Chevrolet Corvette 50th Anniversary Convertible--D&M Motorsports Walk Around 2012

Chevrolet Corvette 50th Anniversary Convertible walk around with Chris Moran. Presented by D&M Motorsports. The Corvette marks its 50th year in 2003, and Chevrolet's rather subdued response is somehow appropriate. Sure, Chevy could have come up with an ultra-expensive and limited-production special edition, perhaps something along the lines of a street-legal version of the C5R endurance racers. But Chevy didn't. Instead, the 50th Anniversary Edition is a trim package available on coupes and convertibles. If this seems less than special, considering the occasion, you're missing the point. A Corvette is not, and never has been, an exclusive vehicle for the extremely wealthy. While Corvettes have never exactly been inexpensive, they have never been as expensive and exclusive as imports with similar performance. With its large V8 engine and stylish fiberglass bodywork a Corvette is a uniquely American vehicle, much like a certain variety of V-Twin cruiser motorcycle. And like the bike owners, Corvette owners tend toward extreme enthusiasm. Just for them, Chevrolet is planning a gathering of the faithful for a serious anniversary celebration in Nashville, TN - the nearest big city to the Bowling Green, KY factory - this June. It should be a good party, for a very good reason. I've just finished a week with a new Corvette coupe decked out in 50th Anniversary trim. Fans can endlessly argue about which Corvette is the best-looking (I'll take the original 1953 model and the 1963 Sting Ray split-window coupe, thank you) but the current one is by far the best for comfort, handling, and power. In the form of my test car, with the standard four-speed automatic transmission, it's not as hard-edged as a manual car or the Z06, but it's hardly a soft luxury impostor. Consider it a four-wheeled version of the classic American cruiser motorcycle. Late-breaking news: A special edition 2004 Z06 Corvette has just been announced, commemorating the car's success in endurance racing at Le Mans. Continuing Corvette's place as Chevy's technology leader, look for carbon fiber front bodywork, special suspension tuning, and a color scheme like that of this year's Le Mans cars. APPEARANCE: A Corvette looks only like a Corvette, and the current version is a low, rounded wedge in convertible, fastback coupe, or notchback Z06 body style. It fittingly incorporates many different historical Corvette styling features. Its shape is an evolutionary development of its immediate predecessor, the `84 to `96 `Vette, which itself evolved from the `68 to `83 models. Check the fender lines. The scooped-out ``coves'' on the side go back to the 1956-62 body style. The rear of the coupe's greenhouse echoes the shape of the `63 to `67 coupes (with better visibility and minus the `63's split window). The 50th Anniversary Edition Corvette is distinguished by unique metallic maroon ``50th Anniversary Red'' exterior paint color, ``champagne'' colored wheels, and commemorative badging on the front fenders and trunk lid. COMFORT: A Corvette is a Corvette, meaning that it's a low-slung sports car designed for serious driving. In some older models, accessibility was, if not quite down to Italian exotic levels of contortion, still somewhat gymnastic. It's much better in the current version, as the old high door sills are gone. The 50th Anniversary package builds on the standard Corvette interior, with the commemorative logo embroidered into the headrests and floor mats and a unique ``shale'' gray color scheme. The instrument panel is the latest interpretation of the classic Corvette ``twin cowl'' design pioneered back in 1953. There is room for two, with an emphasis on driving. Luggage space is adequate for traveling light, and a new cargo cover in the coupe adds some luggage security. SAFETY: Corvette crash avoidance features include quick acceleration, top-notch handling and maneuverability, and 4-wheel antilock vented disc brakes. A safety cage around the passenger compartment, front and rear crush zones, three-point safety belts, and next-generation airbags protect occupants in case the crash is not avoided.