Parking for Corvettes ONLY
That’s what is on the sign in front of the National Corvette Museum (NCM) and they mean it.
Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, across a state highway from GM’s Bowling Green Assembly Plant, the NCM is the world’s largest private museum dedicated to just one car line. The NCM opened on Labor Day Weekend, 1994 by hosting more than 4,000 Corvette owners who traveled a combined distance of more than 250,000 miles to attend this important event. This first Corvette Caravan created one of the most colossal traffic snarls central Kentucky had ever seen.
The NCM is the centerpiece of one of the most high-energy car cultures in the world. Each year thousands of enthusiasts travel from all corners of the automotive world to visit the NCM exhibits and participate in the many events and activities that they sponsor.
Funding for the NCM came from a wide variety of sources. Contributions came from Corvette owners, enthusiasts, dealers, suppliers and UAW members from the Bowling Green Plant.
The now famous 68,000 sq ft facility contains many interesting and engaging exhibits that highlight various elements of the Corvettes history and culture. Exhibits of significant historic Corvettes, a complete 1950’s service station and mockups of the Corvette design studio and assembly line are just a few examples.
The NCM has created a Corvette Hall of Fame to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the Corvette culture over the years. In addition, the NCM has developed a Build-Sheet Service, which provides owners of Corvettes built at the Bowling Green Plant (since 1981) to purchase an authentic copy of their vehicle’s original build-sheet. The build-sheets are an important element in the historical documentation process for any Corvette owner.
The NCM recently broke ground for a significant facility expansion, which will provide much needed space for new exhibits and vehicle displays. In addition to the facility expansion, the NCM has also purchased a 70 acre tract of land nearby which is intended to become a Motorplex Park. When completed the complex will include a road racing course, autocross track and drag strip. Fund raising for the facility is now underway.
Corvette related activities and events are also an important part of the NCM’s calendar each year. Cruise-ins and rendezvous by Corvette clubs and enthusiasts occur throughout the year. One such event will kickoff in mid-September when the NCM sponsored Historic Motorama II caravan departs Bowling Green for Detroit. Once in the Motor City, the 55 Corvettes (one example from each of the past 55 years of Corvette production) will participate in the launch of GM’s next 100 years on September 16, 2008.
The 14th Anniversary of the National Corvette Museum will be celebrated August 28 - 30, 2008. Click here to learn more.
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