C8 Corvette Convertible Splashes Down at Kennedy Space Center
Latest version of the all-new, mid-engine Corvette drops the hardtop to bask in the Floridian cool night air at its world debut.
One thing has always been certain since 1953: the Corvette would always have a way for you to drop its top to bask in the rays of the sun above. The first generation of America’s sports car was solely a drop-top, while the rest had one available to go with the coupe model, either at the very start, or — as was the case with the C4 era — a little later into the car’s current incarnation.
And just because the newest Corvette now has the engine behind the cabin, it doesn’t mean it still can’t drop the top all the way down. LS1Tech landed in Florida to capture the new C8 era convertible, which made its world-debut splashdown before the gathered press October 2 at the Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The C8 Corvette convertible’s debut continues the theme of the car’s association with all things space, a theme used for the new generation’s world debut July 18 in Los Angeles, set around the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. Astronauts have been in Corvettes since 1959, when the first American in space, Alan Shepard pulled into training in a ’57 Corvette, then was given the keys to a new Corvette in 1962 by General Motors following the grand feat.
Since then, astronauts like Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Charles Conrad, and Alan Bean have chosen the Corvette as their ride of choice back on Earth. According to Hot Rod, one GM dealer, Jim Rathmann, who had a Cadillac and Corvette dealership near Kennedy Space Center, offered the aforementioned astronauts and many others involved in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions a $1 annual lease deal, where the space travellers could outfit their Corvette as they saw fit.
Just like the targa-top coupe, the new C8 Corvette convertible comes with the all-new LT2 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 plus an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic placed between the cabin and rear axle. And like the coupe, there are three base trim levels available, plus an additional boost in performance with the Z51 Performance Package.
The only difference now is the convertible loses the fastback and targa roof, exchanging both for a retractable hard top with a pair of flying buttresses. The buttresses not only keep the styling sporty for the Corvette, but also serve as the hiding place for the retractable top — a first for America’s sports car — when the sun comes calling.
The public will have a chance to look at the new C8 Corvette convertible October 3, in between visiting the gift shop for freeze-dried ice cream, and bus tours of the behind-the-scenes areas of America’s Spaceport. Showrooms will see them shortly after the start of 2020.
Photos for LS1-Tech by David Ciminelli