To mark Corvette’s 50th anniversary in 2003, Chevrolet released a special edition that celebrated the C5’s success in redefining American performance. All 2003 models wore 50th anniversary badges, with most also featuring the logo inside. Standard features expanded to include leather power seats, fog lamps, dual-zone climate control, and more.
The $5,000 50th Anniversary Package offered striking Anniversary Red paint, Champagne wheels, and a Shale interior—the first C5 without a black dash. Extras included embroidered logos, a Shale convertible top, and premium features like Magnetic Ride Control, head-up display, and electrochromic mirrors, making it a standout among C5s.
While the factory 50th Anniversary Corvette impressed many, some fans wanted something more special. Believing the 50th Anniversary car should have more impact, Corvette legend Dick Guldstrand—renowned racer and tuner, created the Guldstrand 50, his final custom Corvette, and of them is currently up for sale on Bring a Trailer.
The 2003 Guldstrand Signature Edition Corvette was a rare and costly upgrade, priced at $49,330 on top of the base cost of a 2003 Corvette Z06. This particular car is believed to be the very first prototype, customized and owned by legendary racer and tuner Dick Guldstrand to commemorate the Corvette’s 50th anniversary.
It features a unique Anniversary Gold and Cobalt Blue paint scheme and a variety of custom exterior components, including a vented power-dome hood, side sill extensions, rear winglets, Euro-style amber taillights, polished quad exhaust tips, a short antenna, special badging, and a rear fascia with an integrated spoiler. The car rides on gold Fikse wheels—18 inches in the front and 19 in the rear—wrapped in Nitto Invo performance tires. Suspension upgrades include a lowered stance and Guldstrand-designed sway bars and links.
The interior boasts gold leather and blue suede-trimmed seats and accents, plus modern amenities like a head-up display, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, and a Bose audio system. A dashboard plaque identifies it as #01 of just 50 produced. Under the hood, a Katech-built 427ci V8 engine paired to a six-speed manual gearbox delivers 500 horsepower and 520 lb-ft of torque, thanks to forged internals, ported heads, and a custom camshaft.
Source: Bring a Trailer
