The 427 Returns, in the Form of a Very Red Corvette with Decals

What's so special about a special edition Corvette Z06? You could argue that it doesn't have to be much, given that the Z06 is already a starkly wonderful piece of machinery. But 'Vette fans don't want their 'Vette to be so much like your 'Vette, you see--which is why Chevy's producing a limited run of Z06s with some cosmetic touches meant to hark back to the days of the big-block 427.

The new 427 Limited Edition Z06 pays homage to that big-block 427--otherwise known as the engine that gave the Corvette its performance cojones in the 1960s. Each one will get a dose of that special paint, along with hood graphics like those on the '67 'Vette, special chrome wheels, a rear spoiler and a distinct interior with new 427 badges.

The new edition also is numbered and signed by Wil Cooksey, the manager of the Corvette assembly plant who is retiring after 15 years at the Bowling Green, Ky., plant.

The new special edition took a bow at the Cleveland auto show (hello, Cleveland!), with word that only 505 copies would be made. Out of that total, just 427 copies will be sold in the U.S. and Canada. Each one will retail for an astonishing $84,195 in U.S. dollars, with every possible option other than navigation built in (the nav's a $1750 option).

Chevy reminds us this is the second limited-edition Corvette thus far in 2008, which means that by December, we'll probably have another 10 new versions to tell you all about.