The One and Only 2005 Corvette Built in Torch Red




In the past, a lot of people have wondered why Torch Red was never offered on the 2005 C6 Corvette. Magnetic and Precision Red were offered as replacement colors for Torch Red beginning with the 2005 model year.

The Corvette Brand Team believed that Torch Red was too as garish for the C6 and that Magnetic Red Metallic and Precision Red would give the C6 a much more classy look. Then Plant Manager, Wil Cooksey and GM Vice President, Joe Spielman did not agree with this decision. On June 25, 2004 a single C6 Corvette (VIN:  1G1YY24U855100273) was painted the same Torch Red (RPO 70U) (as was used on the C5) by the factory and shipped to Detroit, MI for color evaluation.

GM Vice President, Joe Spielman presented this Torch Red C6 to GM Executives and students from the Kettering University. Everyone agreed that Torch Red was a great color for the C6 Corvette. However, since Torch Red has been officially discontinued after the 2004 model year, it was decided that Victory Red would be used in its place. This one and only Torch Red C6 Corvette is now on display at the National Corvette Museum.

This letter of authenticity was penned by Corvette Plant Manager Wil Cooksey and GM Vice President Joe Spielman. The history of this special Corvette is detailed in this letter.

The story behind the Torch Red 2005 Corvette