ProTeam Corvettes • 1961/1962 Corvette Historical Facts

*1961 Corvette Facts (condensed version)
1961 Corvettes were produced from September 1960 through July 1961 with a total production of 10,939. All 1961 Corvettes were convertibles with over half receiving an auxiliary hardtop. 2011 was the 50th Anniversary of the 1961 Corvette.

A.	Exterior styling was facelifted for 1961. It was the first Corvette without heavy "teeth" in the grill area. The rear was completely restyled with four taillights, now a Corvette tradition.
B.	Exhausts exited below the body on 1961's
C.	The grill for '61 was finished in argent silver
D.	Popular & Optional Engine Combinations Were: 283ci, 315hp engine (fuel injection) - 1,462 produced; 283ci, 270hp engine (2x4 carburetor) - 2,827 produced; 283ci, 245hp engine (2x4 carburetor) - 1,175 produced.
E.	RPO-687 included special front and rear shocks, air scoops/deflectors for front brakes and air scoops for rear brakes, metallic brake facings, finned brake drums with cooling fans, and quick-steering adaptor of which only 233 were produced!
F.	This was the last year for use of 283ci engines in Corvettes. This was the last model with "wide" whitewall tires.
G.	1961 Colors were: Tuxedo Black - 1,340 produced; Ermine White - 3,178 produced; Roman Red - 1,794 produced; Sateen Silver - 747 produced; Jewel Blue - 855 produced; Fawn Beige - 1,363 produced; Honduras Maroon - 1,645 produced.
H.	Jewel Blue exterior paint was exclusive to 1961
I.	Contrasting cove colors were last available in '61, as were dual-four carburetors.

*1962 Corvette Facts (condensed version)
1962 Corvettes were produced from August 1961 through August 1962 with a total production of 14,531. All 1962 Corvettes were convertibles with over one-half receiving an auxiliary hardtop. 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Corvette.

A.	Engine displacement for 1962 increased from 283ci to 327ci. Dual-four barrel carburetors were not available. 1962 Corvettes could not be ordered with coves painted to contrast body color. This was the first model with rocker panel moldings. The conventional trunk design of the 1962 was the last until 1998. This was the last year for electric generators and solid rear axles. This was the first year to have tires with narrow whitewalls. The grill for 1962 was finished in black anodized, gold anodized, or gold anodized painted black.
B.	Popular & Optional Engine Combinations were: 327ci, 340hp engine - 4,412 produced; 327ci, 360hp engine (fuel injection) - 1,918 produced; 327ci, 300hp engine - 3,294 produced.
C.	RPO 687 included special front and rear shocks, air scoops/deflectors for front brakes and air scoops for rear brakes, metallic brake facings, finned brake drums with cooling fans, and quick-steering adaptor of which only 246 were produced.
D.	1962 Colors Were: Tuxedo Black ; Fawn Beige - 1,851 produced; Roman Red; Ermine White; Almond Beige - 820 produced; Sateen Silver; Honduras Maroon.
E.	1962 Corvettes were the last with a solid rear axle which marked the end of the Corvette's first generation.

The 1962 Corvette celebrates its 50th anniversary this year (2012) & marks the end of the Corvette's first generation (1953 to 1962).

*source: Corvette Black Book, Mike Antonick (2006)

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