GM Unveils New 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible and 60th Anniversary Package

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GM Unveils New 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible and 60th Anniversary Package

With the 2013 model year being both the 60th anniversary of the Corvette as well as the C6’s final year of production, it has been widely anticipated that Chevrolet will offer something special for Corvette enthusiasts. This morning the rumors of anniversary packages and a new special model have been answered as we are very excited to introduce the 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition as well as the all new 2013 60th Anniversary package.

Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition

The 427 Convertible is a unique new model in the Corvette lineup that plays up the historic combination of convertibles powered by 427s big blocks like those of the late 60s while modern technology from the Z06 and ZR1 models are combined to create the fastest and most capable convertible model in Corvette’s history.

“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 new collector edition convertible is powered by the 427 cubic inch 7.0-liter LS7 from the Corvette Z06. Rated at 505 horsepower and 470 ft-lb of torque, it is the most powerful engine ever installed in a production Corvette convertible. The new model comes only with a 6-Speed manual transmission and is available in all exterior and interior colors and 2LT, 3LT and 4LT trim levels.

Other performance options on the 427 Convertible include the Z06’s driveline and rear axle system, standard Magnetic Selective Ride Control and a rear-mounted battery. The new model will ride on standard 19-inch and 20-inch ZR1-style Michelin PS2 tires with the lightweight machine-face cup wheels. Black cup wheels or chrome ZR1-style wheels will also be available.

The 427 Convertible also features several carbon-fiber components to help with weight reduction. The new model features the carbon fiber raised hood that was first introduced on the 2011 Z06 Carbon Edition. It also includes carbon fiber Z06-style fenders and carbon fiber floor panels. Buyers can also choose to add the “CFZ” carbon fiber front splitter and rocker panels. This diet brings the 427’s curb weight to 3,355 pounds. Combined with the 505 HP LS7, the power-to-weight ratio is 6.64 or one horsepower for every 6.64 pounds of vehicle mass. That’s better than these more expensive sports cars:

  • 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

As for the official numbers, Chevrolet claims that the 427 Convertible is one of the fastest convertibles in the world with an estimated 0-60 mph 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 new model will have its own specific VIN and customers who purchase the 427 Convertible Collector Edition can purchase the Corvette Build Experience option and assemble the engine that will power their new Corvette.


Corvette 60th Anniversary Package

Available on all 2013 Corvette models including the new 427 Convertible, will be the new 60th Anniversary Package featuring an Arctic White exterior with a Blue Diamond leather-wrapped interior with suede accents. Convertible models will also feature a blue top.

The Anniversary package also 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 a new Pearl Silver Blue full-length racing stripe and for convertibles, a tonal stripe is stitched into the convertible top which extends the graphic theme over the roof.

All 2013 Corvettes will feature the 60th Anniversary badges on the front and rear as well as the waterfall panel on convertibles. The 60th logo will also be found on the instrument panel gauge cluster and the door sills.

Chevrolet will show off the new 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible when the first saleable VIN goes up for sale at the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction later this month. Proceeds from the sale will go to the AARP’s “Drive to End Hunger” initiative.

Pricing of the new model and anniversary package will be announced at a later date.

GM Unveils New 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible and 60th Anniversary Package GM Unveils New 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible and 60th Anniversary Package GM Unveils New 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible and 60th Anniversary Package
GM Unveils New 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible and 60th Anniversary Package GM Unveils New 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible and 60th Anniversary Package GM Unveils New 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible and 60th Anniversary Package

Click here to download the Hero Card featuring the 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition with the 60th Anniversary package.


The official press release from Chevrolet detailing the new 427 Convertible model and the 60th anniversary package:

Corvette Marks 60 Years of Performance with 427 Convertible

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.


Source:
General Motors

Related:
The (soon to be) End of the Line for the 6th Generation Corvette
GM to Offer Another Mystery Corvette at Barrett-Jackson?
1953 Corvette VIN #005 Heading to RM Auction in Arizona

 



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