The National Corvette Museum: Dedicated to the True American Sports Car

In 1984, Terry McManmon of The National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS), dreamed up the idea of opening a central Corvette library and archives, meant for people restoring their Corvettes, to conduct research. Countless hours of hard work, $15 million, and a decade of time passing, and the National Corvette Museum was opened in Bowling Green, KY.

Although popular towns across America were under consideration, Bowling Green, KY, seemed liked the obvious choice. The Bowling Green Assembly Plant, where all Corvettes are "born," is located just across the street. The fact that this already draws tourists to take plant tours, along with 30 acres of donated land off of Interstate 65, and road and utility improvements, compliments of the State of Kentucky, housing the Museum there was a no brainer.

Known for it's award-winning architecture, the 68,000 square-feet Museum was built to be noticed from the highway. The gray portion of the building replicates the dashboard of a Corvette and a bright yellow cone-shaped, 11 story-high Skydome attached to the main building, sports a rod-like red light,symbolic of a '53 Corvette tail light.

Inside, a rotating collection of 70 unique Corvettes are displayed, some belonging to the Museum, while others are housed on display by their owners, an honor in the Corvette world. Corvette race cars, sleek prototypes, and antique 'Vettes entice you to buy one.

The Museum is more than just an indoor car show, though. "Meet" the original Chief Engineer, Zora Duntov who passed away in 1996. His ashes are housed in an urn, on display with his Corvette, a final wish before he died.

You can learn more about the car, too, while at the Museum. I found it interesting that the original emblem contained an American flag that was pulled just hours before the car's debut in 1953. The legal staff at Chevrolet remembered The Act to Prevent and Punish the Desecration of the Flag of the United States, originating in 1903, which makes it a misdemeanor to sell anything representing the U.S. flag.

An entire room is dedicated to the people who have helped make Corvette what it is and a recreation of the St. Louis Assembly Plant, the second of three places where the Corvette has been built (Detroit, MI, was the first and Bowling Green, KY, is the current location), complete with a live recording from a plant tour through the old plant, and authentic bricks from the St. Louis Assembly Plant, are displayed.

Getting involved at the Museum is never difficult. You can test your strength by picking up the frame of a 'Vette, play the Pit Challenge, an interactive game the puts you in the Pit of race. You have to fill up the gas tank, change the tires and more, while racing against time. If that seems like child's play to you, you can always play big kid games - buying your own Corvette!

The RC8 option allows you to order a 'Vette and take delivery right at the Museum. Set up to make you feel like a celebrity, the kind Museum staff will cater to you, welcome you with a "Congratulations" banner, and wrun through all the car's options, step-by-step. Your family can even watch you take delivery via the Museum's web cam. You'll pay $490 for this additional option, but those who've experienced it say it's worth it.

Can't quite afford a new 'Vette on your next trip to Kentucky? Well then maybe a trip to the Museum's gift shop will suffice. Filled with all things Corvette including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, mugs, jewelry, blankets, chairs, tin signs, Corvette cookies, and hundreds of other novel items, there is something for everyone.

Planning on visiting? Stop in during an event for added fun. The Museum hosts about 9 events a year that showcase new models, offer raffle prizes including new 'Vettes, bring Corvette lovers from across the country together, and educate current owners and would-be buyers, through various seminars.