3/21/20 85/100 1997 Chevrolet C5 Corvette

When the new C5 Corvette premiered in 1997 Matchbox went all-out not only creating the new casting, but also creating the First Shots version with a bare metal zamac as the second vehicle and about four or five different Premiere 5-packs with C1-C4 Corvettes joining the new C5 tooling.  For 2000 the Corvette coupe returns to the red seen in the 1997 1-75 release, but with detailed front signal lights next to the grille slots, Corvette badge on the hood just below the twin bumps, the red roof more defined (only the targa bar B-pillar is part of the metal body), and the rear has detailed quad round taillights, reverse lamps, and RB’s Vette on the plate (who is RB?).  On first examples the Matchbox 2000 logo is on the rear window, and later versions sport a new metal base that gives some needed heft to this casting.  Despite some rough corners the casting looks great aside from lack of exterior mirrors, while the interior has detailed seats and 4-spoke steering wheel though the dashboard has no detailed controls.  The base shows off the new drivetrain that places the transmission to the rear axle for better weight distribution.  The coupe would continue for a few years, though joined by a new convertible in 2001 that has a few flaws itself; both would be saturated with graphics at some point, so expect these earlier and premiere releases to be the best of the bunch (speaking of which, the premiere series also released a sharper new C5 Corvette with opening hood that only lasted for the 2000 year).

Specifications:

· Engine: 5.7L V8 350 hp. est.

· Transmission: 6-speed manual

· 0-60 mph: 4.5 sec.

· Real vehicle price: $40,000 est. 1999

Rating:  4 out of 5 stars