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Even as the C8 Z06 edges closer to production, there’s another big Chevrolet Corvette celebration on the horizon. 2023 is also the Corvette’s 70th birthday, and GM wants to celebrate. So, as it did after the C8.R won the IMSA Championship, it’s releasing a special commemorative package. And it’s bringing the ‘regular’ C8 Corvette in on the fun, too.

The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and Z06 ring in 70 years with an Anniversary Edition package

A 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Edition Carbon Flash Metallic with its roof off
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Edition Carbon Flash Metallic | Chevrolet

Back in 1953, the Corvette had an inline-six engine in the front and a two-speed automatic transmission. With its mid-mounted V8 and eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, the current-gen C8 Corvette is a very different beast. And that’s without getting into the 2023 Corvette Z06’s supercar insanity.

But for all that, the C8 is still a RWD, reasonably-affordable sports car, just like the original. And for 2023, the current Corvette honors its ancestor with a 70th Anniversary Edition homage.

A 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Edition White Pearl Metallic Tri-Coat with its roof off
2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Edition White Pearl Metallic Tri-Coat | Chevrolet

Available on the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Convertible, and Z06, the 70th Anniversary Edition comes in two colors. One is Carbon Flash Metallic—read ‘black’—while the other, White Pearl Metallic Tri-Coat, mimics the C1’s iconic white paint job. Both offer optional stripes in complementary colors: Satin Gray with White Pearl and Satin Black for Carbon Flash.

Besides the paint color, each 2023 Corvette 70th Anniversary Edition gets commemorative wheel caps and a red stripe along the trim-specific dark wheel’s rim. Inside, you’ll find two-tone Ceramic White leather GT2 or Competition Sport seats with red stitching and seatbelts, as well as a microsuede steering wheel and seat inserts. That steering wheel, as well as the sill plates and seats, also bears a ‘70th Anniversary Edition’ logo.

Speaking of, the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette 70th Anniversary Edition gets a special ‘70th Anniversary Edition’ of the regular Corvette cross-flag logo. And in addition to an Edge Red engine cover and brake calipers, Chevrolet is throwing in a custom luggage set with red stitching and, you guessed it, a ‘70th Anniversary Edition’ logo. A rear bumper protector and trunk cover finish off the package’s goodies.

Every 2023 Chevrolet Corvette will celebrate the sports car’s 70th anniversary

Eight generations of Chevrolet Corvette on a racetrack
Eight generations of Chevrolet Corvette | Chevrolet

Although the 70th Anniversary Edition package is available on the regular 2023 Corvette and the Z06, it’s not offered with every trim. If you want it on a Stingray or Stingray Convertible, you’ll need to get the 3LT trim. And it’s only offered on the range-topping Z06 3LZ.

However, the other 2023 Corvette trims are still celebrating the sports car’s 70th birthday, just more subtly. They get a commemorative plaque on the center speaker as well as a special rear-window graphic. And while the Anniversary Edition cars get these, too, the regular 2023 ‘Vettes have more interior and exterior color options. The Ceramic White leather is just for the Anniversary Edition cars, though.

How much does the Anniversary Edition package cost?

As of this writing, Chevrolet hasn’t released pricing details for the 2023 Corvette 70th Anniversary Edition models. But for comparison, a 2022 Corvette Stingray Convertible 3LT costs $79,850 before options, while the Coupe starts at $72,850. As for the 2023 Z06, it should start below $90K, though the 3LZ might crest that line.

Also, whoever wants the first 2023 Z06 70th Anniversary Edition will need to be very lucky. That’s the very first production C8 Z06, and it’s going up for auction, Road & Track reports. However, although this is a one-year-only package, it’s not a traditional ‘limited edition’ one. Chevrolet will make as many 70th Anniversary Edition cars as people order.

That should make for one very happy Corvette birthday.

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