Guy Fieri's Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition debuts at SEMA

Food Network star of the show Diners’ Drive-Ins and Dives is a hardcore Chevy fan with a history of owning Bowtie clad performance models but at the 2012 SEMA Show, Fieri and Chevrolet Performance introduced the Guy Fieri Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition – an open aired sports car with the power of the Corvette Z06.

The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is powered by a 427 cubic inch V8 that churns out 505 horsepower and 470lb-ft of torque. General Motors does not offer this engine in any standard production Corvette Convertible, leaving the 436 horsepower Corvette Grand Sport as the most powerful open air Vette but for an enthusiast (and wealthy celebrity) like Guy Fieri and an event like the 2012 SEMA Show – GM made an exception. The result is the Guy Fieri Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition which packs that same 505hp LS7 V8 from the Z06 equipped with a dry sump oiling system and much like the Z06, Guy’s special Corvette features a proper 6-speed manual transmission. This one-off Corvette 427 Convertible features the braking package from the Corvette Z06 with 6 piston front calipers and 4 piston units out back; all of which clamp down on huge cross drilled rotors. Next, the Chevrolet Performance crew added the Magnetic Selective Ride Control system from the Corvette ZR1 supercar and the optional lightweight cup wheels measuring 19 inches up front and 20 inches out back…all of which are wrapped in high performance Michelin PS2 tires.

On the outside, the Guy Fieri Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition features a black paint scheme with yellow stripes which happens to be the polar opposite of the yellow with black stripe design found on Guy’s 1968 and 2011 Camaro SS Convertibles. Under this paint is a variety of lightweight carbon fiber body panels including the hood, fenders, front splitter and rockers to help pull down the weight of the reinforced chassis. Finally, this unique Corvette 427 Convertible features special fender logos sporting Fieri’s brand name Knuckle Sandwich and the same skull that is inked on Guy’s upper arm.

Inside, the Guy Fieri Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition offers the sport seats wrapped in a black on black leather and suede package with leather bolsters and suede center sections. There is more black leather on the center console, on the door panels and dash with yellow contrasting stitching everywhere to tie in the interior and exterior design schemes. The same Knuckle Sandwich logo found on the front fenders is embroidered on the headrests while current Chevrolet Accessories items including a windscreen, pedal covers, 60th anniversary floor mats, a 60th anniversary trunk mat and a uniquely embroidered 60th anniversary leather console lid finish off the interior upgrades.

The Guy Fieri Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition looks fantastic and while this high performance rag top package isn't likely to see production before production of the C6 Corvette comes to an end later this year, it still makes for one awesome piece of eye candy for GM and general high performance enthusiasts alike at the sprawling SEMA Show.

Oddly, Guy Fieri’s big block powered 2013 Chevy Corvette Convertible was the only Corvette in the company’s massive 2012 SEMA Show display but it did help draw show goers over to the area where tens of thousands of people were formally introduced to the new LT1 V8 that will power the 2014 C7 Corvette.

Click any thumbnail above on the right to check out our full gallery of Guy Fieri’s Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition. We have also thrown in a shot of the new LT1 – just because. The large image above shows Guy Fieri being driven into a private preview event held ahead of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.