It’s April 7, 2006, and chaos breaks out in Rhea Law’s purse as her cell phone goes off. Her husband’s pocket gets noisy too as his phone rings at the same time. Their family and friends have called to tease them about taking delivery on their new car, a 2006 Z06 Le Mans Blue Corvette. Thanks to the Museum’s online web cam service, they took part in welcoming the new addition, watching its delivery on the internet.

“We see you with that car!” shouts the other end of the line.

Meeting their new “baby” was the highlight of a very exciting day. The Law’s were given a private tour of the Assembly Plant earlier in the morning and had just finished touring the Museum. Now it was time for the new owners to learn how to operate the car. The Museum staff ran through each gadget, explaining what this knob or that stick was for and how to use it, the way nurses in the maternity ward explain to new parents how to care for their newborn. Each piece was handled with care, every special feature delicately touched.

You can enjoy taking delivery on your new Corvette at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY, the way the Law’s did. The National Corvette Museum Delivery (R8C) option allows you to purchase your Corvette from a dealership, but have it delivered at the Museum. Hundreds of Corvette owners do it every year.

The National Corvette Museum Delivery (R8C) Option

How much does it cost?
A minimal cost of $490 which must be specified at the time the order is finalized.

How do I go about signing up for it?
1. Order your new Corvette at the dealership.
2. Specify and pay for the National Corvette Museum Delivery (R8C) option.
3. Wait to hear from the National Corvette Museum staff with a delivery date.
4. Make travel arrangements.
5. Visit the Museum to enjoy a day of activities and pick up your Corvette.

What will happen when I get to the Museum?
1. Signs will welcome you to the Museum and will commemorate the event.
2. You’ll be taken to the Bowling Green Assembly Plant across the street in a GM courtesy car to take a VIP tour.
3. You’ll be brought back to the Museum to take a VIP tour.
4. A member of the National Corvette Museum delivery team will provide a thorough orientation and presentation of your new car and will review how all features work.
5. You’ll be presented with a gold decal that specifies you took delivery at the National Corvette Museum and you’ll receive a one year membership to the Museum.

What should I bring with me to the Museum for delivery?

• A License Plate or Temporary Tag
• Proof of Ownership
(Bill of sale, etc.)
• Proof of Insurance
• Valid Operator’s License
• Dealer Acknowledgement Form (this can be found on the National Corvette Museum website (http://www.corvettemuseum.com/ncm_delivery/acknowledgment2.pdf)

This is a great option for Corvette owners that will provide memories to last a lifetime. The National Corvette Museum staff treats you and your car like you are royalty. Your Corvette will be in the “nursery” with other Corvettes waiting to be picked up until you get there. And web cams overlooking the “nursery” let family members and friends that can’t make the haul to Kentucky with you, able to participate in the delivery. Consider the R8C option if you are planning on getting a Corvette. It’s worth it!

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.