“Commemorative” Edition Corvette Uses C1 Style on C5, But Why?

Would you rather have a C1-style C5 or a stock C1?

One conundrum that often comes across the desks at Corvette Forum is Corvettes that are modified to look like other era Corvettes. As such, this C1 style C5 is the most recent example. Advanced Automotive Technologies performed the conversion, dubbed a “Commemorative” edition. Starting with a C5, the entire body is unbolted and new skin put back on.

AAT created the Commemorative Edition in 2002 to mark the Corvette’s 50th anniversary. This is why it uses early 1953 C1 style styling cues. There have been conversions that evoke the side scallops of later C1 Corvettes, but those are eschewed in favor of the long chrome strip from the front flank down the side of the door. AAT also converted the headlights from the flip-up style to fixed and recessed behind grates. Keen eyes will spot those headlights are actually from a 993 generation Porsche 911.

The conversion looks to be well-executed, so we have to give credit where it is due. Modified components extend beyond just the fenders, with the hood, trunk lid and whole back-half being replaced. The exterior color is matched by similar color leather inside. A gold center console plaque denotes this is build number 162. Other interior components seem to be standard fare, but low mileage makes the interior as spotless and clean as the exterior.

If you’re counting on additional performance, check elsewhere. Although we’ve heard of AAT conversions on Z06 models, this one appears to be a Z51. To make up for it, the driving experience would still be fun with a 6-speed manual.

That does essentially fly in the face of the point of this car, however. It’s more of a cruiser instead of meant to go fast. That’s why we don’t understand it. The Corvette had evolved from a rather mild 6-cylinder automatic cruiser into true performance cars. Why hark back to a time when the Corvette wasn’t at its best? Why add acres of chrome to a car that never had any to start with? It befuddles us.

For us, we’d rather see a Corvette modified for performance. The Corvettes that can rocket down the drag strip are far more our style. Plenty of performance-oriented Corvettes can be found on our forum. There’s also no arguing with a time slip or a lap time. As they say, all race cars can be a show car, but not all show cars can be a race car. A racecar this is not.

Taking a look at the cost of this AAT converted Corvette also reveals another problem. You could essentially get a well-sorted C1 for about the same price. It might not have the same daily driver comfort as the conversion, but would you really drive this C5 every day? To each their own, but if you ask us, we’d rather have a C1 from the start.

That said, if you like the looks of this conversion, it’s currently for sale at Fast Lane Classic Cars, Inc. in St Charles, Missouri.

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Photos: Fast Lane Classic Cars, Inc.

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