Unbelievable 61 Story

[Jeff G.]

I'll try to be brief here with a story that might be worth telling in the Restorer magazine. My good friend Mike bought a 61 eight years ago that was in parts, no paint, no history, and had a passenger car engine in it. He did not know anything about Corvettes but being a mechanical engineer and some research he got it back together. He spent 5 years restoring it, rebuilt the engine, and finished in a the red / white coves he likes.
Out of the blue this week he receives a call from a stranger asking him for the VIN of his car. After this confirmation the caller tells him he was the original owner and found Mike with the help of a police officer friend. He said that this Corvette was his first car and he stored it until getting out of the Vietnam war in the late 60's. It was a fuel injected, 4:56 rear, black on black, and has a long history at the drag strip. The car was named "Black Beauty" and ran low 12's regularly. He also has all the original paperwork, drag strip photo's, and even an 8mm film of the car racing. The car was also featured in some magazine during that era which he has a copy of. All this is going to be sent along with some trophies that belong to the car.
I can't wait to see what shows up at Mike's house. Think this might be a good story for the Restorer?
Jeff

[Bill I.]

Re: Unbelievable 61 Story

Now there's a guy who really cares, I did not know they still existed. Bill.

[Terry M.]

Re: Unbelievable 61 Story

YEs, I think it would make a great story -- especially if some of those photos could find their way into the story.

[James S.]

Re: Unbelievable 61 Story

Folks like that are few and far between in this world. A buddy of mine bought a 70 RA IV GTO 4 speed and found the engine; well the owner of the engine won't sell it! How ignorant and selfish.

[Joel F.]

Re: Unbelievable 61 Story

Jeff, if this becomes a story for the Restorer, try to get Mike to convert the film into a digital format and the post it to Youtube as well. A lot of members would be interested in seeing that!

[Peter M.]

Re: Unbelievable 61 Story

So how did the car end up in pieces in a barn ?

[Jeff G.]

Re: Unbelievable 61 Story

So how did the car end up in pieced in a barn ?

We will get more of the details of what happen to the car and when. I know he bought it from a guy in NY that had another 61. I believe this guy was using parts from the 2 cars to restore one. I understand that the guy did not know the race / fulie history until after he sold it to Mike and is now very upset with that decision. It was a basket case when Mike got it though. He has many restoration photos to share too. He is shocked to learn he owns a car that was born as a fulie.

[Joel F.]

Re: Unbelievable 61 Story

Jeff, is your friend a member here? I would think he'd find it very valuable. Especially for a car deserving of first class restoration.

[Mike E.]

Re: Unbelievable 61 Story

There are some very obvious signs that a 61 is or is not a fuelie. I'm surprised that he was surprised--surely someone along the way would look at the inner fenders. However, if the car was badly damaged in the front at some point in the past, then the firewall would be more of the dead giveaway.

[Jeff G.]

Re: Unbelievable 61 Story

Jeff, is your friend a member here? I would think he'd find it very valuable. Especially for a car deserving of first class restoration.

Mike used to a member at one point but I think he let his membership expire years ago. I'm trying to get him back into the fold. The car has been frame off restored for a few years. He just likes to drive it around with his wife on weekends.

[Jim C.]

Re: Unbelievable 61 Story

That is a great story, and an inspiration to rest of us who have been looking for prior owners and original paper for our cars. I guess anything could happen. Great story.

Jim C.

[Terry B.]

Re: Unbelievable 61 Story

My best friend purchased a 60 Vette in 1964. I bought it from him in 1984. It wasn't until about 1988 that I suspected it was a FI car and it was eventually confirmed by all of the known details posted here on this discussion board. Some of us are just slow!!

[Roger W.]

Re: Unbelievable 61 Story

I had my 59 for many moons before I realized that it was originally a FI car. I also was made aware of this with the details on this board.

[Mark J.]

Re: Unbelievable 61 Story

I was getting a little worried as I read your story, but fortunately it seems to have a happy ending. What happens when you get that phone call and the guy who owned your corvette 35 years ago tells you it was stolen, and now he wants "his" car back?