95% All There? 1961 Chevrolet Corvette
That’s right, the seller of this 1961 Chevrolet Corvette tells us that, “The car is 95 percent complete…“. Alright then, the images seem to belie that claim, this one looks more like a “parts is parts” situation. But, who knows for certain without a thorough look, right? Living out its days in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, this forlorn C1 is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $28,000.
The listing opens with, “Car is being sold for parts“. Oh no, say it isn’t so! The listing goes on to detail the menagerie of parts that are included. The possibility of restoration is mentioned too but which direction seems more likely? Well, a resto is going to take some heavy lifting. The seller claims, “Body has all original bonding strips and frame is solid” but it is shaky looking at first glimpse. The seller mentions that the doors, hood, and trunk lid aren’t actually bolted in place, they’re just fashioned in place. The hardtop is obviously attached, but the seller states that the soft top is included – no word regarding its condition. The seller tells us that the “pictures tell the story” but the story isn’t real encouraging.
Under the not attached hood is a 283 CI V8 engine and the “GF” code indicates that it’s a mid-sixties 195 HP version, fed by a Rochester two-barrel carburetor. A 283 CI engine was the only game in town in ’61 but the horsepower spanned from 230 to 315. This car appears to have had sporting intentions at one time and perhaps the original small block was lost while storming the quarter mile at Island Dragway so many years ago. There is a four-speed manual transmission in place, if it’s original, it’s likely a Borg-Warner T-10.
The interior is about what you would expect. The dash and instrument panel are both still intact (the tachometer’s 6,000 RPM redline suggests that this ‘Vette was powered by one of the more potent 283 engines) but the upholstery and door panels are cooked. It is a small environment but for those who would consider a restoration it will need a complete redo.
The story around this car is surprising, it was stripped for painting 43 years ago, parked, and seemingly, forgotten – how unusual! I think this is the first C1 that I have encountered that is being primarily offered as a parts car. Any C1 is usually considered pretty collectible and I have seen similar examples that were strictly considered restoration candidates – and $28K seems pretty stiff for a parts car. What’s your thought, parts only or a better candidate for a second life?
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Comments
From the seller.
95% complet.?
Parts car?
Non matching engine?
A fool and his money are soon parted!!!!!!
The seller may have “accidentally” hit the ‘2’ when typing out his BIN price. Just saying.
The seller is more than likely selling as a “parts car” because it’s missing the VIN tag and doesn’t want to or can’t jump through the hoops a state issued VIN, that’s assuming their DMV Operates similar to California’s.
It’s overpriced as either a project or parts car. At that asking price he should make sure all of the paperwork is in order, since he didn’t he’s not a serious seller.
Steve R
Similar theory, parts car because he doesn’t have a title.
It’s a turd, plain and simple!
Just another typical flipper/tripper try to resell something before he even unloads it from the trailer.
In a couple of pics, the flipper/tripper started taking pictures before he even aired up the tires. Other pictures taken with tires inflated.
Or, perhaps he inflated all of the tires before taking pictures and they just went flat before he got through??
That motor with a 2 barrel carburetor must have come out of a Chevy Biscayne?
Just my oponion!
I think he got the % and the price mixed up. It should of been $95.00 and .21000% complete.
And the 95% does not include paint.
Trash
Sad. It could maybe be a good project for a father son team or an ambitious C1 fan…but, the buy-in is way to high for what you’re getting here. Perhaps the seller is fishing and looking for someone to haggle with. More and more, I feel people should list their “No BS, Sell it Now” price. Then a serious buyer can make the decision if they are willing to pay that price. Novel idea, huh? Tired of the flippers looking to make a buck. They are screwing up the market and ripping people off. No ethics or morals. Maybe I’m done buying cars and just keep the ones I already got.
It does have a nice body. Well… except for the clown-car hood.
While the asking price seems high to most of the posters here, I don’t think it’s ridiculous IF the frame stamping matches the VIN on the title. Regardless, this poor Corvette will probably end up as a Modo-Thingo. RIP.
If you want it.
Bid on it.
Nuff said
There’s no bidding; it’s not being auctioned. Nor is there any written provision for making a lower offer through eBay. I guess you could call the listed number and haggle, however.
Needs everything! For the average person it probably would end up being the project never finished. It would make a good drag car maybe a gasser since there would be less need for original parts or perfection but could save the little vette some dignity. Albeit at very smaller price, something around 5k.
I would say someone wants this car regardless and it will just sit in his garage anyway..some degree of restoration could be performed on the 61..take some serious money but please..someone needs to .get.the fiberglass mix and paint gun on the car..the motor..leave the 65 283 in it and new tires wheels. And do the interior. Presto…a camel or beige color.61 vette is a nice addition..I’ve seen worse cars than this one..someone pull the strings make a offer..take it home and send us pictures in 2025..rj
No title..kills it…plus I agree with most post..6500$is a gift for this..the body alone is a 20k project
.10k.more for paint..if I got 40 k in this car..really..I ‘m nutts.and I like old 60s corvette cars.
.this one is pushing my car theories of restored cars..I’m out..someone else pursue it.
95% USED to be there.
A “GF” 283 assembled in Tonawanda is a ’65 – ’67 195 hp passenger car engine. In other words, a boat anchor.
I can see holes in the driver’s inner fenderwell for an FI air cleaner. I can also see filled holes for an FI script emblem in the passenger fender just forward of the door. It could be a factory injected car.
I’m puzzled by the red paint visible only in the trunk. That implies a factory red interior, but all the trashed interior parts are now black. Huh?
The price is high, but you see so many of these restored and polished beyond recognition, kind of refreshing to see a “hopes and dreams” car for a change. Similar year rough and barely running car would swing by my junior high where the high school kid driver would pick up a 9th grade gal with the body of an 18 year old after school each day one spring.
I have always had thing for rough old runner versions of ool old cars.
One last comment, if anybody restored this hope that they keep the small diameter wheels and big diameter rubber, it just looks so right, the low profile tires they put on many restorations of old cars like this look like ballerina slippers on an NFL linebacker.
If you have five years to burn, and you can do it all yourself, and you can track down all the correct pieces it’s missing or needs replaced, you’ll only have two to three times what it’s worth into it when you’re done.
@justpaul,
” Tell it like it is, justpaul “.
I have done car’s not near this condition and it wore me out!
A person would have to feel they wanted to keep this particular vehicle to even consider touching it!
Perhaps their late Father’s car would possibly be a reason!
I would pay big money for my first 1964 Plymouth, but I can’t find it!
Not just because you just want a 1961 Corvette.
Just my oponion!
My father did five Vettes in retirement. Two C3s, Two 65s, and my mother’s 1960. It took five years to do the 60 right, and it was a driver when he bought it. He was, admittedly, a perfectionist, but tracking down all of the correct pieces to make it a true 1960 car and not a hodgepodge of pieces or all reproductions took hours and hours of research and a lot of road trips that ended up being a waste of time because the person offering the parts didn’t know what they really had, didn’t know the difference, or hoped he wouldn’t.
And the big money market for Vettes is all about originality.
Buy one ( a driver) for 60k and be well ahead of the game. Another one pulled out of an old barn or field and looking for a home run.
Get it running and stopping, slap the lights in, cheap seat cover and drive the daylights out of it. It will certainly turn heads at cars and coffee. You don’t need to worry about parking lot door dings. Of course that’s after paying $8000 max for the car.
95% bondo more like. If it wasn’t fiberglass I would say it’s rusted out.
Ok lets burn it to the ground guys, if you have a desire to own this year corvette
and go though the hoops it would a great project
I see a good project here. I don’t see a problem with the price. You gotta start somewhere.
I paid 10 grand for my 61 Vette 283 red/white coves, black gut, with 1970 corvette wheels on it , it looked real good,
But was real glad to sell it too.
Not easy getting into , not easy driving, steering and brakes sucked, the rear view mirror was the coolest. Glad it’s gone.
It’s all about the money here, if your dumb enough to leave money on the table, it will be resold and someone else will put that money in thier pocket, and they won’t even buy you a cup of coffee. Ask me how I know.
Been there done that , will try not to do it again .
It’s not 1981 anymore. Prepare to be shocked !
The price is a bit optimistic but if it could be had for $20K or less it would be a good project for someone who could do most of the work themselves. However, the vin missing needs to be researched before I’d make an offer. there is a vin stamping on the frame just below the firewall. I’d want that number run to make sure it hadn’t been stolen. I’ve heard tails of people spending time and $$ to restore a car before insuring a clear title only to have the car impounded and or returned to the original owner from whom it had been stolen.
I’d go 5k tops and bring back to life if I had some very deep pockets ship to Vegas have redone
You are right Bryan! There is a chance that this car could’ve been stolen at some time, and without knowing the true VIN, your risking it all. I would not touch this without knowing the VIN. It’s a cool old car, and it needs a pile of work, but having peace of mind on the history of this car would be needed before I would be dumping tons of money and time into it, and the asking price is way to much for what is needed here