For Release: Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, 9 a.m. EST
DETROIT – Chevrolet today unveiled the 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition – the
fastest, most capable convertible in Corvette’s history – as well as a 60th Anniversary Package
that will be available on all 2013 Corvette models.
“The 2013 model year will be historic for Corvette, marking its 60th Anniversary and the final
year for the current ‘C6’ generation,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Global Marketing and
Strategy for Chevrolet. “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 and a 427 cubic-inch engine.”
The 60th Anniversary Package and 427 Convertible will make their public debut at the Barrett
Jackson collector car auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Jan 21, and will arrive at U.S. Chevrolet
dealers early this summer.
Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition
The Corvette 427 Convertible blends elements of the Z06 and ZR1 models to create the fastest
and most-capable convertible in Corvette’s history.
Its heart is the 427-cubic-inch (7.0L) LS7 engine from the Corvette Z06. Rated at 505
horsepower (377 kW) and 470 lb.-ft. of torque (637 Nm), it is the most powerful engine ever
installed in a production Corvette convertible – and, like the Z06, the 427 Convertible is only
available with a six-speed manual transmission.
The LS7 was co-developed with the Corvette Le Mans-winning GT1 engine and features
lightweight titanium connecting rods and intake valves, as well as racing-inspired high-flow cylinder heads and a dry-sump oiling system. It is assembled by hand at GM’s Performance
Build Center, where customers who purchase the 427 Convertible Collector Edition can
purchase the Corvette Build Experience option and assemble the engine that will power their
new car.
Supporting performance elements in the Corvette 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 ZR1-style
Michelin PS2 tires. Lightweight machine-face Cup wheels – introduced on the 2012 Corvette
Z06 with Z07 and Corvette ZR1 with PDE performance packages – come standard and include
unique gray-painted pockets. Black Cup wheels or chrome ZR1-style wheels are also available.
The 427 Convertible also features several carbon-fiber components that help reduce weight,
including:
- Carbon fiber raised hood (introduced on the 2011 Z06 Carbon Edition)
- Carbon fiber Z06-style fenders
- Carbon fiber floor panels
- The “CFZ” carbon fiber front splitter and rocker panels are optional on the 427
Convertible, and included with the 60th Anniversary package
The weight reduction brings the 427 Convertible’s curb weight to 3,355 pounds (1,522 kg).
Combined with its 505-horsepower LS7 engine, it gives the 427 Convertible a power-to-weight
ratio of 6.64 – or one horsepower for every 6.64 pounds of vehicle mass. That’s better than:
- Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet – 6.90
- Audi R8 5.2 RSI Spyder – 7.58
- Aston Martin DBS Volante Convertible – 7.82
- Ferrari California Convertible – 8.31
The combination of low mass and high output will make the 427 Convertible one of the fastest
convertibles in the world, delivering estimated 0-60 performance of 3.8 seconds, quarter-mile
performance of 11.8 seconds, lateral acceleration of 1.04 g and a top speed of more than 190
mph.
The 427 Convertible is available in 2LT, 3LT and 4LT trim levels and will carry a unique vehicle
identification number sequence, similar to the Corvette ZR1.
Corvette 60th Anniversary Package
All 2013 Corvette models, including the 427 Convertible, will be available with a 60th
Anniversary Package, featuring an Arctic White exterior with a Blue Diamond leather-wrapped
interior with suede accents. Convertible models will have a blue top.
Additional content includes a ZR1-style rear spoiler, special badging, gray-painted brake
calipers and the “60th” logo on the wheel center caps, steering wheel and seat headrests. An
optional graphics package adds full-length racing stripes in Pearl Silver Blue, including a tonal
stripe stitched into the convertible top, extending the graphic theme over the roof.
For 2013, all Corvettes will feature 60th Anniversary badges on the fascias and the “waterfall”
panel on convertible models, as well as 60th logos in the instrument panel gauge cluster and on
the sill plates.
Charity Auction at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale
The first Corvette 427 Convertible offered to the public will go to the highest bidder at the
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale collector car auction, on Saturday, Jan. 21. Chevrolet and Hendrick
Motorsports are teaming up for the auction, including four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion
Jeff Gordon and team owner Rick Hendrick. Proceeds from the sale will benefit AARP’s Drive to
End Hunger initiative.
Drive to End Hunger is part of a multi-year sponsorship for Gordon’s No. 24 Chevrolet which
aims to address the growing problem of hunger among older Americans.
A legacy of 427-powered Corvettes
Early 427-powered Corvettes, particularly convertibles, offered from 1966 to 1969 are some of
the most-coveted and collectable Corvettes ever produced.
The first 427-powered Corvette rolled off the assembly line for the 1966 model year. Two
performance levels of the 427 were initially offered – an “L30” version rated at 390 horsepower
and the “L72,” which cranked out 425 horsepower. Both were rated at 460 lb-ft. of torque.
The range of 427 engines grew in 1967, with the addition of the “L71” and “L88” options. The
L71 added a unique triple-carburetor induction system that helped boost output to 435
horsepower. Known to collectors as “427/435” cars, these ’67 models – especially the
convertibles – are especially sought-after collector cars.
The “L88” delivered 430-horsepower (with a single four-barrel carburetor) thanks to racing-tuned
aluminum heads. Intended for customers who would immediately transform their new Corvette
into a race car, the L88 was installed in just 216 production Corvettes between 1967 and 1969.
In 1969, a special “L89” 427 engine combined the L71’s induction system with the L88’s
aluminum heads, offering maximum horsepower with an approximately 100-pound weight
advantage over the standard iron heads. Also in 1969, Chevrolet built two “ZL1” 427 Corvette
coupes. The ZL1 engine was essentially an all-aluminum version of the L88, with the aluminum
cylinder block and heads offering a tremendous weight advantage for racing. More of the
engines were sold as crate engines to racers.
By 1970, the big-block engine grew to 454 cubic inches, just as the trend in high-compression,
high-performance engines was beginning to wane. The four-year run of 427 Corvettes was
already established as the golden era of performance.
Commemorative Collector Edition and Anniversary Edition models
Rare and low-production examples of the Corvette have been around since its 1953
introduction, but Chevrolet didn’t begin building commemorative models until 1978, when the
25th Anniversary model – also known as the Silver Anniversary Corvette – was offered. The
Corvette was in its third generation then and at the close of that epoch in 1982, a Collectors
Edition was offered, as well.
Those special models launched what has become a tradition for the Chevrolet Corvette, which
has offered milestone anniversary and generational collector-edition models ever since. The
2013 Corvette 427 Convertible represents the first time a Collector Edition and Anniversary
Edition are being offered in the same year – and available on the same car.
Below is a list of the Collector Edition and Anniversary Edition models, as well as production
numbers and their distinguishing features.
