Chevrolet unveils special collector edition 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible, virtually making a Z06 droptop

Years ago, VW rewarded its fans with a one-off W12 Golf, this year Chevrolet is rewarding its fans with something that touches a few more people: the 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition, a celebration of the Corvette’s 60th anniversary. GM must be quite excited to be chucking out this one, so excited in fact that they spelled it “Corevette” on the press release.

This may be, but the point is that there is now a ‘vette ‘vert packing the same 505-bhp LS7 V8 found in the C6 Z06 Corvette. GM say that the car is a combination of the Z06 and the ZR1: the fact is that we are looking at the closest we will ever come to a Z06 convertible. Outside, you will find the Z06’s carbon fiber fenders and front splitter, the carbon fiber hood from the Z06 Carbon Edition and the Micheline PS2 tires found on the ZR1.

On paper, it’s the fastest convertible Corvette ever made, and it doesn’t stop there: the Porsche 911 Turbo Cab, Audi R8 convertible, Aston DBS and Ferrari California Convertible all have poorer power to weight ratios. 60 mph comes in 3.8 seconds, an 11.8 quarter mile, 190 mph+ top speed and 1.04 g of lateral grip.

If we take a banal perspective, this is merely a mixture of parts that made other Corvettes special, but to every owner, it’s a fast, loud and glorious way to recount the past 60 years of Corvette. The first 427 collector’s edition will be auctioned off at the Barrett Jackson Auction in Scottsdale Arizona on January 21. The proceeds will benefit the Drive to End Hunger program.

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.

– By: Sawyer Sutton