National Corvette Museum’s effort to remove the eight cars swallowed by a sinkhole last month got off to a triumphant start: The 2009 Corvette ZR1 “Blue Devil” pulled from the hole earlier this week drove away from the scene of the disaster under its …
ASSOCIATE EDITOR GRAHAM KOZAK: I don’t think many people have really been sure what to… more Car Reviews >>. PHOTOSmore >> · 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk review notes. VIDEOSmore >> · Racing. RACING BY SERIES. NASCAR · INDYCAR …
Get more car news, reviews and opinion every day: Sign up to have the Autoweek Daily Drive delivered right to your inbox.
“Sad” is the only way to describe this once beautiful machine. I’ve seen this beauties many times during my visits to the museum (except the Blue Devil) that were or are in the sinkhole.
PPG Pace Car
This was a very unique vehicle. As you can see it was crushed with a slap of concrete. I think I read where one of the workers said it was “karate chopped”.
PPG Pace Car
Of all the damaged Vettes this one might just be the most impressive if they can restore it!!!!
“Initially there was no intention to bring the Millionth out, but as we got in there and saw more this morning we did feel like this might be our best chance,” said Danny Daniel, President of Scott, Murphy and Daniel Construction.
Danny indicated that they pulled the car by one wheel from where it was lodged and it swung free into the cavern. They were then able to lift the car and place it to rest, upside down on the bottom of the sinkhole. Finally, the Corvette was hooked up by its two tires for final lifting out of the sinkhole, much like the process to retrieve the 1993 40th Anniversary.
“Went like a champ, we were tickled to death,” added Daniel.
“The Millionth Corvette has been through a lot, but the damage at first glance seems to be less extensive than what it could have been, especially given the precarious spot the car landed,” said Bob Hellmann, Facilities and Displays Manager at the Museum. “The undercarriage and frame look to be in good condition and everything is repairable.”
The Millionth Corvette was built at 2:00pm on July 2, 1992 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Just like the first 1953 Corvettes, it bears a white exterior, red interior and is a convertible. The car was donated to the Corvette Museum by General Motors. In a press release from 1991, Jim Perkins, General Manager for Chevrolet at the time, said “We’ve been looking for a way to support the goals of the museum, which are to enshrine a great car and the great people who made it an American institution.” This donation came two years before the museum that exists today had opened its doors.
She looks a little rough to me.
I have to take a minute to give job well done to the crew working the rescue. Lots of people appreciate their efforts. I having pulled a RV from a 100 ravine with a tow truck, it’s nerve racking job….these guys are pros.
Thought I’d share this article from Car and Driver.
My first car was a convertible – 1966 Impala. It was given to me in 1976 when I graduated high school. I lived in upstate New York and being young I could squeeze out a good 5 months of top down. But speeds were slower then and gas was cheap so cruising wasn’t half your paycheck and you could still hear the stereo. But when it got down to the middle up winter in the Adirondacks, nothing stopped the code from getting in and you sure could tell how light the car was when you had to drive on snow and ice.
My next convertible was my 1984 Corvette, of course wasn’t really a rag top but a targa top, which is a perfect alternative to a folding cloth top and much better than a mere sun roof. But I know live a weather environment 180o from where I had my first convertible. Here in southern Arizona you can maybe squeeze out 5 months where it’s great to run with the roof off without melting like a carton of gelato in a microwave oven or freezing your assets off when it 29o – Yeah it gets that could here! However, depending on how sensitive to hot and cold you are and whether you mind lifting the lifting the top out of the rear cargo area you in the summer time often start out the morning with the top in the back and pop it on when the temp climbs past your liking. EXTRA BONUS – it keeps the cool air in 90% better than the cloth top. I enjoy by C6 topless.
Oh, as a side note the C4 top was a pain to remove – the C6 much easier to remove and replace!!!
The thing about attending regional car shows in your region is there’ a very good chance that you are going to run some of the same cars, even in a show as big as this one. Oh..don’t get me wrong I love looking at them but writing about the same cars is not very rewarding. So I’m going to show you some of the cars I really enjoyed.
Of course I’m always drawn to the Vettes.
Maybe something in Satin?
Or maybe something with a bit of a sting-er
Or how about an Anniversary Grand Sport!!!
And this one made me miss my old C4.
Lots more to come from the Tucson Classic car show – including – dashes and one particularly rare and extremely AWESOME car!! (Oh..and it’s not a Corvette!!!)
Corvettes at Carlisle. (8/26/2011 — 8/28/2011 ) Carlisle Events (717) 243-7855 1000 Bryn Mawr Road Carlisle, PA 17013 USA www.carlisleevents.com. Show Details One of the largest and most fun-filled Corvette events in the world, the …
I kid you not…this is one of the most enjoyable car shows. You get to park your classic, muscle, racer, import or special purpose vehicle on the grass (yeah…lots of it) – no nasty dirt or melting tar parking areas. Grab that blanket out your trunk and spread out under a tree and enjoy!!!!
Oh….did I mention that for $5.00 you get into the show and you get a change to win this!!!!!
If you’ve read my posting for a while you’ll recall my trips to the great state of Kentucky and my trips to the place the worlds most recognizable car is assembled.
Yes I’ve taken the Corvette assembly plant tour more times than anyone I know, hell when I retired I’m going to volunteer to work the tour route in the plant. I love Bowling Green!!!!
The last time I visited they were building out the plant for the Chevy Volt and working on the new section for the C7 Corvette. These upgrades mean more work for the plant and those doing “God’s work” (LOL).
Well there is more. Corvette has had a program where the an soon to be owner of a new Corvette can pay to build the engine for his car in the Performance Build Center (http://corvetteblock.com/2011/11/performance-build-center-open-house/). That may be the coolest idea I’ve heard. Well this program is being moved from Michigan to the Bowling Green assembly plant.
I think that is great news!!!! You an build your engine, watch it installed in your car and drive it out of the factor!!!!!
1,000,000 Corvette was pulled from the sinkhole at the Corvette Museum today.
