A Car For All Seasons: Special Edition Corvettes, 1969-2014

SPECIALEDITIONLEADART_1_edited-1For more than sixty years, the name of “Corvette” has had strong ties to GM’s Chevrolet branch and its propensity for fun and fast vehicles. Models from other makes—Fiero, Firebird, Grand National, XLR, and more—have come and gone, but the supercar and its fiberglass foundation have become an American motoring fixture that has yet to reach its permanent retirement.

Having come this far and changed so much over the decades, it hasn’t been uncommon for Chevy to release special editions of its beloved halo car every once in a while. Some were indeed special, while others were a tad more expedient and forgettable.

Nonetheless, you can’t fault the Bowtie decision-makers for creating and marketing these Vettes. Like oh-so-proud parents of an only child, the brand marked the Corvettes over the years with more than 22 separate instances, and the future is guaranteed to have more of them too. So, without further ado, let’s take a walk through history, shall we?

A Drive Down Memory Lane

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1969 “Astrovette”

’69 may have been the high-water mark of counterculture, hippies, and Brian Adams, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention space travel here as well. Chevrolet, for its part, certainly took full advantage of the situation, providing the astronauts of the Apollo 12 mission—Pete Conrad, Richard F. Gordon, Jr., and Alan Bean—with gold and black-colored C3s. Each man paid just $1 a year for the lease as a reward for their courageous service.

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Photo credit: Barrett-Jackson

 

1978 Silver Anniversary Edition & Indy 500 Pace Car Replica

Almost a decade later, two special edition C3s were constructed independently of one another. The first was the Silver Anniversary Edition, celebrating 25 years of Corvette existence. Customers paid $800 to have two-tone paint, “sport” mirrors, and aluminum wheels.

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Photo credit: rallyways.com

The second was the Indy 500 Pace Car Replica, the first of its kind at that point and one that people went ape over. Initially, Chevrolet planned a production run of 300, but later multiplied that number to 6,500 (one for each of the dealerships in America). The option package, RPO Z78, basically amounted to striking yet excessive decals, with a silver-on-gray interior.

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Photo credit: Wikipedia

 

1982 Collector Edition

Far be it for us to determine why anyone would want to collect a 1982 Corvette, but here it is. The 1982 Collector’s Edition C3 was the first ever Vette to sell for more than $20,000, and gave owners such features as a hatchback rear window, aluminum wheels, and commemorative badges. 6,759 were made, comprising just over a quarter of all Corvette production for the year.

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Photo credit: Tumblr

1988 35th Anniversary Edition

Closing out the decade and Reagan’s presidency was the 1988 35th Anniversary Edition, also known as the “Triple White Corvette.” As you might have guessed, this particular model sported a white interior, white exterior, and white wheels for a carte blanche car never before offered by Chevy. The black top was the only thing keeping this vehicle from becoming the official ride of the Ku Klux Klan (that’s what you call a joke, ladies and gentlemen!)

 

1993 40th Anniversary Edition

Chevrolet had introduced a new V8, the LT1, for its lineup a year prior, abandoning the first-generation small block motors that had been used for the better part of 37 years. As a result, the 1993 40th Anniversary Edition Corvette probably felt a little bit more refined and up-to-date than its predecessors. It didn’t hurt to have a special color called Ruby Red covering the body, convertible top, and interiors, either. Buyers could pick up their very own with an extra premium of $1,455.

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Photo credit: Car And Driver

1995 Indy 500 Pace Car Replica

1995 marked the third time that a Corvette was selected as a pace car, but by this time, the C4 was starting to show its age. Nonetheless, the car came dressed in a dazzling Dark Purple and Arctic White scheme, and Chevy made its usual fuss by announcing only 522 would be produced as follows: 87 for public relations use, 20 for export, and 415 for each of the top dealerships in the country. Despite the proclamation, 527 were eventually made.

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Photo credit: Photobucket

1996 Collector Edition & Grand Sport Edition

The last great gasp of the C4 was heaved in 1996, and Chevrolet milked it for all it was worth with the 1996 Collector Edition and Grand Sport Edition. For the Collector Edition, custom embroidery and decals, silver 17-inch wheels, and a Sebring Silver color could be had for $1,250.

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Photo credit: daves68camaro.com

The Grand Sport followed in the footsteps of its 1963 forefather, but was given some exciting touches that made it one of the most loved of the fourth-generation Vettes. Here, you had Admiral Blue combined with red hash marks and a white center stripe, and finished off with black 17-inch wheels. Only 1,000 were made, numbering 810 coupes and 190 convertibles.

Photo credit: Wikimedia

1998 Indy 500 Pace Car Replica

The C5 had just debuted in 1997, and brought with it the stronger, harder, faster LS1 offering up 345 hp and 350 lb-ft. of torque. So of course it was time to have yet another pace car offering, this one featuring Pace Car Purple, black and yellow leather interior, yellow wheels, and a great deal of amenities too, like the new Active Handling System.

2003 Chevrolet Corvette 50th Anniversary Edition

Photo credit: GMinfo.europe

2003 50th Anniversary Edition

50 years older and wiser, the Corvette marked its golden anniversary with an exotic-sounding color called “Xirallic Crystal,” which was just a fancy way of saying “burgundy.” The package came with 1SB options like a Heads Up Display, power telescoping steering column, and electrochromic mirrors, as well as Magnetic Ride Control for a sum of $48,895 for a coupe and $55,370 for a convertible.

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2004 Commemorative Edition

The C5’s seven-year run came to an end in 2004, and Chevrolet decided to commemorate the finale by launching the, well, Commemorative Edition. Designed as a tribute to the winning C5.R that conquered the recent Le Mans race, the car featured a carbon fiber hood, the first of its kind to ever make it to a production vehicle. It came in Le Mans Blue and sported crossed-flag embroidery and badging that read “Commemorative 24:00 Heures Du Mans 2 GTS Wins”.

2007 Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 in Arctic White2007 Z06 Ron Fellows Edition & Indy 500 Pace Car Replica

Accomplished Canadian racer Ron Fellows had to his credit such achievements as first place at the 2001 24 Hours of Daytona; 2003 American Le Mans GTS Class Champion; 2001, 2002, and 2004 24 Hours of Le Mans GTS Class Winner; and 2002 and 2004 GTS Class Winner, all behind the wheel of a Corvette. His racing career also spanned forays into NASCAR and NASCAR Truck. As a tribute to these and other victories, in 2007, Chevrolet offered the Z06 Ron Fellows Edition, which featured red and silver accents, 20-inch chrome wheels, a “Corvette” windshield decal, and a maple leaf incorporated into certain graphics.

Photo credit: seriouswheels.com

2007 also saw another pace car replica manufactured, to the tune of 500 units. Atomic Orange paint and a black ragtop rounded out exterior aesthetics, while hidden away were Indy 500 logos on the doors and headrests, and an orange-lined engine cover.

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Photo credit: ConceptCarz.com

2008 Victory Edition

Americans had been given a great deal of attention with special edition Corvettes, but in 2008, the Europeans got a taste of the high life with the Victory Edition. It came in either black or Velocity Yellow, and sported Competition Gray wheels, a body-colored lip spoiler, numbered badging, and some other premium touches.

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Photo credit: ConceptCarz.com

2008 427 Limited Edition Z06

The 427ci V8 from the 1960s was given a spiritual successor in the 428ci (close enough) LS7, new for 2008 models. Chevrolet decided to herald the occasion by issuing a Z06 that had Crystal Red tintcoat paint, a body-colored spoiler, and a black stripe in the front. Naturally, only 427 were made for the U.S., while 78 were used for export sales.

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Photo credit: ConceptCarz.com

2009 GT1 Championship Edition & Competition Edition

Chevy doubled up on its racing dominance two years after the Ron Fellows Edition with the GT1 Championship Edition, touting the 70 wins and eight class championships it had accrued over the years. Ironically, the car was all show and no go: nothing was done to enhance the Corvette’s performance, but rather featured either black or Velocity Yellow paint with “GT1” motifs placed about the interior.

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Meanwhile, the Competition Edition was sold to remind folks of the Bowtie’s motorsports heritage. It was no ZR1, to be sure, but nonetheless had a focus on weight reduction and technological upgrades that made it more worthy of track driving, whether it was the 1LT or Z06 model. A total of 72 were made between both trim levels.

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2011 Z06 Carbon Limited Edition

Intended as a happy medium between the Z06 and ZR1, the Carbon Limited Edition was crafted for Z06 buyers that wanted something more out of their supercar. To that end, Chevrolet manufactured several parts of the vehicle in carbon fiber, slapped on carbon ceramic brakes and magnetorheological shocks, and topped it off in either Supersonic Blue or Inferno Orange.

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Photo credit: Car And Driver

2012 Centennial Edition

Chevrolet had come a long way since its beginnings in 1912, and helped its fans celebrate the occasion with the Centennial Edition C6. It came only in Carbon Flash metallic paint, and had Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, Magnetic Ride Control, and depictions of the automaker’s founder, Louis Chevrolet, adorning the B-pillars and center caps of the wheels.

Photo credit: Corvette Forum

2013 60th Anniversary Edition and 427 Convertible

60 years on, the Corvette had lasted through 11 presidents, two oil shortages, encroaching imports, and a host of other obstacles that could have ended the nameplate devoted to all things fun, fast, and free in this world. Chevrolet offered two packages to appeal to the masses: the 60th Anniversary Edition, and the 427 Convertible.

The former had Arctic White paint, a Blue Diamond leather interior, ZR1 rear spoiler, and of course, all the requisite badging one could expect from such a model. The latter was essentially a droptop Z06, with its LS7, carbon fiber elements (floor panels, hood, and fenders, to be exact), and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires. Customers could double-up on the goodies by ordering a 427 Convertible with the 60th Anniversary package, around which 1,500 are believed to have been made.

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2014 C7 Stingray Premiere Edition

Chevrolet was very proud of the work done to achieve the C7, and made sure its customers felt the same way with the Stingray Premiere Edition. Laguna Blue paint, brown faux suede interior, carbon fiber roof, and fancy Thule-made luggage helped to make the package feel rightly exclusive and distinct. 500 were produced in all.

As the Corvette continues to reshape and refine through the years, you can expect that more special editions will arise from time to time: 70th Anniversary, Pace Car Replicas, and so on are definitely in the cards for the Bowtie halo car.

Some will be hits, others will be misses, but the future of the Corvette is in good hands when it comes to talent, ingenuity, and innovation. Which of these limited-run rides would you like to have, or already have and want to share about? Drop down below and leave a comment!

About the author

David Chick

David Chick comes to us ready for adventure. With passions that span clean and fast Corvettes all the way to down and dirty off-road vehicles (just ask him about his dream Jurassic Park Explorer), David's eclectic tastes lend well to his multiple automotive writing passions.
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