Latest news with #NationalCorvetteMuseum
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
There's No Such Thing As A 1983 Chevy Corvette — Or Is There?
There's no such thing as a 1983 Chevy Corvette. Never has been, never will be. Everybody knows that. If you've ever seen one, no you didn't. If someone ever tried to sell you one, they were trying to scam you. If your uncle ever had one, he's a liar. Now, technically, a handful of new C4 Corvettes were built in 1983 — 57 of them, to be precise — but they were never sold to the public. These cars were early prototypes, engineering bucks, crash test units, and media review cars, and they were all destroyed before the actual new C4 generation was released in 1984. So, if there's no such thing as a 1983 Corvette, what's up with the white '83 C4 at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green? Surely that's a fake, right? If the story says that all the test cars were destroyed then the NCM couldn't possibly have one. Did someone pull a fast one on the museum? Well, you know how there's an exception to every rule? That's the case here, because there is such a thing as a 1983 Corvette. It's the only one of its kind in the world, and it only exists today due to a string of good luck and strange occurrences. Read more: You Can Buy A 400-HP V-Series Cadillac For Less Than A Honda Accord Things were looking pretty dire for the venerable Corvette by the dawn of the 1980s. The C3 discovette platform was on its last legs, its engine strangled by malaise-era emissions standards and its running gear a '60s-era relic. By the late '70s, the big brains in General Motors design were already working away on a new generation of Corvette, the C4. They knew they wanted it for 1983, but they had some very ambitious goals for the new car's body, running gear, and technology. Unfortunately for GM, its eyes were a bit bigger than its stomach, as it were. As C4 development progressed, numerous production issues reared their ugly heads. GM moved Corvette production in 1981 from its longtime home in St. Louis to an all-new facility in Bowling Green, KY. This was done in anticipation of building the C4s in the new factory, but it quickly got tangled up in issues producing the new composite body panels due to a last-minute change in their makeup. Other parts of the production and design process got delayed, schedules fell behind, and there was even some alleged c-suite meddling — apparently GM boss Lloyd Reuss wanted the C4 to have a targa top instead of t-tops, and brought this up at the last minute. It became clear to the Corvette boys that they were never going to make their '83 deadline, so they punted. While some of the C4's advanced technology made it into the last year of the C3 — the new cross-fire fuel injection system, a new four-speed auto, and the one-piece glass liftback — General Motors decided that discretion was the better part of valor and decided in 1982 to delay the C4's launch until 1984. The company would use this gap year to really dial the new car in and make sure it was as good as it could be when it was finally launched. You know what? It worked, and the C4 Corvette was a huge evolutionary leap forward for the Corvettes and cemented its future in GM's lineup. So, what about this white car at the NCM that claims to be an '83? Well, that car there is an actual, factual, 1983 Corvette, the only one of its kind. No one is quite sure how it survived when it and all its remaining siblings were ordered to the crusher. Some say it got lost, others say it was intentionally hidden. Whatever the case, the car apparently languished in a parking lot outside of the Bowling Green factory for two years until the plant manager discovered it in 1985. He ran the mystery car's VIN — 1G1AY0783D5110023 — and it came back as an '83. The '83, in fact. The car was immediately moved inside to protect it. A couple years exposed to the elements had done a real number on the car, so the guys at the factory spruced it up a little, slapped on a set of directional 16-inch C4 wheels, and gave it a snazzy stars and stripes-themed paint job. The world's only '83 Corvette became kind of a factory mascot and was set in a place of honor where it stayed for nearly a decade. The star-spangled '83 was donated to the National Corvette Museum in 1994 upon the museum's grand opening. Museum staff undertook a thorough restoration returning the '83 to its original white paint and blue interior. They even replaced the 16-inch wheels with 15-inch hoops that were originally designed for the bottom rung of the C4 lineup. The world's only 1983 Corvette is still on display at the National Corvette Museum where it's been since 1994. Miraculously, it survived the 2014 sinkhole event and you can still see it occasionally puttering around the museum grounds. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
National Corvette Museum Names David Hill as President and CEO
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious The National Corvette Museum has appointed David Hill as its new President and CEO, succeeding Sharon Brawner, who announced her departure last year after serving since 2021. Hill, who officially begins his role on March 17, 2025, brings extensive leadership experience across multiple industries, including technology, manufacturing, energy, and education. His prior executive positions include roles at Mar-K, Logic Energy, Petrosmith, and Kimray, reflecting a diverse business background suited to guide the museum's strategic growth. Board Chair Kaye Wagner praised Hill's unique ability to honor Corvette's storied past while guiding the museum into the future. "David's blend of business insight, deep passion for Corvette heritage, and demonstrated leadership made him the ideal candidate," Wagner said. "We look forward to his contributions as we continue to evolve." Hill, a longtime Corvette enthusiast and restorer of several classic models, including a 1971 Stingray, cited his admiration for the Corvette legacy in accepting the role. His personal favorite Corvette model remains the iconic 1967 edition. He clarified he has no relation to David Hill, the retired Corvette Chief Engineer known for overseeing the C5 and C6 Corvette generations. 'The National Corvette Museum represents the heart and soul of America's sports car, and it's a tremendous honor to lead this cherished institution,' Hill said. 'I am excited to work with the talented museum team to enhance our visitor experience, expand our audience, and continue celebrating Corvette's rich history and culture.' Hill and his wife, Shannon, plan to relocate to Bowling Green, home to both the museum and the GM Bowling Green Assembly Plant, Corvette's exclusive production site since 1981. The National Corvette Museum is known as a premier destination for car enthusiasts worldwide, showcasing rare Corvettes, historic exhibits, and interactive experiences dedicated to preserving the legacy of America's most celebrated sports car.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ken Lingenfelter Named To National Corvette Museum Board
Read the full story on Backfire News Ken Lingenfelter, who's made a name for himself tuning Corvettes and other GM products, was recently added to the board for the National Corvette Museum. It's a big addition to what's already a huge draw for enthusiasts and even non-car people as people flock to the museum to learn more about America's sports to an official press release, Lingenfelter has joined the Museum's Board of Directors as an At-Large Member. The man bought Lingenfelter Performance Engineering in 2008. His distant cousin John Lingenfelter founded the company. With Ken at the helm, the brand has continued to help owners push the performance envelope with their cars. He bought his first Corvette in 1977 and was bitten with the performance bug. Since then, the man has acquired many more, plus muscle cars and some exotic rides. The museum has even put several of his 'Vettes on display throughout the years, most notably his 1954 Chevy Corvette EX-87 Duntov Mule, a pivotal piece of history for the sports car. Lingenfelter has deep roots with GM, thanks in part to his father being an executive with the auto giant. But he himself was a manager at the Fisher Body Assembly Plant back in the day. 'Corvette has been a lifelong passion of mine, and I am honored to join the National Corvette Museum Board,' said Ken Lingenfelter. 'The Museum is a vital institution that preserves Corvette's incredible history while inspiring future generations of enthusiasts. I look forward to working alongside this dedicated team to help drive the Museum into an exciting future.' The National Corvette Museum is going through a number of changes right now, so having Lingenfelter's support will be invaluable. Not only is the building being expanded with several new areas to augment visitors' experiences, a Corvette Hall of Fame is slated to open later this year. Image via National Corvette Museum
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Zora Arkus-Duntov's Personal Corvette Undergoing Restoration
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious The National Corvette Museum is restoring a piece of automotive history: Zora Arkus-Duntov's personal 1974 Corvette Stingray. Despite being credited as the 'Father of the Corvette,' Arkus-Duntov did not own one until his retirement in 1975. Now, the car he cherished for 15 years is undergoing a meticulous restoration, and enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see it mid-process during the museum's annual Bash event from April 24–26. Arkus-Duntov played a crucial role in shaping the Corvette into a true performance machine. His contributions, including the introduction of the small-block V-8 in 1955 and his tenure as Chevrolet's director of high-performance vehicles, set the stage for the Corvette's evolution into an American sports car icon. However, as a GM executive, he never personally owned one—until he left the company and purchased a fully loaded 1974 big-block Stingray with a 454-cubic-inch V-8 engine. The Corvette was later customized with a two-tone blue paint scheme and Arkus-Duntov's initials on the doors. He sold the car in 1989, and after his passing in 1996, it was donated to the National Corvette Museum. Now, the museum's restoration team has taken on the task of preserving the car while maintaining its originality. The restoration process has involved stripping the frame to bare metal, repairing rust damage, and reinforcing the chassis with rust-preventative coatings. The front and rear suspension have been refreshed, and the original 454-cid V-8 has been rebuilt and reinstalled. The body, however, will retain its signature two-tone blue finish and distinctive lettering. The project is expected to be completed by August, but visitors can witness the ongoing restoration in person during the museum's annual Bash. For Corvette fans, it's a rare opportunity to see a legend's personal car brought back to life while honoring Arkus-Duntov's lasting impact on the brand.
