It suits a couple, or a small crew as long as only the driver and one other person need to be in the car. It is the only American sports car Masons offers for premium car hire and the only one with a removable targa roof panel: roof on in the morning, sky overhead in the afternoon. An eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox does the shifting, so there is no clutch pedal to master and Prague traffic jams are no chore.

What the Corvette C8 is good for

The most common reason is a photo shoot. A photographer with a model, or a musician with a camera operator, takes the car for a full day: out of Prague in the morning, two or three locations around midday, back after sunset. The white bodywork throws back a lot of glare in harsh midday sun, so the best shots come in the morning, in the evening or under cloud. Put tripods, lights and other kit in a second car; the Corvette only takes two people and a few bags.

The second scenario is a birthday or anniversary gift for a partner, father or friend. We deliver the car at an agreed time to a home, hotel or restaurant in Prague, so the surprise starts at the door. The recipient does the driving, so they need a valid licence and must meet the hire conditions. For weekends from May to September, book well ahead.

The third option is a weekend for two: pick-up on Friday afternoon, a day out with lunch outdoors on Saturday, return on Sunday. That works for two people travelling light; just do not count on fitting a large hard-shell suitcase.

In practice: seats, luggage and drive

Inside are two heated and ventilated seats, welcome in a hot summer car park and on a cold morning. The head-up display shows speed and navigation in front of the driver, your phone connects via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and a Bose system plays the music. Luggage goes into two small compartments, front and rear, best filled with soft bags. The removed roof panel stows in the rear one, so with the roof off most of your things go in the front.

The naturally aspirated 6.2-litre petrol V8 sits mid-car and drives the rear wheels only. In the dry that is no concern; on wet or cold tarmac, feed in the throttle gradually. It is not a car for winter trips. The Corvette is low and wide: for garage ramps, speed bumps and high kerbs, a front lift system raises the nose at the press of a button. Prague's blue zones allow limited paid visitor parking; check the sign and time limit and pay online. For longer stays, choose a suitable garage or P+R car park. The big engine has a matching appetite, so plan a fuel stop on longer drives.

Where to take the Corvette C8 from Prague

The nearest striking backdrop for a shoot is the Bohemian Karst (Český kras). Take the D5 motorway towards Plzeň, leave it at Loděnice and follow local roads to the Velká Amerika quarry near Mořina, about 40 minutes in all. Leave the car in a marked car park nearby; a marked hiking trail leads to viewpoints above the flooded pit, and entering the quarry itself is prohibited. For shots with the car, the surroundings work better: fields, limestone slopes and narrow roads towards Koněprusy, about a quarter of an hour away. The Koněprusy Caves (Koněpruské jeskyně) have a car park and seasonal guided tours, a good stop while you wait for the light to change. It is an outing that suits the Corvette: a short drive out, leaving more time for photos than for driving. Set off early; weekend afternoons at the quarry are busy.

Corvette C8 or Porsche 718 Cayman GT4?

Both cars have two seats, a mid-mounted engine and two small luggage compartments, but they suit different days. Take the Corvette for photos, a gift or a comfortable weekend for two: the automatic gearbox, ventilated seats, removable roof and front lift make it easy to drive calmly through Prague too. The Cayman GT4 is for someone who mainly wants to drive: a six-speed manual, firmer suspension and an early-morning run on empty back roads. Its yellow paint and rear wing stand out in photos too, but it takes more effort in traffic and on cobbles.