work performed.