The Supercar Registry - 1961 Corvette Modified Eliminator Drag Car

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Chevrolet Corvette.

1961 Corvette “Glass Stripper” A/G drag car project for sale.To be anyway near what it was in the late 60s, it is in need of total restoration. As I understand, the car was built by Larry Teter from Elgin Illinois in the late 1960s. There is still a portion of the name Teter Automotive Elgin Illinois on the trunk in gold leaf. Larry was a very successful drag car builder and gained fame when he won the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis in 1961 and 1962 with his C/G Chevy powered Vicky. This Corvette was built to run in the NHRA mainly and driven by Lou Price from Elgin.

As anyone can see, the top has been chopped and the visibility with the low windshield and the large hood scoop is limited. I have been told that Lou Price was tall and had to shift a four speed sitting with the seat in a rockered position. It may be a stretch to believe this car would ever pass tech today at any nostalgia sanctioned events, but I believe the car would be enjoyed by many enthusiasts, indicative a show they ran back in the modified eliminator era of the 60s and 70s.

This Corvette allegedly ran at Illinois drag strips and it’s last drag race was when it competed in A/G at the 1973 NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Florida. The Vette was entry number 1003 and an original 1973 Gatornationals program is included with the car. The car has a lightweight tube chassis with a Pontiac rear and a straight axle up front. The rear suspension is a four bar with coil overs and there is no center section in the Pontiac rear differential housing. There is a driveshaft loop but no driveshaft.

The car allegedly ran a 427 BBC with a four speed. The one grainy picture included I was told was when the car was built showing the tube chassis next to the body, with what appears to be a BBC engine with a tunnel ram intake and possibly Mickey Thompson valve covers. The original engine is long gone but included is a 454 (condition unknown) that was included in the sale when I bought it. There are several parts that were included when I bought it and was told they were original to the car, among them being the explosion proof bell housing with the rear mount welded to the housing, the front engine mount, and the steering box.

I have included an Edelbrock TR2X tunnel ram which I believed resembled somewhat the intake in the grainy picture and have also included a set of Mickey Thompson valve covers. I was told the car probably ran a Muncie trans and a Muncie M21 (also condition unknown) is included with this sale. I was told that when the car competed at the 1973 Gatornationals, Lou Price was running a spool and he came out of the hole out of shape and ended up tagging the wall or barrier and damaged the fiberglass mainly and the car was parked after that-there may have been other damage.

The front clip on the car today is just sitting on the car and is a pretty inferior clip but came with the car. I am including another fiberglass clip off of what I believe is a 1962 clip wherein the nose may be salvageable if one wanted to use some original type fiberglass in the repair. The clip is a bit rough but may be saved by a professional. Of course new clips are available. Hood and trunk lid are skins to save weight and the hood needs some fiberglass repair. Some fiberglass repairs have been made but the balance of the body would need the expected repair of a car that was raced and neglected at times in its life.Prospective buyers should not only carefully study the photos but should inspect the car to make sure this project is for them.

The front wheels appear to be correct for the car although they are spindle mags made of magnesium and if you study the photos you will see they need repair by a professional in magnesium restoration. The rear wheels and tires are not correct for the car but they were included with the car when I acquired it. The front tires are old and need replacing. You will note the steering box is not installed-there is no steering shaft or steering wheel. The seats are also not correct IMO but they came with the car as well.

There are a limited number of original Corvette gassers left in as raced condition and there were very few that Corvettes that ran A/G back in the era.

Car is sold with a title but no vin plate and since the frame has been replaced there is no VIN numbers with the car other than the title. I would encourage any prospective buyer to inspect the car or have someone inspect the car for them.

I believe my reserve is reasonable but want the buyer to be satisfied with his purchase. I do not have a buy it now price.
Shipping is the responsibility of the buyer. The car will not be released prior to payment in full and/or the funds have cleared into my bank account.