History C5 2003

Corvette's Golden Anniversary!

The 2003 model year represented the kick-off for the year long celebration of Corvette's 50th anniversary.  In addition to delivering an award-winning ride control, Magnetic Selective Ride Control (MSRC), the 2003 offering included a 50th Anniversary Edition of the Corvette available only as a coupe or convertible.  The former started at $49,435 and the latter began at $56,335.   Offered as a "limited" manufactured Corvette, the 50th Anniversary Edition offered a unique appearance inside and out, special badging, and Magnetic Selective Ride Control.   Nevertheless, many in the Corvette community were disappointed by the Anniversary Edition.   Over 11,000 Anniversary Editions were sold with the convertible selling almost twice the number of the coupes.  To crown the anniversary year, Corvette was chosen as the Indianapolis pace car for the fifth time!

Magnetic Selective Ride Control (MSRC) was an electronically controlled real-time damping system offered as an option for the coupe and convertible and standard on the 50th Anniversary Edition.  (MSRC was not available on the Z06).  Driver-adjustable, MSRC provided two settings:  Tour and Sport.  Tour provided a smooth ride while Sport allowed the driver to "feel" the road. 

Using an electromagnetic coil to alter fluid consistency within the shock absorbers allowed instant adjustment to damping for road surfaces and conditions. With wheel sensors at each wheel adjusting damping force, the electromagnetic system responded five times faster than previous mechanical systems.

The Coupe's pricing was from $44,435 while the Corvette convertible began at $51,335.   The convertible was specifically engineered as a convertible for an unexpected level of rigidity. The drivetrain was housed in a structural tunnel. This stiff backbone allowed the suspension to be fine-tuned to deliver both precise handling and a smooth ride.

Included with all Corvettes except the Z06 was the LS1 V8 engine with 350 horsepower and low-end torque.  Fuel economy was estimated to be MPG 18 city, 25 highway for four-speed automatic and 19 city, 28 highway for six-speed manual).  

Transmission choices (with the exception of the Z06) included an available six-speed manual transmission or a standard electronically controlled four-speed automatic. Standard equipment included Corvette's racing-inspired four-wheel independent suspension, variable effort Magnasteer, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Traction Control and Active Handling System.

Eight exterior colors were available although over 30% of Corvettes sold were replete with the 50th Anniversary Red Metallic making it the most popular color choice for the MY.  

The paint chosen to celebrate the 50th anniversary used Xirallic flake pigments created by the German company, Merck KGaA.  Xirallic, a trade name for corundum (aluminum oxide) platelets that wear a hematite (iron oxide) overcoat. 

The synthetic crystals are flatter, smoother and more uniform than mica or aluminum.   They also lie uniformly flat and reflect light.  The color coat on the Corvette is only about 20 microns thick which would allow about a couple hundred mica or aluminum pigment particles to be used.   Xirallic flakes are only 100 to 300 nanometers in thickness allowing thousands to be used in the 20 micron thick color coat.  Bottom line?  A deep, red color that has to be seen to be believed.

Although magnesium wheels were available as an alternative to the standard wheels on the coupe and convertible, only 293 owners took advantage of the $1,500 option.  On the flip side, body side moldings was the preferred option with over 22,000 Corvettes trucked out of Bowling Green sporting the moldings as seen below in the Electron Blue convertible.

New colors included the 50th Anniversary Red, Quicksilver and Medium Spiral Gray Metallic.

         Torch Red

Medium Spiral Gray Metallic     Speedway White

Neither of the above were available on the Z06.                                           

Quicksilver Metallic                Millennium Yellow

Millennium Yellow was a premium color requiring an RPO to select, i.e., the color cost more.

Black                                    50th Anniversary Red (not available on Z06)

Rag tops came in (see below) black, white and light oak along with a shale reserved for 50th Anniversary editions.