The 1961 was listed for sale in Hemming's Motor News. I was lucky to be the first caller to answer the for sale add.  Trudy, George's wife took the message and stated" George will return all calls in the order they were received".  Later that evening George returned my call. I asked him the normal questions, is it a matching number car, condition of the frame, and has the car been in any major accidents.  George began to talk about the Corvette and promised he would return my deposit if I was not satisfied with his assessment, I agreed to buy the 1961 and would send a overnight deposit the next day.
	The original Hemming's Sale Add
	1961 Chevrolet Corvette Brochure
	Meeting George for the first time. George new I was concerned with the condition of the frame and if the numbers were matching. Upon arrival I found the 1961 up on a scissor lift for inspection of the frame. The Corvette was better than George described in the add and over the phone. George replaced the T-10 transmission case with a cast iron case. The original aluminum T-10 case set near the car.
	George & Trudy George restored the 1961 for Trudy, he drove a 1958 corvette that had been sold earlier. Trudy wanted the 1961 color changed from the original Sateen Silver to a light version of Jewel Blue. The original Sateen Silver color could be seen on the underside of the hood, trunk lid  and convertible top lid.
	George taking Janet for a ride. The purchase of the Corvette was completed, we had to load the 1961 on the trailer and wait for the US Mail and the deposit check. The reason we had to wait for the deposit check was that I got nervous that someone closer to to George's location would try and buy the Corvette. I discussed my options with my wife Janet and we decided to leave early the next morning. I secured a trailer, called work for a personal day, and secured the balance of payment in the form of a bank check. We were off very early the next morning for Reading PA.
	George backs the 61 from the garage and we are ready for a test drive.
	George and I are going for a test drive. I get my chance to drive the 1961 Corvette on return trip. This was the first time I got to drive a solid axel Corvette since 1968.  I had purchased a 1962 Fawn Beige 250-HP Corvette shortly after graduating from high school, then Viet Nam and if you were from this era you know the rest of the story.
	Note the original Jewel Blue dash pad. The interior was original, but in very rough condition.
	Janet and George securing the 1961 on to the trailer. We would not be able to start home until the afternoon mail arrives. We had beaten the overnight deposit check to George's house. The check would arrive shortly after 12:00 PM  and we would be on our way to Western, NY, or home.
	We stopped after about 45 minutes on the road to check the tie down straps. Now was not the time to loose the Corvette. I had been waiting since 1968 to secure another solid axel Corvette and it was now mine!
	We had not had lunch, so we stopped, checked the tie downs straps again and ate lunch. We drew a crowed when ever we stopped for gas or food and there were thumbs up from all passer buyers whether they were driving or walking. What a great feeling.
	We finally arrived home, and it was dark. The Corvette would sit on the trailer for the evening. I would peak out every so often to verify that I had purchased a Corvette. I still could not believe it was mine. The next morning the evaluation process started. I went to start the Corvette and the battery was dead. George had stated that he only drove the car for a few miles each year over the last five years and had problems with starting the car. New Delco battery and it fired right up. I could not resist taking it out for a quick test drive. Off I went, straight up a large hill. I noticed that the clutch was slipping a little. I would have to install a new one! They were the only problems I would have with the 1961. Thanks! George