Rarest of the Rare: How Many Limited Edition 'Vettes Do You Know?

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By: Dave Davis

7 Min Quiz

Image: Pixabay by gaborszoke

About This Quiz

Since it was introduced in 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette has been the gold standard for many by which all other sports cars are measured. Many drivers, however, aren't satisfied with just having a Corvette. For them, rarity brings pleasure, and having a limited-edition Corvette means that they have the best-of-the-best vehicle. 

So, how well do you know not just Corvettes, but your exclusive Corvettes? We're about to find out.

Throughout the nearly seven-decade run, the Corvette has busted barriers of boredom and transformed into some truly unique iterations of the base-model. These include limited-edition vehicles that commemorate a milestone for the line, celebrate a person who has helped to build the brand, showcase technology, or sometimes no particular occasion at all. It takes a true Corvette fanatic to keep up with all the variations. We think you might be that fan.

We're going to level with you. This informative yet fun quiz isn't for the fairweather Corvette fan. Climb behind the wheel of this quiz and maneuver your way through the various special edition 'Vettes that have graces the showroom floor. Think you're among the elite who can climb behind the wheel and tame some of the baddest horses ever put under American hoods? Impress us with your knowledge and prove to us that you're a limited-edition Corvette enthusiast!

Who did Chevy partner with for the 2008 Corvette ZHZ?

To bolster its selection of premium vehicles for rent — known as its Rent-a-Racer collection — Hertz partnered with Chevrolet to develop the 2008 Corvette ZHZ. This unified project not only helped Hertz promote its high-end rental class, but it also put butts in the seats of the Corvette. The model was available only through the rental company and came in its signature yellow-and-black color scheme. It wasn't a "gimmick" car, however; it came with a V8 that put out 436 horsepower and a paddle-shift transmission.

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Chevrolet didn't sell the 1969 "Astrovette" to just anyone. Who was this special edition intended for?

The black-and-gold painted 1969 "Astrovette" had an intended audience of three — Pete Conrad, Richard F. Gordon, Jr. and Alan Bean. These men flew Apollo 12 to the Moon and back, and were rewarded by GM with these special-edition 'Vettes, which were leased to them for the low price of $1 a year.

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This 1971 Chevrolet Corvette 454 LS6 might be rare, but it's particular body color was the most popular 'Vette color at the time. What is it?

Only 200 of the 1971 Chevrolet Corvette 454 LS6 V8TV were made in this configuration, but the distinctive yellow paint of this particular vehicle was common when it came to Corvettes of this time. War Bonnet Yellow wasn't used for very long — only in the 1971 and '72 model years — but it was the most popular color for 1971, followed by Brands Hatch Green and Mulsanne Blue.

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What element on the periodic table is this 2011 Corvette named after?

The 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon had power to spare, getting 505 horsepower out of its 7.0-liter engine — it could go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. Add to that a beefed-up suspension system and carbon-ceramic brakes and it's obvious that this special edition was built to perform.

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In 2007, Chevrolet released a Z06 Ron Fellows Edition 'Vette, but who was Ron Fellows?

Ron Fellows is a Canadian race car driver who found a lot of success behind the wheel of Corvettes. In addition to being the GTS class winner of the 2001 and 2002 24 Hours of Le Mans, he won the 2001 24 Hours of Daytona and was the 2003 American Le Mans GTS Class champion.

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When Chevrolet released the 2014 Corvette Stingray Premiere Edition, what non-automotive item did it throw in as a bonus?

Finished in Laguna Blue and limited to a production run of 500, the 2014 Corvette Stingray Premiere Edition was a looker as well as having 455 horses under the hood. Buyers of this vehicle also got a set of Corvette-branded luggage designed by Thule thrown in to sweeten the deal!

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What "first" did the Corvette Z-06 offer drivers in 1962 for the 1963 model year?

The Z-06, introduced in 1962 for the '63 model year, was the first Corvette to offer a performance package. This variant offered a larger fuel tank, augmented suspension, high-performance brakes and other additions desired by drivers who wanted to open up their Corvettes and see what they could do.

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Only 200 copies were made of this 1963 C2 'Vette. Can you name this particular rare classic?

The 1963 Corvette Z06 was the first of the line to bear that name, although many other 'Vettes in later generations would carry it on. The Z06 would take many innovations created for the racetrack and bring them to the showroom, including larger shocks and springs, enhanced brake linings, vacuum brake boosters, dual master cylinders and more. Only 200 were made, but its impact can still be seen in the Corvette line.

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The Indy 500 Corvette Pace Car used in 1998 was different from models used in previous years, but why?

In the previous three outings, the Corvette Pace Car was substantially modified to perform well on the track. The Pace Car used on May 24, 1998, was seemingly a clone of what you could march down and pluck off of a dealership lot. That same 345-horsepower engine could be yours for a low price, but without all of the tacky livery.

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Which muscle car builder partnered with a New York Chevy dealership in 1969 to create a vehicle that is highly sought after by collectors today?

Located in Baldwin, Long Island, New York, Motion Performance partnered with Baldwin Chevrolet in 1967 to add increased performance to Camaros. Eventually, they migrated onto modifying Chevelles and Corvettes as well. At first, they dealt strictly with engine modifications, but by 1969 the company started making changes to the bodywork. The highly prized modified versions of the Baldwin-Motion Corvettes currently go for big bucks on the collectors market.

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Capable of producing 755 horsepower, the 2019 ZR1 is a limited-edition Corvette that marks the end of what era for the vehicle?

After 65 years of front-engined vehicles, the 2020 model of the Corvette will be designed as a mid-engined vehicle. For those who wanted to buy a powerful Corvette with the engine in front, the 2019 ZR1 was an excellent choice. It had a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that could produce 755 horsepower and 715 foot-pounds of torque. For those that are suspicious of the mid-engined configuration, have no fear; it will be love at first test-drive.

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The Silver Anniversary Corvette was released in which year?

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Corvette, released in 1953, Chevrolet produced a Silver Anniversary model in 1978. In addition to anniversary badging, the cars had a two-tone Charcoal Silver and Silver Metallic paint job. Just over 15,000 Silver Anniversary Corvettes were sold. You can find them for anywhere from $12,000 to $40,000 on the auction market.

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Which of these was the first Corvette built especially for the racetrack?

The SR-2 was built in 1956 for Jerry Earl, who was the son of GM lead designer Harley Earl and was at the time racing Ferraris. Only two SR-2s were ever created — the other was built for Bill Mitchell, who would go on to succeed Harley Earl. The first SR-2 was sold on eBay in 2015 for $6.8 million.

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GM undersold the horsepower of this beauty. Can you name the model of this 1969 'Vette made for the track?

The 1969 Corvette L88 came equipped with a 7.0-liter engine and had no problem hugging every curve of the track. GM claimed that the engine was good for 435 horsepower, but was found to be able to generate between 540 and 580 horses. The production of this sneaky little coupe was limited to just 216, making them extremely desirable for classic car collectors.

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The Corvette Carbon 65 was developed to commemorate what event?

Offered as a package on select models, Chevrolet built just 650 units of the Corvette Carbon 65 in 2018 to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the first 'Vette hitting the roads. The Carbon 65 lives up to its elemental name by having carbon fiber elements included on its exteriors, such as the spoiler and quarter ducts. These carbon bits reduce overall weight and enhance overall performance.

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The 2003 50th Anniversary Edition of the Corvette sported which exotic exterior color?

Red? No — too common. Burgundy? Nah. Xirallic Crystal? Now you're talking! To mark a half-century of Corvettes, Chevrolet released this commemorative edition, complete with a special package that included a heads-up display, Magnetic Ride Control and power telescoping steering column. Fancy!

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Can you name this 1963 'Vette edition that was canceled after only five units were created?

The Grand Sport model was developed in 1963 as a reaction to the Shelby Cobra variant of the Ford Mustang. While there were initial plans to create 125 units, the project was canceled before that number could be reached. There were five, however, that did make it to the track, and were driven by legends Jim Hall, Roger Penske and A.J. Foyt.

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The 1958 Corvette XP-700 came from the imagination of which famous GM designer?

As he was about to replace Harley Earl as the lead designer at General Motors, Bill Mitchell turned his attention to the Corvette and in 1958 the XP-700 was unveiled. With a clear hardtop and side exhausts, the XP-700 made an impression, affecting the design of the line for years to come. Mitchell actually spent quite a bit of time using the XP-700 as a personal car before ever agreeing to release it to the public.

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Selecting this version of the '69 'Vette over the base model nearly doubled the price, what model is it?

The ZL1 was a variant of the already fast and powerful L88 model. If buyers shelled out another $4,718 — almost double the price of the vehicle — they got a heavy-duty aluminum engine block and a bigger cam. Only three ZL1s were produced, making them one of the rarest 'Vette versions in history.

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Which one of these powerful tools does this record-setting 1998 Corvette special edition take its name from?

By making special adjustments to the suspension and other systems and taking advantage of its Callaway Aerobody package, the 1988 Corvette Callaway Sledgehammer became, for a long while, the fastest street-legal vehicle available with a speed of 254.7 mph. The record stood until 2010 when the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport upped the record to 267.8 mph.

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Which Corvette from 1968 offered the option of aluminum heads to cut engine weight and throw more horses to the wheels?

The L89 option available from 1967 through 1969 allowed drivers to substitute iron engine heads for aluminum and cut the engine's weight by 75 pounds. This weight difference made the big-block 7.0-liter motor behave more like a small-block engine. Only 16 Corvettes with the L89 option were available in 1967; in 1968 that number rose to 624, and in 1969 there were 390 L89s built.

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Can you name the first year that a Corvette was used as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500?

The Corvette debuted as the pace car of the Indianapolis 500 on May 28, 1978, but it certainly wouldn't be the last time. To commemorate this event, Chevrolet released a special-edition Corvette with a black-over-silver paint job with a red stripe between the colors, as well as model-specific front and rear spoilers. Jim Rathmann piloted the car, the man who had won the race in 1960.

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Only 50 1986 Malcolm Konner Edition Corvettes were made, but who was Malcolm Konner?

Malcolm Konner owned and operated a Chevrolet dealership in Paramus, New Jersey, and focused on selling Corvettes. He didn't just sell a few of them; he sold the most 'Vettes of any dealership in the nation! When he died in 1983, the family asked if the company would make a model commemorating Konner. Chevrolet did so in 1986.

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What was a very specific feature of the 1988 35th Anniversary Edition of the Corvette?

The 1988 35th Anniversary Edition of the Corvette was white. Very, very white. In addition to its white paint job, it also had a white interior — including the steering wheel — as well as white hubcaps. Only the top was black. If the driver wanted you to take your shoes off and not touch anything inside the car, he or she actually made a very valid point.

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How much more did the 40th Anniversary Edition of the Corvette cost than the regular versions in 1993?

If you want a special edition, you're generally going to have to pay a little for it, and that was the case in 1993 for the 40th Anniversary Edition. For this money, you not only got to feel the exclusivity, but you also received a car that had ruby red paint and interiors, special wheel trim and 40th Anniversary emblems. On convertibles, even the soft top was ruby red. Not a bad price to upgrade an already cherry car!

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How were the limited-edition 1995 Indy 500 Pace Car replicas distributed to buyers?

The production of the 1995 Indy 500 Pace Car replicas was limited to only 500 total units. Each adorned with distinctive purple-and-white livery, which stood out like a sharpened Crayon. A few were used for PR work, and a few were sold through export and the remainder — 415 — each went to the top-selling Corvette dealerships in the United States.

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What year marked the end of the C4 generation of Corvettes, capped off with the release of a Collector's Edition?

The fourth generation of Corvettes was made from 1984 through 1996, and at the end of the cycle, GM released a Collector's Edition, which came in a Sebring Silver color and offered custom embroidery in the interior and decals, as well as 17-inch wheels.

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In addition to a Collector's Edition, 1996 saw which other edition of the Corvette hit the showroom floor?

When the C4 line ended in 1996, Chevy decided to not only issue a Collector's Edition but produced a Grand Sport Edition with a high-performance engine, traction control and augmented suspension. There were 1,000 of the Grand Sport version released, made up of 810 coupes and 190 convertibles.

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Which engine was used in the Z06 variant of the 2001 Corvette?

When the Z06 was created in 2001, it had to live up to the name of its predecessor and namesake, the Z-06 from 1962. To do this, the Z06 was given an augmented racing setup and a powerful V8 engine — the LS6. This engine could produce 385 horsepower when first introduced and eventually increased its output to 405.

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What "first" for a Corvette did the 2004 Commemorative Edition sport?

The 2004 Commemorative Edition rounded out the wildly popular fifth generation of Corvette. It honored the strong showings the line had enjoyed at the recent 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race typically dominated by European sportscars. Chevrolet decided to celebrate by including a carbon fiber hood as well as other racing features and commemorative embroidery and badging.

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How much would a new Indy 500 Pace Car replica set you back in 2007?

The Pace Cars offer some of the boldest designs for any Corvette — the car in 2007 was painted Atomic Orange — but that style doesn't come cheap. The standard version of the Pace Car Replica in 2007 cost $66,995. If you decided you wanted a paddle-shift six-speed automatic transmission — the only option — the price went up to $68,245. Almost $70,000 is a lot of money to spend on a car that was never actually used as a pace car.

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The Limited Edition Z06 variant in 2008 is also known as the "Wil Cooksey" Limited Edition. So, who's Wil Cooksey?

Wil Cooksey was the Corvette plant manager from 1993 to 2008 and took an active role in the process. He chose the color scheme — Crystal Red —  and then numbered and signed the inside of all 505 armrest console covers.

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Why did GM issue a "1982 Collector’s Edition" of the Corvette?

The 1982 Collector's Edition of the Corvette marked the end of the 1968 through 1982 model, also known as the "C3" models. The "CE" models had a distinctive Silver Beige color, as well as special hubcaps and other trim features. About a quarter of the Corvette models released in 1982 were the Collector's Edition variant.

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What is the major difference between the 2008 Victory Edition of the Corvette and other special editions of the line?

Europeans love American muscle cars just as much as we love those opulent German cars they send over to us. The 2008 Victory Edition of the Corvette was designed and built for the European market and came in black or Velocity Yellow along with other cosmetic touches such as a body-colored lip spoiler that set this version apart from others.

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The Competition Sports Corvette, with Blade Silver Metallic paint and black stripes, hit the streets in what year?

With a lagging economy hitting the automotive industry hard, limited editions like the Competition Sports Corvette were a great way of enticing automotive shoppers to pull the trigger on buying vehicles that were tempting them. The 2009 Competition Sports Corvette had racing logos and other cosmetic items, as well as the Z51 performance package, performance exhaust and other enhancements.

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What special feature did the 2009 Corvette GT1 Championship Edition have on its exterior?

The 2009 Corvette GT1 Championship Edition was built to commemorate the success of the Corvette Racing team, who competed in the GT1 class of the American Le Mans Series. In addition to featuring the team's logo and exclusive embroidery on the seats and center armrest, the lower part of the doors displayed the years of the team's victories.

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The 2012 Centennial Edition came exclusively in what color?

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet, the company produced a special 2012 Centennial Edition of the Corvette. While it was more of an appearance package than a performance package, the vehicle was striking in its Carbon Flash Metallic paint job set off by red trim. The upgrade was an echo for the growing popularity of the "murdered out" automotive styling that had been popular at that time.

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To celebrate the vehicle's 60th anniversary, what feature did the 2013 Corvette 427 sport?

The 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 was a commemorative edition that sported a white exterior and a convertible roof. The vehicle was ALMOST in the Z06 family, sharing a body style, engine, transmission and magnetorheological shocks with the high-performance variant, but the 427 had a steel frame rather than the Z06's aluminum frame. The use of steel was to increase the rigidity of the structure and reduce flexing during spirited driving conditions.

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What was the horsepower rating for the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport?

The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport's LT1 6.2-liter V8 engine was capable of a 460-horsepower output, giving the vehicle more power than most drivers needed — but were glad to have. Add to that a responsive seven-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission and the Grand Sport more than lived up to its name.

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Which of the following drivers does NOT have a vehicle named after him in the 2019 Corvette Drivers Series special edition?

In 2019, Chevrolet released the Corvette Drivers Series special edition with four cars named after members of the Corvette Racing team — Tommy Milner, Oliver Gavin, Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia. The models were based on the Grand Sport model. The models came with different paint and trim colors for each of the drivers, but all had a 6.2-liter V8 that output 460 horsepower.

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