2003 Corvette | HowStuffWorks

To mark the Corvette's first half-century of production, Chevrolet offered a 50th Anniversary Special Edition 2003 Corvette. Available only on coupes and convertibles, the package included a handsome metallic-burgundy Anniversary Red exterior with champagne-painted wheels and specific badges; a shale interior was highlighted with embroidered emblems on the seats and floor mats, armrests, and grips. The 50th Anniversary convertible also had a shale-hued top. As many as 10,000 Anniversary cars would be built, based on customer demand, and the package -- RPO 1SC Preferred Equipment Group 2 -- added $5,000 to the cost of a base coupe or convertible.

The 50th Anniversary Edition was an option for the 2003 Corvette hatchback and convertible. Included were Anniversary Red paint, shale leather interior, "50" logos inside and out, and new Magnetic Selective Ride Control. See more pictures of Corvettes.

The F55 suspension was designed to make such adjustments at the blinding rate of about 1,000 times per second, governed by a dual-processor computer chip and based on the car's speed, steering-wheel angle, wheel travel, lateral acceleration, braking, and even the outside temperature. The system was designed to isolate and smooth the action of each tire to help minimize bouncing, vibration, and noise. The result was a quieter, flatter ride with more responsive and precise handling, especially during sudden high-speed maneuvers. The system worked in tandem with both the Corvette's traction-control and antilock braking systems to afford maximum balance and stability over a full range of road conditions. For the heartiest motorists willing to trade some ride comfort for additional road feel, a console-mounted switch afforded a change from "Tour" to "Sport" mode.

Enthusiast-magazine testers came away duly impressed by the F55 system's ability to maintain control and reduce ride harshness when traversing large bumps or dips at speed, and its ability to absorb pavement imperfections and eschew superfluous suspension travel without sacrificing road feel. The alternate "Sport" mode was appreciated, but its greater degree of control and subsequently harsher ride was noted to be more appropriate for running hot laps on a race track than it was in daily driving. The Magnetic Selective Ride Control's added heft, just over 13 pounds, precluded the new system from being offered on the high-performance Z06, however, where every ounce of added weight was looked upon with disdain.

Production on the 2003 Corvette 50th Anniversary Edition was limited only by the number of orders for the $5,000 package, a small price to pay for such a fitting tribute to the 50th anniversary of "America's only true sports car."

Prices went up again for 2003, partly due to the birthday trimmings and other added features. The coupe now started at $43,255, the ragtop at $49,700, the Z06 at $50,485. Despite the hikes, sales held steady on model-year production of 36,026, a slim 88-unit gain over the '02 tally.

Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:

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2003 Corvette Specifications

In celebration of its 50th birthday, any 2003 Corvette coupe or convertible could be ordered with the 1SC package that included special anniversary and trim. Oddly, it was not available on the Z06. And as a birthday present to buyers, Corvette made a host of options standard for the 2003 model year. Here are the specifications for the 2003 Corvette:

The 50th Anniversary package for the 2003 Corvette included the new Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension with variable damping shock absorbers.

Mechanical Specifications (2-door hatchback/convertible/coupe)

Suspension
front: Independent; upper and lower A-arms, transverse composite monoleaf spring, tube shock absorbers, antiroll bar
rear: Independent, upper and lower A-arms, toe links, transverse composite monoleaf springs, tube shock absorbers, antiroll bar

Wheels/Tires
front: P245/45ZR-17 (Z06, P265/40ZR-17)
rear: P275/40ZR-18 (Z06, P295/35ZR-18)

Brakes
front: anti-lock 12.6-inch disc
rear: anti-lock 11.6-inch disc

Transmission
4-speed automatic
6-speed manual

Standard axle ratio
2.73:1 (auto) 3.42:1 (manual)

Engine Specifications

Published Performance Numbers

Source: Road & Track

Vehicle Production and Base Prices

Options and Production

Color Choices and Production

Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

• Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.

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