A Happy Anniversary: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Centennial

04-10-2011 • Matt DeLorenzo via Road & Track

Racing and street Corvettes have been carrying the little skull symbol nicknamed Jake, which was created by the badboyvettes.com website. Now comes another special edition Corvette, but instead of Jake, look for Louis. As in Louis Chevrolet. His goggled visage adorns the B-pillar of this limited run Corvette that marks the division’s 100th birthday.

The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Centennial Edition package is available on all models, Grand Sport, Z06 and ZR1 beginning this summer. It's no coincidence that the car is being launched about the time of the 100th anniversary of the first running of the Indy 500, a race in which Louis competed but never won, although his brother Gaston, won in 1920 before being tragically killed the following October at a board track race in Beverly Hills, California.

“Racing and performance are the roots of Chevrolet, a tradition carried forward by today’s Corvette,” said Rick Scheidt, the division’s vice president of marketing. “The Centennial Edition not only celebrates our 100 years, it once again pushes Corvette forward for a new generation of sports car fans.”

The first of these limited edition cars, the 100th 2012 Corvette off the assembly line with a VIN ending in 0100 will be auctioned April 9, 2011 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in West Palm Beach, Fla., with the proceeds to benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. The car includes the high performance Z07 package that features Brembo carbon ceramic brakes and Magnetic ride control. It is also equipped with the CFZ carbon package that includes raised carbon fiber hood, sill extensions, front splitter and roof.

Sinister Looks, Serious Performance

The Centennial Edition comes in one color, Carbon Flash Metallic, with satin-black graphics, satin black wheels and red brake calipers giving the car a sinister look. The wheels themselves are lightweight cast spun alloys with a thin red outline around the perimeter. Base coupe, convertible and Grand Sport models are equipped with 18-in. front and 19-in. rear wheels, while the Z06 and ZR1 have 19-in. front and 20-in. rear wheels.