Subtle Stereo: 1961 Chevrolet Corvette 283FI/4-Speed Survivor – SOLD!

November 4, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

October 19, 2022 Update – The private seller just replaced their expired original listing with a fresh Craigslist ad.  The pictures, description, and asking price all remain the same.

Rare is the opportunity to feature a driver-quality C1 (1953 through 1962) Corvette sourced from a Craigslist ad. 1961 saw Chevrolet launch the two round tail light Stingray design that would remain the brand’s signature design language through the mid-2000s. Coming across this survivor-quality 1961 Chevrolet Corvette in October 2022 on Craigslist in Billings, Montana, was a nice change of pace. Equipped with a numbers-matching, 315 horsepower, fuel-injected V8 connected to a four-speed Muncie, the current caretaker hints that their health has them moving away from classic cars. The only noticeable non-original item on this well-used survivor C1 is a glove-box-mounted stereo featuring trunk-mounted speakers.

Currently offered for $94,950, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is slightly below the one-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for first-generation 1961 Corvettes.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the price of the Corvette featured here:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 Very Good” estimate of $74,000 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $100,000 before factoring in a 25% percent premium for the numbers-matching fuel-injected V8.

Chevrolet stylists completely redesigned the rear end of the 1961 Corvette with a stylish near “duck tail” featuring four simple round lights. Engineers relocated the exhaust tips underneath the rear bumper rather than integrating them inside it. Upfront, a more modern billet-style grille replaced the teeth design of prior cars. While engine choices were carried over from the prior year, a new cross-flow aluminum radiator improved cooling.

The US Auto Industry YouTube Channel features this 1961 Chevrolet Full Line Commercial with spots of Corvettes sprinkled in:

They are only original once, and this 1961 Chevrolet Corvette featuring its numbers matching 315 horsepower fuel-injected is a refreshing change from the sea of over-restored C1 Corvettes we typically see.  We hope the next caretaker appreciates this Corvette for what it is and resists the urge to add yet another restored example to the general vintage Corvette population.

Here’s the seller’s description:

Show or go: What would you do with this survivor-quality 1961 Chevrolet Corvette?  Please comment below and let us know!