At some point in your life you may have thought, Man, I wish I had one of those awesome special edition Corvettes. If you’re lucky enough to live in the United States, there are plenty of amazing limited-edition Corvettes you can choose from and there are even more if you’re willing to travel abroad. In this list of the 10 best special edition Corvettes ever made, we will explore some of these models and their unique features. Our list includes both roadster and sports coupe versions of the Corvette with production years spanning 1989–2017.
1) 1963 Corvette Sting Ray
In 1963, the Corvette Sting Ray was introduced as a response to GM’s competition from Ford and Shelby. It featured a low profile and hidden headlamps that were installed flush with the fenders. The Sting Ray was designed for both performance and style, making it one of the best special edition Corvettes ever made.
2) 1969 Corvette ZL1
The 1969 Corvette ZL1 is one of the most expensive models ever made. Only five units were ever produced. This car was designed to be a lightweight racer, and it had an aluminum block with a dry sump oiling system, which helped make it lighter than other models. It also had a fiberglass hood and bonnet, as well as fiberglass front fenders for improved aerodynamics. It was also one of the first production cars in America to have a rear spoiler.
3) 1973 Corvette Stingray
The 1973 Corvette Stingray is a personal favorite of mine. It was one of the first models to be offered with an optional removable glass roof. Options for the car included power windows, power brakes and steering, tilt-away steering wheel, and a choice between a 350 cubic inch or 400 cubic inch engine. The Stingrays came in three colors: Wimbledon White with blue stripes, Nassau Blue with silver stripes and Tuxedo Black with gold stripes.
4) 1978 Corvette Pace Car
In 1978, the Corvette Pace Car was released to commemorate the United States’ victory in the Indianapolis 500. The first Corvette to be made with a five-speed manual transmission, it is one of the rarest and most desirable editions of this model.
For any self-respecting car collector, this Corvette is essential for their collection.
5) 1986 Corvette Indy Pace Car
There are few things that could make a Corvette enthusiast more excited than the release of a new special edition Corvette. One of the most coveted and sought after is the 1986 Indy 500 Pace Car. In 1986, Chevrolet was asked to create an official pace car for the Indianapolis 500. They were able to use a one-off concept car called the Aerovette, which had been created in 1984 to celebrate Corvette’s 25th anniversary and had never been seen outside of small groups of VIPs.
6) 1969 Corvette Stingray L88
In 1969, the L88 option was offered on the Corvette Stingray. It had a 7.0L V-8 with 425 hp and 490 ft lbs of torque. With this engine, it could do 0-60 in 4.4 seconds and reach 155 mph (249 km/h). The only production Corvette to ever be rated by the NHTSA at over 100 miles per hour (161 km/h), this is one of the best special edition cars ever made.
7) 1995 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car Replica
In 1995, the Chevrolet Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car Replica was released to honor the new pace car for the Indianapolis 500. With only 507 produced, these cars are highly sought after. The package included a white exterior with red pinstriping and red interior with white leather seats. This is one of 10 special edition Corvettes that will make you jealous.
8) 1996 Corvette Grand Sport
For those who don’t know, the Corvette Grand Sport is a great car. In fact, it’s often considered one of the best Corvettes ever made. With that being said, it’s no surprise that this version of the car is one of the best special edition versions. It was released in 1996 and only had 500 models built – 250 coupes and 250 convertibles.
9) 2003 Chevrolet Corvette 50th Anniversary Special Edition
If you’re looking for a Corvette that will make you feel like you’re driving the car of your dreams, then the 2003 50th Anniversary Corvette is a good place to start. It was designed to celebrate Chevrolet’s 50th anniversary, and it features an aluminum body, paint in your choice of colors, and a convertible top. The interior is classic black leather with red stitching on the seats and door panels. The engine has a horsepower rating of 375 at 6000 rpm, which is quite high for this type of vehicle.
10) 2004 Corvette Z06 Commemorative Edition
There are few cars that offer the same quintessential American experience as a Corvette. The 2004 Corvette Z06 Commemorative Edition is no exception. This is the only Corvette ever to offer a factory-installed 7.0L LS7 V8 engine, and it was released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Chevrolet’s first use of a fuel-injected engine in 1955.
