Thank you, CorvSport readers, for joining us in the final episode as we take a deeper look into the Anniversary Edition market. In part one of “The State of the Market,” we examined the market for the very first Anniversary Edition, the 1978 Silver Anniversary Coupe, and the 1988 35th Anniversary Edition Coupe. It was a compelling snapshot of the market since 2015. If you missed it or need a refresher, click here. In part two, we looked at the 40th and 50th Anniversary Editions, and here is a direct link if you missed it.
How significant are the Anniversary Edition Corvettes? As the Corvette brand transitioned from uncertainty to America’s Sports Car, our founder and contributor Scott Kolecki captured what these Anniversary Edition Corvettes meant to our community best when he wrote:
“Although there was a lot of uncertainty about the Corvette’s long-term viability in its early days, the public’s perception of the brand had changed radically by the late 1970s. The Corvette, which was now commonly referred to as “America’s Sports Car,” had gained traction with consumers across North America. It had become known as the car driven by astronauts, celebrities, and people of influence. It had appeared in movies, television programs, and in the lyrics of dozens of songs. Simply – but accurately – put, the Corvette was now synonymous with American culture, and it was a car that countless millions, both young and old, aspired to own. Recognizing Corvette’s success in the marketplace, it was decided that Chevrolet would begin introducing special “Anniversary Editions” of the Corvette, starting in 1978 – the year the brand celebrated its 25th (silver) anniversary.” Read More Here
A Quick Review of Our Methodology
Trying to determine a Corvette’s value can be daunting, and it’s certainly not an exact science. The self-elected market experts on social media will have you think otherwise, as not one day goes by when a group of enthusiasts doesn’t proclaim that an asking price is too high (this was especially prevalent when Corvette prices began to escalate exponentially heading into 2020).
But, at the end of the day, “comps” (i.e., previous sales) are the best measure of the market value at any given time, so we will use the top auction platforms to gather our market snapshots–Mecum, Barrett-Jackson, and Bring a Trailer. While not all of these auctions will be used for each Anniversary Edition, we will select the platform that is most representative of each period in history (and eliminate pricing anomalies). We also strived to select examples from each time period that were close in condition, miles, and provenance.
Now, let’s dive into part three of CorvSport’s special Anniversary Edition market analysis!
1) The 2013 60th Anniversary Edition Corvette
Introduction
“The arrival of the Corvette’s 60th Anniversary coincided with the departure of the sixth-generation Corvette. The 2013 model year would mark the final year of the C6’s production, so Chevrolet decided that their halo car should once more receive a special anniversary package – only this time they also introduced a commemorative 427 Convertible Collector Edition that was more than just another pretty face. The 60th Anniversary Package (RPO Z25) was offered on all Corvette models, including the new 427 convertibles.
All Corvettes equipped with the “60th Anniversary” package came finished in an Arctic White exterior with a Blue Diamond leather-wrapped interior with suede accents. Convertible models were also equipped with a blue soft top. All variants of the car also came equipped with a ZR1-style rear spoiler, special 60th-anniversary badging, gray-painted brake calipers, and the “60th” logo featured on the wheel center caps, the center of the steering wheel and embroidered into the car’s headrests. An optional graphics package (RPO Z30), when so ordered, fitted the car with Pearl Silver Blue full-length racing stripes and, for the convertibles, a tonal stripe stitched into the convertible top that extended the graphic theme over the retractable roof…” Continue Reading
2013 60th Anniversary Edition Market Values Over The Years
A) This Year:
- Sales Price: $115,500 *427
- Date of Sale: 1/05/2024
- 4,897 miles
- 427/505 HP LS7 V-8 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission
- No. 825 of 2,552 427 Collector Edition Convertible models made in Arctic White for 2013
- See more pictures and information directly at Mecum.com
B) Quadruple 2024 Snapshot from Bring a Trailer:
- [8/24/2024] $62,500 *427
- [8/17/2024] $78,000 *427
- [6/22/2024] $127,000 *ZR1
- [5/25/2024] Bid to $58,000 (No-Sale) *427
- Click here to do your own custom search at BringaTrailer.com
C) Top Three Snapshot From Mecum:
- [5/17/2024] $132,000 *ZR1
- [1/05/2024] $126,500 *ZR1
- [1/13/2023] $96,250 *427
- Click here to do your own custom search at Mecum.com
D) 2020, As The Craziness Began:
- Sales Price: $67,500 *ZR1
- Date of Sale: 10/05/2020
- Supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 V8 with 6-speed manual transmission
- One of 138 w/60th Anniversary Design Package
- Clean no-accident Carfax with an original MSRP of $126,895
- See more pictures and information directly at BringaTrailer.com
E) Five+ Years Ago:
- Sales Price: $74,800 *427
- Date of Sale: 5/18/2017
- 7.0/505 HP LS7 engine
- 187 original miles
- Plastic still affixed to floor mats, steering wheel and armrests
- See more pictures and information directly at Mecum.com
2013 60th Anniversary Edition Market Trend Summary
- [8/24/2024] $62,500 *427
- [8/17/2024] $78,000 *427
- [6/22/2024] $127,000 *ZR1
- [5/17/2024] $132,000 *ZR1
- [1/05/2024] $126,500 *ZR1
- [1/05/2024] $115,500 *427
- [1/13/2023] $96,250 *427
- [10/05/2020] $67,500 *ZR1
- [5/18/2017] $74,800 *427
2) The 2023 70th Anniversary Edition Corvette
Introduction
“In April 2022, at the National Corvette Museum’s annual “Corvette Bash”, Chevrolet unveiled their “70th Anniversary Edition” Corvette packages alongside the all-new mid-engine Z06 coupe and convertible. The 70th-Anniversary package, which could be ordered on a coupe, convertible, or Z06 package, offered consumers the option of having their Corvette finished in one of two, new colors – White Pearl Metallic Tricoat or Carbon Flash Metallic. Consumers also had the option of adding optional striping in either a Satin Gray (on the Pearl White) or a Satin Black (on the Carbon Flash).
In addition to the custom paint schemes, the cars each came fitted with special “70th Anniversary Edition” exterior badging which included special Corvette cross flags, Edge Red brake calipers, unique rear bumper protectors and trunk cover, custom wheels (these vary based on model) in a dark finish and adorned with an Edge Red pinstripe around their perimeter, and commemorative wheel center caps. Inside the car’s cockpit, each “70th Anniversary Edition” Corvette was fitted with two-tone Ceramic leather GT2 or Competition Sport seats, with red stitching throughout, red seatbelts, suede microfiber seat inserts, a microfiber wrapped steering wheel, and 70th Anniversary Edition branding on the steering wheel, sill plates and embroidered on the seat headrests. Each “70th Anniversary Edition” Corvette also came equipped with a matching, custom luggage set badged with the “70th Anniversary” logo…” Continue Reading
2023 70th Anniversary Edition Market Values
A) This Year:
- Sales Price: $192,500 *Z06
- Date of Sale: 1/26/2024
- 13 actual miles
- Powered by the naturally aspirated 5.5-liter LT6 V8 engine
- The vehicle’s in-service date is beyond the 6-month restriction from GM and will retain its transferable factory warranty
- See more pictures and information directly at Barrett-Jackson.com
B) Quadruple 2024 Snapshot from Bring a Trailer:
- [8/23/2024] $173,000 *Z06
- [8/16/2024] $84,000 *3LT Z51
- [8/09/2024] $155,000 *Z06
- [8/03/2024] $122,000 *Z06
- Click here to do your own custom search at BringaTrailer.com
C) The Top Three All-Time Sales From Mecum:
- [4/01/2023] $302,500 *Z06
- [7/08/2023] $231,000 *Z06
- [10/15/2022] $159,500 *3LT
- Click here to do your own custom search at Mecum.com
D) 2022:
- Sales Price: $120,000 *3LT Z51
- Date of Sale: 12/27/2022
- Powered by a 495 HP 6.2-liter LT2 V8 paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transaxle
- 3LT premium equipment group with Z51 performance package
- Only 5 miles!
- See more pictures and information directly at Bring a Trailer.com
2023 70th Anniversary Edition Market Trend Summary
- [8/23/2024] $173,000 *Z06
- [8/16/2024] $84,000 *3LT Z51
- [8/09/2024] $155,000 *Z06
- [8/03/2024] $122,000 *Z06
- [1/26/2024] $192,500 *Z06
- [7/08/2023] $231,000 *Z06
- [4/01/2023] $302,500 *Z06
- [12/27/2022] $120,000 *3LT Z51
- [10/15/2022] $159,500 *3LT
Thanks again for joining CorvSport on our last trip down Anniversary Lane. Did any of the market trends surprise you? As you can see, the 70th Anniversary sales prices have been all over the map! If you want to keep up to date with all the fresh Corvette news and maintain a pulse on the lifestyle and culture of this exciting, iconic brand, CorvSport has the fastest-growing Corvette community on our Facebook page, with over 171,000 followers (52,000 since January 2023!). Come join other hardcore enthusiasts and say hello, Douglas B.