It sounds like the individual tour would be the way to go. I hope I get to go soon. 
How a Corvette Gets Built
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
If you go, you don't get to see it all and the tour is fairly short and yes there are some robotic devices especially in the tools so that torque values - like on lug nuts - are maintained. Painting is pretty much all robotics - you don't get to be anywhere near it - so is engine manufacturing (different site and shipped to Bowling Green), though the ZR1 (and I thought maybe the Z06?) is hand built.
Yes Vette's are made to order - Dealer order, which is not the individual purchaser. That's true for all cars - not just the Vette. Manufacturers count the car as sold when the vehicle is shipped to the Dealer who finances the order either privately or through the OEM's financial arm - but the point is that the Manufacturer sells to Dealers getting the Bucks up front and long before anyone walks on the lot and tells the salesperson they don't really want the automatic nose picker option. It's never been when the final user signs the contract or even makes a special order - that's the Dealer's sale. Search Business Week if you need more info. What's been unique about the Vette, is that the entire run is usually ordered by Dealers at the start of the Year's production. In good years, there's been a limited window of opportunity to order what you want or you needed to get your order in early. I haven't looked to see where it stands for '09 but in our present economy I'd guess the ZR1 is gone; anything else widely available (so if you want the Factory Pickup option, it's probably out there).
I found the final diagnostic run a little amazing in that no one checks fluids/tire pressure or any of the more mundane things we still do with our cars. Can't help but wonder if someone or thing ever forgets to put in enough oil or coolant (our tour guide couldn't give me a decent answer).
Yes Vette's are made to order - Dealer order, which is not the individual purchaser. That's true for all cars - not just the Vette. Manufacturers count the car as sold when the vehicle is shipped to the Dealer who finances the order either privately or through the OEM's financial arm - but the point is that the Manufacturer sells to Dealers getting the Bucks up front and long before anyone walks on the lot and tells the salesperson they don't really want the automatic nose picker option. It's never been when the final user signs the contract or even makes a special order - that's the Dealer's sale. Search Business Week if you need more info. What's been unique about the Vette, is that the entire run is usually ordered by Dealers at the start of the Year's production. In good years, there's been a limited window of opportunity to order what you want or you needed to get your order in early. I haven't looked to see where it stands for '09 but in our present economy I'd guess the ZR1 is gone; anything else widely available (so if you want the Factory Pickup option, it's probably out there).
I found the final diagnostic run a little amazing in that no one checks fluids/tire pressure or any of the more mundane things we still do with our cars. Can't help but wonder if someone or thing ever forgets to put in enough oil or coolant (our tour guide couldn't give me a decent answer).
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
If you go, you don't get to see it all and the tour is fairly short and yes there are some robotic devices especially in the tools so that torque values - like on lug nuts - are maintained. Painting is pretty much all robotics - you don't get to be anywhere near it - so is engine manufacturing (different site and shipped to Bowling Green), though the ZR1 (and I thought maybe the Z06?) is hand built.
Yes Vette's are made to order - Dealer order, which is not the individual purchaser. That's true for all cars - not just the Vette. Manufacturers count the car as sold when the vehicle is shipped to the Dealer who finances the order either privately or through the OEM's financial arm - but the point is that the Manufacturer sells to Dealers getting the Bucks up front and long before anyone walks on the lot and tells the salesperson they don't really want the automatic nose picker option. It's never been when the final user signs the contract or even makes a special order - that's the Dealer's sale. Search Business Week if you need more info. What's been unique about the Vette, is that the entire run is usually ordered by Dealers at the start of the Year's production. In good years, there's been a limited window of opportunity to order what you want or you needed to get your order in early. I haven't looked to see where it stands for '09 but in our present economy I'd guess the ZR1 is gone; anything else widely available (so if you want the Factory Pickup option, it's probably out there).
I found the final diagnostic run a little amazing in that no one checks fluids/tire pressure or any of the more mundane things we still do with our cars. Can't help but wonder if someone or thing ever forgets to put in enough oil or coolant (our tour guide couldn't give me a decent answer).
Yes Vette's are made to order - Dealer order, which is not the individual purchaser. That's true for all cars - not just the Vette. Manufacturers count the car as sold when the vehicle is shipped to the Dealer who finances the order either privately or through the OEM's financial arm - but the point is that the Manufacturer sells to Dealers getting the Bucks up front and long before anyone walks on the lot and tells the salesperson they don't really want the automatic nose picker option. It's never been when the final user signs the contract or even makes a special order - that's the Dealer's sale. Search Business Week if you need more info. What's been unique about the Vette, is that the entire run is usually ordered by Dealers at the start of the Year's production. In good years, there's been a limited window of opportunity to order what you want or you needed to get your order in early. I haven't looked to see where it stands for '09 but in our present economy I'd guess the ZR1 is gone; anything else widely available (so if you want the Factory Pickup option, it's probably out there).
I found the final diagnostic run a little amazing in that no one checks fluids/tire pressure or any of the more mundane things we still do with our cars. Can't help but wonder if someone or thing ever forgets to put in enough oil or coolant (our tour guide couldn't give me a decent answer).
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Norwich Connecticut
I was there 2 years ago for the XCM Experience.My vette was on display at the museum while my wife and me had a Vip tour of the plant and the museum.It took about 6 hours total for both tours,as we were there form 8am to 2pm.The individual tour is the way to go.The guide takes just you and your guest through most of the plant,and he explains everything.As part of the tour,I was given the opportunity to perform the first-start of a Z06 right on the line!! The regular plant tour happened to be at that same station at the same time I was starting the car,and they all went nuts!!.It was truly a great experience that we both will never forget.We could not stop talking about it on the trip back home.If you get the chance to do it,then do it. You will not regret it.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
I do know that some individuals - like certain media people - get a little bit more including a tour of the paint operation. The general public is whisked through in less than an hour and you're pretty much limited to the body and interior install. It is worth it and you can visit the Museum afterwards - or if you want to compare it to something else, head south and take in a tour of the Saturn plant!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
How True! I wanted to see that part of the operation plus the part where they suck all the air out of the a/c system and cram the charge into it (in no more than a couple of minutes) - they told me that it was in a different part of the plant and the public wasn't allowed in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
I was there 2 years ago for the XCM Experience. My Vette was on display at the museum while my wife and me had a VIP tour of the plant and the museum. It took about 6 hours total for both tours,as we were there form 8am to 2pm. The individual tour is the way to go. The guide takes just you and your guest through most of the plant, and he explains everything. As part of the tour, I was given the opportunity to perform the first-start of a Z06 right on the line! The regular plant tour happened to be at that same station at the same time I was starting the car, and they all went nuts! It was truly a great experience that we both will never forget. We could not stop talking about it on the trip back home. If you get the chance to do it, then do it. You will not regret it.
