Purchasing a 1961

[Gerald C.]

I'm looking to purchase a two top 61. I'm very familiar with the midyears, but this is my first foray into the straight axles.

It needs the usual resoration as the current owner hasn't touched it in 18 years and it is not a #'s matching car.

Besides the obvious frames issues to look at, what other key spots to I look for on this car. The door lines, etc. look pretty straight.

Any suggestions will be helpful.

Jerry

[Bruce B.]

Re: Purchasing a 1961

Jerry,
If you want to better understand the car based on numbers and parts get a copy of the NCRS Corvette specifications Guide.
Another favorite of mine is a book called "Essentials A Corvette Collectors Guide". It describes the car in brief paragraphs starting with Air Cleaners and ending with Wiper Motors with lots of topics in between.
Bruce B

[Richard M.]

Re: Purchasing a 1961

Jerry,

A few things to look at worth mentioning......

Frame rear kickups- curved area just in front of rear wheels.

Rear frame crossmember- These usually rust at the spring shackle points.

Battery box rust- These are welded to frame, not bolted like C2's

Steering gearbox play- Usually is ok at center but gets loose off center. Sometimes can be adjusted but by design they can get sloppy.

Front end suspension- If not properly lubed over the years the "trunions", as I call them, can wear out easily. There are about 25 grease fittings on the front end.

Wiring- nearly 50 years old. Engine harness is typically hard & cracked from engine heat. New ones are only about 75 bucks, but you need to get underdash to replace it.

W/S wiper mechanism- Cable driven nightmare under the dash.

Windshield posts- If the soft top has shrunk over the years, it's possible that the posts are damaged(where you can't see). There are tabs at the bottom of each post that mount to the lower w/s frame. If the top is too tight, when attaching the front latches, the upper w/s frame can pull out of the glass. If the posts are loose and wiggle around chances are the tabs need repair. Need to pull the entire w/s assy out to do this.

All I can think of for now,

Rich

[Jack H.]

Re: Purchasing a 1961

In addition to what Richard said, '61 was the first year that the WS washer was made a standard feature. Finding some of the original parts (co-ordinator on the wiper motor, vac storage tank with operable check valve, washer pump) can be costly and time consuming...

The vacuum operated Trico washer system was 'marginal' when it was factory fresh/new and 'death' to the system is being left dry/unused. So, even if all the parts are there, expect a 'challenge' to get it back up and working!

[Mark P.]

Re: Purchasing a 1961

I would closely inspect the fiberglass bonding strips to assess previous repairs. Often the repairs will be obvious because they probably didn't color the fiberglass when they repaired it. Also look for hand laid panels.

Get an understanding of where they all are and how the factory applied them.

[Ed M.]

Re: Purchasing a 1961

check the frame closely for rust and possible cracks at the engine mounts..under all lies the fiberglass and the older it is the more chance it is "rotten"... meaning the loss of resin from the fiberglass making the fibers weak.... lots of repair can be hidden under paint....leaky radiators could mean rusty core support, if it has a softtop check how it fits as the previous guys state... hopefully the bows are original as the aftermarket ones leave a lot to be desired.....good luck, have fun...

[Gerald C.]

Re: Purchasing a 1961

Thanks everyone. I will look at all of these points.

The seller is asking $25,000 so I shouldn't be too bad off.

[Terry D.]

Re: Purchasing a 1961

Gerald
Get someone in your area that is familiar with C1's to look at the car before you buy it, even at $25,000 if lots of little things are missing it could end up a very expensive project.
Terry

[Richard M.]

Re: Purchasing a 1961

Jerry,

I agree.......it doesn't take much to go over the top on these cars. Take a C1 guy along if you can.

Rich

[Gerald C.]

Re: Purchasing a 1961

Are there any C1 experts in the Hartford, CT area that can go with me tomorrow????

Please call me at 413-427-1929

Thanks

[Gerald C.]

Re: Purchasing a 1961

well I bought this car. All the bonding strips are in place and other than surfacr rust, the chassis looks great. The car was last registered in 1986 and the husband took it out a couple of times a year (unregistered!)

More to follow

[Richard M.]

Re: Purchasing a 1961

Congrats!!!!

Post some pictures when you get a chance.