C1 Birthday Party 11-14-10

[Peter V.]

My '61 #10867102767 turns 50 tomorrow (according to the "birthday" calendar). Still amazing that the car I was so enamored with while a fourth grader now sits in the garage.
No big party planned - just a ride with my wife around cool New England for a few miles before we put her away for the "hard" winter.
Ain't life great?

[Gary A.]

Re: C1 Birthday Party 11-14-10

Pete, that 61 and I share the same birthday 11/14/60. That was why I bought it and I am happy to see that you are enjoying it and treating it with the respect it deserves. Gary Azarian (36258)

[Bill B.]

Re: C1 Birthday Party 11-14-10

Pete Happy Birthday to your pride. Was wondering if you have a 4 speed transmission and if so do you have an aluminum or cast iron main case?

Oh, and my 1961 Corvette turns 50 the following day, she was born on 11-15-60, small world.

Bill

1961 Black/Silver/Red Int. 283/315 FI
power windows. Frame off 65% completed.
1989 White/hard top/Grey Int. daily driver 167,000 miles

"The problem with Liberalism is that eventually you run out of other people's money" Margaret Thatcher

[Peter V.]

Re: C1 Birthday Party 11-14-10

Bill,

Cast iron Powerglide - sorry I can't be of more help.
Happy birthday to your ride.
Does yours have an unpainted aluminum radiator?
Thanks,

Peter

[Bill B.]

Re: C1 Birthday Party 11-14-10

Yes, I have the original aluminum radiator and it is unpainted with the separate overflow/expansion tank, and oddly so a 1960 hood. Does your 61 have the under hood cut out for top overflow/expansion tank indicating that it was carry over from the previous year 1960?
Bill

[Peter V.]

Re: C1 Birthday Party 11-14-10

Bill,

No cutout for the expansion tank. A small one for the bracket holding the front of the generator and another to accomodate the cap of the master cylinder. Since 1960 didn't use the expansion tank (it arrived with the aluminum radiator somewhere around #1700 of the 1961) I am confused as to why a '60 hood would be configured that way.
Thoughts?

Peter

[Gary A.]

Re: C1 Birthday Party 11-14-10

Peter, I may be wrong but I believe the 60 hood is configured that way to accomadate the overflow top tank that was positioned above the radiator. Some early 61's have that assembly and GM would continue using those hoods until the supply was exhausted. Though you have an early car those supplies where exhausted after # 1700. Gary

[Bill B.]

Re: C1 Birthday Party 11-14-10

I agree, just wondering how a 1960 hood made it to mid November, 1960. So I'm looking for any 61 Corvette after #1700 that has a 1960 hood. If not, then I will admit my hood was replaced, and make provisions to locate the correct hood.

Bill

[Peter V.]

Re: C1 Birthday Party 11-14-10

Gary and Bill,

I didn't think of the '60 "top tank" radiator, but you're right.

During my relatively few OJ sessions, never heard of '60 hoods being on early '61 cars, but that doesn't mean much. Dave Hietzman would know!

Peter