Costa Mesa, CA – The annual SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show is a great excuse to spend a few days in Las Vegas, to catch up with friends from across the country and see some really cool and innovative products and project cars.  It’s also a great excuse for another road trip, at least from here in Southern California.  About a 4 hour drive that takes you through the mountains and the desert and drops you in the heart of Sin City.
                When I asked our good friends at GM if they had any press cars available that week the choices were slim, well actually, there was no choice, a Jet Stream Blue Corvette Convertible was all that was available.  I couldn’t spit the words, OK how soon can I have it, out of my mouth fast enough.
                If you are a regular reader of this column you’ll recall my review of the Corvette Z06 a couple of months ago.  I loved the car and all of its capabilities.  It is a lot of car for the money and can hold its own against just about any other performance car out there.  This convertible has only; yes only, 436 horses versus the 505 horses of the Z06.  Fear not my friends that is plenty of power for just about any sane person.
                  This particular Vette had the optional Dual Mode Exhaust which adds 6 extra horses to the 6.2L V-8 LS3 engine.  Without this option the engine twists out 430 HP and 424 lb-ft torque, with this option you get the aforementioned 436 HP and a few more lb-ft of torque at 428.  Mash the go pedal and hold on, you’re not just going forward fast you are being propelled like a shell out of a cannon.
                GM claims that this LS3 engine, mated to the six-speed paddle shift automatic transmission, is the fastest (0-60 in 4.3 seconds) Corvette to date with any sort of automatic slush box.  I have no reason to doubt that from my time spent with the car.
                Operation of the convertible top was a breeze.  The car has to be in park (with this automatic transmission), the hand brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal.  Simply unlatch the top from the headliner with one hand and then push the button on the dash to the left of the steering wheel.  Everything else is automatic.  The top motors rearward as the boot cover rises and it packs itself into the storage area and the boot closes automatically.  I did not time it but all happens in just a few seconds.
              Wind noise at speed with the top up was minimal.  You know you’re not in a fixed roof car

but talking on a cell phone was no problem and a conversation with a passenger can be had without raising your voice.  But who buys a convertible to drive it with the top up anyway?  With the top down and the windows up there is some wind that gets into the cabin, a wind blocker would be a good idea but no sure how it would be packaged.
                The list of  standard equipment on the Corvette is long, the premium package or 4LT in GM speak adds another long list to that total of stuff.  Some of the most noteworthy is the 6-disc CD in dash changer with the premium Bose 7 speaker sound system.  Simply put – it rocks, top up or down makes no difference.  Leather seating with perforated leather inserts on the heated and 6 way power adjustable driver and passenger seats with memory function in case the valet at your favorite restaurant moves your throne.  Heads-up display and power tilt and telescoping leather wrapped steering wheel with radio and Bluetooth functions at your fingertips.  4LT contains much more and is a $10,050.00 option package.
                The remainder of the $69,480.00 sticker for this Corvette (base price for this car was $51,700) was the Magnetic Selective Ride Control which allows you, via a dial on the central dash, to choose between Touring and Sport settings for the suspension and larger cross-drilled brake rotors.  Polished aluminum wheels and huge P285/35ZR19 tires out back and P245/40ZR18’s up front.  The already mentioned Dual-Mode Exhaust and Automatic 6-Speed Paddle Shift Transmission.  Yes the Jet Stream Blue Metallic paint job costs extra too but the black convertible top is included!
                The MPG this Corvette returned to me was very respectable.  Granted 547 of the total 595 miles I put on it were all highway to and from Vegas.  EPA Estimates are 15 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway but then again just as no one buys a convertible to keep the top up, no one buys a Corvette for great gas mileage.
                So what do you buy a Corvette for?  One hell of a performance bargain, that’s what.  Forget about the mid-life crisis stigma.  Go buy a Corvette and a Gold Chain and be happy.  Be very, very happy. You’ll have one hell of a car. 

Column and photos provided by Rich Branch, EVP of Race Central TV and Radio Network Partners.