1961 Chevrolet Corvette
Exceptional example having benefited from a comprehensive restoration

Registration No: DXI 491
Chassis No: 10867S100908
MOT: Exempt

• Exhaustive two-year professional restoration completed shortly after importation
• Purchased by the vendor from marque specialists Corvette Kingdom
• Invoices on file for some £86,000 worth of expenditure since arrival in the United Kingdom
• Sensibly uprated with a brake servo and rack and pinion steering for enhanced driveability
• Worthy of close inspection!

Now in its eighth generation, the 'Vette began life in 1953 with the C1 - a model that captivated a generation of American youngsters. It was the work of the legendary Harley Earl and inspired by the great European road/race offerings of the day. It borrowed its name - of French origin - from centuries of small, fast warships. The newcomer was first seen in concept form at the New York Auto Show, and generated sufficient interest for General Motors to hand-build a batch of 300 Polo White Convertibles. Sales, slow at first, had built to no less than 14,000 per annum by the introduction of the C2 10 years later. The C1 received multiple cosmetic updates along the way, the most significant of which came in 1958 when the nose was lengthened and dual headlights were introduced. The model was initially only available with a straight-six powerplant but soon progressed to V8 power units of varying horsepower with various transmission options.

Manufactured in 1961, the Corvette C1 offered was supplied new to the Chevrolet's native United States of America, residing there until imported to the United Kingdom in 2008 from the state of Michigan. Provided to Tim Lang Restoration Centre, the Corvette was thereafter provided with an extensive restoration over the subsequent twelve months. The body-off restoration comprised a full chassis refresh and repaint; hundreds of hours of attention to the bodywork and paintwork; an overhauled engine with re-bored block, reground crank, new pistons and rings, main bearings, oil pump, and much more; quick shift gearbox overhaul; new brakes throughout; full suspension overhaul; new body fittings; new hood; fully re-trimmed interior; wheels refreshed; and exhaustive new parts. Provided its first MOT in 2010 at 83,154 recorded miles, the Corvette has now covered very minimal mileage since the completion of the restoration.

In 2013, the continued exceptional maintenance of the Corvette meant the car was entrusted to marque specialists Corvette Kingdom for further extensive improvements. The engine was again removed and detailed, and fitted with a new Edelbrock Performer intake manifold and Holley 600 carburettor, new HEI distributor, new aluminium radiator with auxiliary cooling fan, built-in transmission cooler, and a dual Magnaflow exhaust system installed, with the engine bay also resprayed and detailed. The TH350 transmission was removed, re-sealed, and reinstalled with a new three-speed shifter. A front disc brake conversion was supplied, along with a dual circuit master cylinder, and the rear axle was fitted with new wheel bearings. The brakes were again overhauled, with the wheels sandblasted and repainted and fitted with new whitewall tyres.

Acquired by the vendor in 2018 from Corvette Kingdom, the Chevrolet has been an attendee of local shows during his ownership, again covering very minimal mileage. Enhanced with uprated steering through a rack and pinion steering column fitment from Corvette Kingdom in 2020 to the cost of some £3,600, the C1 has further benefited from new front exhaust pipes (2021, Corvette Kingdom £1,270) and a new ignition switch. Worthy of close inspection, the vendor rates the Corvette as excellent throughout (regarding engine, gearbox, bodywork, paintwork, electrical equipment, and interior trim). The Corvette started readily and ran well during our recent photography session.

Offered for auction with a history file which includes extensive invoices on file that add up to a massive £86,000 of expenditure on the Corvette since its arrival in the United Kingdom, including £26,000 on the works completed by Corvette Kingdom and £23,500 with Tim Lang Restoration Centre. Also included in the history file is a photograph album from the restoration with Tim Lang, import documentation, previous MOT certificates, Michigan State Title, and a current V5C document. Such well presented examples of early Corvettes are a rare find on British shores, so this example with exhaustive improvements and maintenance is surely one to consider for anyone in the market for a C1 Corvette.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452