Intro
Throughout its illustrious history, the executives at Corvette have occasionally decided to give little gifts to their clients in the form of special edition vehicles. 2013 marked a significant intersection for the company, it was not only their 60th anniversary but also the final production year for the C6. Chris Perry, Vice President for Global Marketing was quoted at the time saying, “We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate these milestones than bringing back one of the most coveted combinations in the brand’s history - the Corvette convertible with a 427 cc engine.” The 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 60th Anniversary Edition blends elements of the beloved Z06 & ZR1 models to create the fastest and most capable convertible in Corvette history.
Interior
A familiar refined comfort greets you as you enter this 2013 Corvette. The driving position and points of contact are something unique to Corvette and are a line of familiarity throughout the generations. The design and manufacturing teams at Corvette do a great job of determining the fine line between Grand Touring comfort and Sports Car driving position, giving you the ability to confidently take this car for long drives and not worry about the inevitable discomfort that so many other cars suffer from. The Arctic White exterior is complimented beautifully by an anniversary edition Blue Diamond Leather-wrapped interior with suede accents which all presents as new.
Exterior
The 427 Convertible features several carbon fibre components that help reduce weight, including a carbon fibre hood, Z06 style carbon fenders, carbon floor panels and carbon fibre front splitter and rocker panels. All this lightweight bodywork is beautifully finished in an anniversary edition Arctic White including the optional graphics package which features full-length racing stripes in Pearl Silver Blue, including a tonal stripe stitched into the convertible top, extending the graphics theme over the roof. “60th” edition badges can be found throughout the inside and outside of the vehicle, making the exclusivity of this particular Corvette immediately distinguishable. Showing only 284 mi (457km) on the odometer, this particular Corvette is a survivor example of what this anniversary edition was like when it left the factory. Everything about the vehicle, both outside and in, remains in pristine condition.
Mechanics
At its heart beats the 7.0 Litre, 427 cubic inch LS7 engine from the Z06. Rated at 505 hp and 470 lb.-ft of torque it is the most powerful engine ever installed in a production Corvette convertible and like the Z06 is only available with a 6-speed manual transmission. Supporting performance elements in the 427 Convertible include the driveline and rear axle system from the Corvette Z06, a rear-mounted battery and standard Magnetic Selective Ride Control. The standard 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels are wrapped in ZR-1 style Michelin PS2 tires. Lightweight machine-face cup wheels come as standard equipment. This weight reduction helps bring the 427 Convertible to a slim and trim weight of just 3,355 lbs. Combining this with the 505 horses in the engine and this car has an impressive power to weight ratio of just 6.64, or more horsepower per pound than a Porsche 911 Turbo S from the same year. This crazy combination of low mass and high output made the 427 Convertible one of the fastest roadsters in the world at the time of its release, capable of sprinting from 0-60mph in just 3.8 seconds and stomping the quarter-mile in 11.8 seconds.
Conclusion
Dismissed by its European brethren, and left without much local competition, the Corvette has been in a class of its own for nearly 70 years. From the second generation onward Corvette quickly evolved into an iconic American road car that could not only keep up but destroy the competition that was too quick to dismiss it. Throughout all those decades, dedicated teams have worked on perfecting the idea that is the Corvette, coming up with thrilling cars like the one you see before you. This 2013 60th Anniversary Edition Corvette is a beautiful, befitting and downright fun encapsulation of a rich part of Americana automotive history
