The Story

By 1961, Chevrolet’s first-generation Corvette had truly come of age. While retaining the basic body design introduced for 1958, styling was refreshingly simplified with reduced chrome and ornamentation, a refined grille and updated rear treatment foreshadowing that of the forthcoming 1963 Sting Ray. Standard features were plentiful, including a tachometer, seat belts, sun visors, dual exhaust, carpeting, an electric clock, outside rearview mirror and seven exterior colors.

Despite the controversial 1957 AMA (American Manufacturers Association) racing ban, lead Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov and his development team steadfastly continued to endow the Corvette with a growing arsenal of race-proven performance options. New anti-roll bars sharpened the Corvette’s handling, and both the clutch and radiator were now of lightweight aluminum construction. Racing success translated directly to sales growth, boosted by a starring role in TV’s “Route 66” series, which debuted in September 1960 on CBS. Total Corvette sales hit a new record for 1961, the final year for the 283 CI small-block V-8 engine. Delivering 315 HP, the top RPO 354 Fuel-Injected 283 CI V-8 engine featured a hot solid-lifter camshaft and, of course, the now-iconic Rochester fuel-injection system for ultimate performance. Costing a considerable $484.20, the RPO 354 Fuelie engine powered 1,462 Corvettes for 1961. 

Part of the Keith Busse Collection, this rare fuel-injected 1961 Corvette is rarer still as one of just 233 RPO 687 Big Brake/special steering cars produced. Continuing to benefit from an older restoration, it features the rare 283/315 HP fuel injected V-8 engine, 4-speed manual transmission, Positraction, finned brake drums with cooling fans, and Big Brake air ducts, plus RPO 276 15×5.5-inch wheels. The Fawn Beige exterior finish is complemented by a black soft top, Fawn Beige hard top and a beige interior. Among its many accolades, this highly decorated Corvette legend carries Bloomington gold certification, and it was inducted into the Bloomington Gold Special Collection. Awards under NCRS judging include NCRS Top Flight National (99.5%), NCRS Top Flight Regional (99.7%) and the NCRS Duntov Award (99.5%), plus NCRS Performance Verification and NCRS Ladies Choice awards.