2003 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 50th Anniversary Edition

It's difficult to imagine that a half-century has passed since the first Corvette made its debut appearance at the 1953 Motorama exhibition. Even more incomprehensible is the wholesale transformation wrought upon this revered icon during that period. Save for remaining true to its fiberglass-bodied, two-seat heritage, America's only mass-produced high-volume sports car shares little in common with its seminal progenitor, spun from a short-wheelbase Chevrolet sedan chassis, powered by a 150-horse Blue Flame six and shod with stylish wide-whitewall 6.70-15 bias-ply tires.

Tasteful visuals mean nothing without first-rate hardware to match, and here the C5 also steps to the forefront big time.

Now in its 5th generation, today's Corvette is a fully bespoke pedigree package, capable of holding its own against competitors from around the world and doing so at a fraction of their cost. That fact was driven home most emphatically when we checked out a new 50th Anniversary Edition. Even our autoshifted convertible, the mildest-mannered C5 in the class of '03, still packs a dead-serious performance punch as well as the ability to put a smile on the face of the most dedicated sun chaser.


Technically, the 50th Anniversary Edition is option group 1SC, an upgrade that adds $5,000 to either the $43,225 coupe or $49,700 convertible. Distinctive exterior treatment on both includes unique 50th Anniversary Red paint, champagne-colored wheels and special badging on its nose, tail and foreflanks. Inside, the leather upholstery and dash are done in Shale—which also matches the soft top—punctuated with 50th logos embroidered into the seatbacks and floormats. While all '03 Corvettes get new sport buckets, a power passenger seat with new child-seat anchors and dual-zone climate control, this edition also adds padded armrests in the doors.


Tasteful visuals mean nothing without first-rate hardware to match, and here the C5 also steps to the forefront big time. Forming the hard-core of this sleek charger is an exceptionally stout perimeter frame that matches hydroformed side rails with a rigid central backbone element. Upper and lower control arms at each wheel are linked by a composite transverse leaf spring at each axle and trimmed by front/rear stabilizer bars. While unable to roll out the all-new C6 model to coincide with this historic season, the Corvette team provided a first look at what lies ahead in the form of the new F55 Magnetic Selective Ride Control system. Replacing the previous F45 continuous variable damping package, MSRC is standard on Anniversary Edition cars and optional on all other Vette variants save for the Z06.

Inside, the leather upholstery and dash are done in Shale?which also matches the soft top?punctuated with 50th logos.

MSRC technology is based around a monotube shock absorber design that incorporates a unique electromagnetic coil inside of its otherwise conventional piston and Magneto-Rheological fluid in place of the usual oil/gas media. Selectively applying a charge to this viscous damping agent instantaneously alters its consistency—and subsequently the specific control characteristics the shock can exert on each individual wheel. Under the direction of a central ECU that also interfaces with the traction control and ABS systems, MSRC can optimize the suspension response to specifically match surface conditions, thereby limiting body motion and wheel hop in on rough, bumpy surfaces and adding more stability in high-speed transition maneuvers.