Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 2003 Chevrolet Corvette 50th Anniversary Convertible.
If you missed the chance to buy a 50th Anniversary Corvette when it was new, your lucky day has arrived. An immaculate example with just 1,829 miles on its odometer has surfaced in the marketplace, and even if you’re just tire-kicking, you’ll want to give it a look. The showroom-fresh C5 is being offered by a dealer in Sarasota, Florida, and the auction will end Tuesday.
Since its launch in 1953, the Corvette has been an undisputed American icon. It has been a favorite of performance car enthusiasts across many generations, and the car’s momentum continues even in the modern age: According to sales figures published by General Motors, in 2023, there were 53,785 Corvettes delivered in the United States. About half were coupes and half were convertibles. This was the Corvette’s second-best sales year in history.
Riding on the same Y-body platform as other fifth-generation Corvettes, the 50th Anniversary version was a popular choice for model year 2003, and for good reason. Among its added features were a special “Anniversary Red Metallic” paint job, champagne-colored wheels, Shale-colored leather interior with special embroidery, and other modern niceties like head-up display, memory seats, a 12-disc CD changer, and Magnetic Selective Ride Control (MSRC) suspension settings.
The CARFAX for today’s car is rather fascinating to peruse. The car was owned in Pennsylvania until 2019 and took about 16 years to accrue its first 900 miles. Then, in the most recent five years, the mileage has roughly doubled since its relocation to Florida. Aside from a few emissions checks, maintenance history is sparse (and understandably so). From a mileage perspective, this car is not even ready for its first oil change, even after 21 years. Power comes from the robust LS1 5.7-liter V8, which was rated when new at 350 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque.
A print ad for the 50th Anniversary Corvette said, “Of course the last 50 years have been a blur. That’s the whole point.” Can you imagine what kind of tricks Chevrolet will have up its sleeve for the 100th Anniversary Corvette in 2053? I hope we are all around to witness it! In the meantime, click on over and drool all over this 2003 version just like I did.
The auction for this 2003 Chevrolet Corvette 50th Anniversary Convertible ends Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 11:45 a.m. (PDT)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery
