Lest we be accused of favouring the blue oval when it comes to muscle-car stories, here's something special from GM - the 60th Anniversary Corvette.
Actually two somethings, because 2013 will not only mark the sixtieth year of the 'Vette but also the final year of production for the current C6 platform.
So here we have the Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition, which GM is hyping as the fastest ragtop in 'Vette history, with a 21st-century remake of the original big-block Chevy V8, the 427 cubic-inch (seven-litre) engine of the late 1960s.
The 427 Convertible blends elements of the Z06 and ZR1 models, starting with the LS7 engine from the Corvette Z06. Rated at 377kW and 637Nm, GM says it is the most powerful engine ever offered in a production Corvette convertible and, like the Z06, the 427 Convertible is only available with a six-speed manual transmission.
The LS7 was developed alongside the Le Mans-winning GT1 engine, and uses the same lightweight titanium con-rods and intake valves, and dry-sump lubrication.
LS7 engines are all assembled by hand at GM's Performance Build Centre and, if you buy a 427 convertible, for a few dollars more you can go along there and get hands-on building the engine that will go into your car!
The rest of the drivetrain, including the rear xle, cone stright out of the Z06, as do the rear-mounted battery and magnetic selective ride control.
New ZR1 lightweight machine-face Cup rims, introduced in 2011 on performance versions of the ZR1 and Z06, wear 19” front and 20” rear Michelin PS2 gumballs.
The raised bonnet, Z06-style bumpers, floor panels, front splitter and rocker panels are all made of carbon-fibre.
That helps keep kerb weight down to only 1522kg and gives it a power-to-weight ration of 247kW per tonne - better than the Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet (235kW per tonne), Audi R8 5.2 RSI Spyder (235kW per tonne), Aston Martin DBS Volante convertible (207kW per tonne) or Ferrari California convertible (195kW per tonne).
In fact, says GM, it will sprint to 100km.h in 3.8 seconds, dispose of the standing quarter-mile in 11.8, pull lateral acceleration of 1.04 g and a top speed of more than 300km/h.
But wait, as they say, there's more…
All 2013 Corvette models - including the 427 - will be available with a 60th anniversary package, featuring special white paint and blue leather trim with fancy stitching and suede accents. And on convertible models the fabric roof will be blue rather than the usual black.
Special trim will include a ZR1-style rear spoiler, special badges and grey-painted brake callipers. An optional graphics package adds full-length racing stripes in silver-blue, including a silver stripe stitched on to the blue roof of convertible models.
And even if you don't order any anniversary packages, each 2013 'Vette will come with 60th Anniversary badges on the dashboard, centre console, instrument panel and sill plates.