Review: Preview: 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible

[Rob]

Preview: 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible

David Booth
The National Post

I am told that General Motors’ marketing mavens desperately don’t want me to mention that the new 427 Convertible edition of this, the last year of the sixth-generation Corvette, is simply a ragtop version of the Z06. Which means, in my cantankerous world, that the most important thing you can take away from this road test is that the 427 Convertible is, well, a ragtop version of the Z06.

Methinks they’re being silly-billies, worried that the 427 being seen as a shoot-off of the Z06 somehow diminishes its import or allure. In fact, it is the very opposite, an allusion to the Z06 instantly gaining the new Convertible a credibility that simply claiming it is a 60th anniversary (yes, the Corvette is that old) edition cannot.

Full Story: Preview: 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible | Driving | National Post

 

[Tuna]

I can see why GM would want this tester to refrain from such generalities as saying the 427 Convertible is just a ZO6 with a rag top. The 427 Convertible is definitely not a ZO6 with a rag top.

The calibration of the MagneRide shocks (MSRC) is different (from the ZO7 version of the ZO6), the stabilizer bars are different, the springs are different. These changes take into account the differences between structures - steel chassis convertible configuration versus aluminum chassis coupe configuration.

The 427 convertible is not a Grand Sport convertible with the LS7 engine either - for similar reasons.

To keep the balance near 50/50, the 427 Convertible gets the carbon fiber body parts of the ZO6 and the carbon fiber hood. The battery is moved to the rear to accommodate the oil tank and that required a different battery cable routing from the ZO6 as the ZO6 routing would interfere with the folding roof. The MSRC calibration is different here to as it has to handle the ZR1 style larger tires and wheels and the weight distribution.

For the average person, this means almost nothing and for them it will still be a ZO6 ragtop. People have asked me if my 427 Convertible is a ZO6 and when they ask when the ZO6 was offered as a convertible. That's just he way it is. Oh well.

In the end, this tester still says that it is just a ZO6 with the roof lopped off. So, he didn't get it and never will.

It is a "427 Convertible" - period.

 

[Hib Halverson]

I can see why GM would want this tester to refrain from such generalities as saying the 427 Convertible is just a ZO6 with a rag top. The 427 Convertible is definitely not a ZO6 with a rag top.

The calibration of the MagneRide shocks (MSRC) is different (from the ZO7 version of the ZO6), the stabilizer bars are different, the springs are different. These changes take into account the differences between structures - steel chassis convertible configuration versus aluminum chassis coupe configuration.

The 427 convertible is not a Grand Sport convertible with the LS7 engine either - for similar reasons.

To keep the balance near 50/50, the 427 Convertible gets the carbon fiber body parts of the ZO6 and the carbon fiber hood. The battery is moved to the rear to accommodate the oil tank and that required a different battery cable routing from the ZO6 as the ZO6 routing would interfere with the folding roof. The MSRC calibration is different here to as it has to handle the ZR1 style larger tires and wheels and the weight distribution.

For the average person, this means almost nothing and for them it will still be a ZO6 ragtop. People have asked me if my 427 Convertible is a ZO6 and when they ask when the ZO6 was offered as a convertible. That's just he way it is. Oh well.

In the end, this tester still says that it is just a ZO6 with the roof lopped off. So, he didn't get it and never will.

It is a "427 Convertible" - period.

Jus' goes to show you that most of the press doesn't know what it's talking about.:L

 

[catbert]

Jus' goes to show you that most of the press doesn't know what it's talking about.:L

Hib just burned himself - cool

 

[67vet]

Last week I watched a 427 Convertible with only 200 miles on her being run on a dyno. It had some valve work, headers and a Procharger installed. Wow.