During the post-war area, the design for the Corvette began in 1951 after General Motors’ chief stylist Harley Earl visits a Watkins Glen sports car race and becomes impressed with the foreign sports cars that watched in the race. His decision to create an American sports car, later to become known as the Corvette, earned him the name, “Father of the Corvette.”

A prototype was created in 1952, made of fiberglass with balsa wood floors, both of which the Corvette is still known for today. The light weight of the body was created to increase speed. Now that the car was taking shape, it needed a name. Myron Scott, then a member of the General Motor’s Public Relations department came up with “Corvette” which means Royal Navy Warship, representing strength, speed, and maneuverability.

With great anticipation, the Corvette first made its debut during the 1953 New York Motorama Show at the famous Walforf Astoria hotel ballroom. Little did the public know that General Motor’s employees were scrambling to replace the car’s logo just a few hours before the show. The original design sported a checkered racing flag crossed by a patriotic American flag. A member of the General Motor’s legal staff realized at the last minute that the American flag is copyright protected from commercial use and it had to be pulled quick. The Chevrolet “fleur de lis” was put in it’s place and no one ever knew the difference.

Despite the minor bump, the public responded well to the car and production began in a small, thrown together, assembly plant in Flint, Michigan, rolling off 300 Corvettes within a six month time frame. The sticker price at the time was only $3,000.

To keep costs down and to increase production time, all 300 Corvettes were created exactly the same. They were all Polo White with Sportsman Red vinyl interior and a black top. Most of the cars, surprisingly, were sold to celebrities and other highly visible personalities like town mayors and other public officials. This strategy was done as a marketing technique to get this sport car into the public’s eye.

Unfortunately, the car’s launch didn’t take off so well. People were skeptical since it was pricey for it’s time and somewhat impractical being that it was a two-seater. Sales didn’t take off all that well and numerous times through the car’s history, it almost was yanked from General Motor’s line up. It was the people behind the car, though, that really fought for its existence, and thankfully, won.

Zora Arkus-Duntov was one of those people. He was hired early on in the life of the Corvette and become the Corvette’s Chief Engineer and known to some as the godfather of the Corvette. His experience and improvements to the car really improved its image. The car was a labor of love to him his entire life even after he retired in 1974. His ashes now remain on display at the National Corvette Museum, a final wish before he died – that’s how much he loved the car.

With Duntov’s influence and opening up sales to the general public, the car’s popularity began to take off. So much so, that production moved to St. Louis, MO, the second of only three places the Corvette would made in its history.

Seven generations or body styles later, Corvettes are now made in Bowling Green, KY, known as the “Home of the Corvette.” Between the Assembly Plant and The National Corvette Museum across the street, the two have created a network of Corvette lovers, helping to increase sales and the car’s popularity. It looks the American Sports Car is here to stay.

Bio

Denise M. Ruggieri is a freelance writer and a “Corvette Girl” for three years now. Her and her husband, Nick, are proud owners of a 1999 Magnetic Red 6-speed Corvette which they’ve taken to local Corvette shows, and events across the nation, with their local Corvette Club. Denise was fortunate enough to meet “Corvette Girls” from around the world while writing her graduate thesis, “Corvette Girl” which focused on women with Corvettes and the Corvette Culture as a whole.

Linda stares at her new Corvette, not yet fully formed. It’s beautiful, but incomplete. She can hardly wait to get her hands on the car. She stares it up and down imagining the fun the two of them are going to have on the open road. An employee at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, KY, invites her to sign her autograph underneath the seat before they fix it into place. Feeling famous, she gladly agrees and decides this is one of the most exciting days of her life. Aiding in the birth of brand new Corvette on the Assembly Plant is a dream come true.

And the privilege isn’t just reserved for Linda. Any Corvette lover interested in making the journey to Bowling Green, KY, to help construct their car and who has the money to do so, can. For only $350, a mere drop in the buck for most Corvette enthusiasts, you can purchase a Corvette at your local dealership and then opt to be part of the Corvette Buyer’s Plant Tour. The tour gives the you, and up to three guests, a VIP tour of the Bowling Green Assembly Plant on the day your car is being created. Although there is no 100% guarantee because of plant shut downs and other unexpected events, the National Corvette Museum staff, who work in conjunction with the Assembly Plant, make every effort to get you on the Line when your Corvette is being formed.

Interested? The process is simple:

1. Purchase your Corvette
2. Visit the National Corvette Museum’s website to fill out a registration form to sign up for the Corvette Buyer’s 3. Plant Tour (http://store.corvettemuseum.com/services/buyertour.asp)
4. Pay your $350 fee
5. Wait to hear from the Museum’s staff who will notify you 8-14 day’s before the car’s build date.
6. Make travel plans.
7. Arrive at the Assembly Plant for your VIP tour and to make memories with your new Corvette.

Although the car spends 36 hours winding its way through seven miles of conveyor systems, the VIP tour only lasts 3 to 5 hours. But it’s well worth it. The public tour of the plant alone reveals some pretty awesome things. The fact that you can tour the plant where America’s sports car is made is unique all in itself. As a VIP, it’s even better. Along the way, you’ll see how Corvettes are put together from the ground up. Brightly colored car parts descend from the ceiling while Corvette frames meet at the bottom, waiting for the “marriage.” And while you are there, your tour guide will tell you some rather interesting history and fun facts about the Corvette.

To add to this ultimate experience, like Linda, you may get to help assemble some parts of the car. Plant workers are known to let you adhere the tires, fill up the gas tank, and assemble certain parts.

The most exciting part? Giving birth to your new Corvette, otherwise known as, starting the Corvette for the first time when it’s completely finished. It’s like being a being a proud parent showing off their newborn for the first time.

For additional questions regarding the “Buyers Tour” contact Corvette Buyers Tour Coordinator – Lori Bieschke at: lori (at) corvettemuseum.com or Gary Cockriel – Museum Delivery Program Manager at: gary (at) corvettemuseum.com or call (800) 205-4248.

Bio

Denise M. Ruggieri is a freelance writer and a “Corvette Girl” for three years now. Her and her husband, Nick, are proud owners of a 1999 Magnetic Red 6-speed Corvette which they’ve taken to local Corvette shows, and events across the nation, with their local Corvette Club. Denise was fortunate enough to meet “Corvette Girls” from around the world while writing her graduate thesis, “Corvette Girl” which focused on women with Corvettes and the Corvette Culture as a whole.