By: Jeffrey Ross
Autotropolis.com
Gearing up for the return of the legendary ZR1, Corvette fans can whet their whistles with another numerical designation from the car’s history - 427.
Paying homage to the mighty 427 cubic inch displacement engines that epitomized the muscle car scene in the late 1960s, Chevrolet introduced the 2008 Corvette 427 Limited Edition Z06. By limited edition, Chevy means limited edition. When the car goes on sale this spring, only 427 units will be sold in North America.
Aside from the unique chrome, split five-spoke wheels and black “stinger-style” stripe on the hood, the 427’s Crystal Red Tintcoat paint really makes this car stand out. The body-color decklid spoiler and “427” hood badges also help to distinguish this car from “lesser” Z06 models.
Inside the 427 Corvette, an exclusive dark titanium leather-wrapped interior and embroidered seats and floor mats provide a stylish finishing touch. Additionally, each car will be individually signed and numbered by Wil Cooskey, the retiring plant manager of the Corvette’s Bowling Green, Ky. production facility.
Ironically, the metric conversion of the stock Z06’s 7.0-liter engine is an even 427 cubic inches. As such, the 505-horsepower LS7 V-8 is carried over along with the Corvette’s six-speed manual transmission. Only one of those gears is necessary to launch the 3,162-pound ‘Vette from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. When pushed, this Corvette makes a quarter mile go by in just 11.7 seconds and has a top speed of 198 mph.
The Corvette has been no stranger to special editions lately with the Ron Fellows Z06 and Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica becoming instant collector’s items in the last year. While 500 Indy replicas were made, only 300 Ron Fellows Corvettes ever breathed Kentucky air.
As with past special-edition Corvettes, the low-volume production numbers means a premium will be put on the pricing. The added flash and flair of the Corvette 427 will equate to an MSRP of $84,195 - almost $13,000 more than the stock Z06.
Photos Courtesy of General Motors