About 1,000 Corvette enthusiasts got a sneak peak at the 50th Anniversary Corvette on Saturday at the National Corvette Museum.

The showing was part of this weekends C-5 Birthday Bash, which is organized by owners of the fifth generation Corvette. The Web-based car club boasts over 6,000 members worldwide.

It was very fitting that we have the first showing of the 50th here today, said David Hill, Corvette chief engineer. Theyre some of our most enthusiastic customers.

This thing has really grown by leaps and bounds, said Wil Cooksey, Corvette plant manager. Its all about the car and the fun they have with it.

Hill said the 50th edition of the car shows the continuity General Motors has put into the Corvette.

Its been steadily a true sports car, Hill said.

He said Corvette enthusiasts have been waiting for this edition.

Its a great day for us, Hill said.

In its 50 years, the Corvette has become an international competitor in the sports car market.

The Corvette thats produced here in Bowling Green is truly a world product, Hill said.

He is proud so many people have fallen in love with the Corvette.

Its been a great turnout, Hill said. People are having a ball in Bowling Green.

The C-5 group travels to several events where the Corvette is featured, including France, where the Corvette won the 24 Hours of LeMans race last summer.

These enthusiasts are always doing things above and beyond your expectations, Cooksey said.

He said they lined up around the assembly plant once and met the workers, shaking hands and giving out gifts, as a thanks for building the Corvette.

For the new edition, the paint was upgraded to a unique kind which sparkles more in the sunlight. The interior is more upscale, warm and inviting with the 50th anniversary logo embroidered into the seats and carpeting. The suspension is all new also, with a computer that reads performance and reacts instantly.

This suspension is definitely a cut above, Cooksey said. It gives you a much smoother ride.

Cooksey said the horse power remained about the same.

We just wanted to tweak what we already had, Cooksey said. We think we have a great Corvette.

The 50th Anniversary edition will begin production in June.