I traveled to Bowling Green in an attempt to see my car on the line several times during its 8/20 TPW. Arriving at the plant for the Monday 9am tour, I asked one of the tour guides to help me find my car. I knew my sequence number, but they were of no help. I headed over to the Museum where I spoke with Judy and with Karen Akers who will do my museum delivery. Karen made a few calls to the plant and I joined a plant tour that she was leading for two people who were accepting their cars that day. Part way through the tour, Karen's contact met us to say that my car was indeed on the line, but that it wouldn't be visible until Wednesday. He asked me to contact him Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday I went up to Cave City Chevrolet where I met with General Sales Manager Gordon Brandon and checked out their facilities and predelivery preparation. On Wednesday, I walked the plant floor from 8am until 4pm when the plant closed for the day. In addition to the production of my car, I saw the tire and wheel assembly, frame manufacture, paint lines, cockpit fabrication, running gear production and testing facilities on the line. I received build sheets for the chassis and for the running gear. I was even able to kick off the new "Signature Series Z06" when I signed the bottom of my car when it was overhead on the line. Can't wait until my mechanic lifts the car for the first time At the end of the day my car was 11 stations away from 1st start. I returned the following morning, fueled the car for the first time and performed the first start. What a marvelous experience! My thanks go out to all who made this visit an unforgettable experience and to the dedicated workers who build America's Sportscar!

None of this would have happened without the assistance of the National Corvette Museum. I'm so happy I ordered R8C! Special thanks to Karen Akers! Now I can't wait until 9/13 when I return to the Museum for delivery. jerboa :D :D :D




[Modified by jerboa, 1:25 PM 8/26/2001]

 

Congradulations. Hope you enjoy every minute. :cheers:

 

Looks like you got the "E-Ticket" factory tour. :cool: :yesnod:
Tell me more about Cave City motors.
Do they keep the cars inside or outside?
How far in advance do they get the cars?
Do they only do the fluids and lug nuts?
Did you have any beers in BG? :cheers:

 

Congrats....I'll be there 9/17 to pick up my baby. The museum, and the plant tours, add a great experience to Corvette ownership.

Joe

 

Cave City is a relatively small dealership by California standards. I spoke with Gordon Brandon who works with the museum on deliveries. He is in his mid to late 50s and he tells me he owned his first Corvette at the age of 19. He really understands Corvettes and how special they are to all of us. All museum delivery cars are kept indoors overnight. They definitely replace the factory lug nuts with the anti-theft items which are put in the trunk at the factory. They fill the gas tank. They like to have the cars two to three days ahead of delivery, but in an emergency thay have turned a car around in about 6 hours. When the car leaves the factory it is covered with antiscratch coatings and these are aaaall removed before museum delivery.

I did indeed sample some of the fine cuisine and beverages in B.G. I particularly liked the beer at the "Hops" restaurant. Try their Gold Hammer. I even checked out the breakfast at Hardees near the plant, site of the first EB sighting this year. I had dinner with Bluebyu (Jerry) and his wife (Joan) and with his permission I brought along a mystery guest (Initials S.K.) and his wife Carmen. We ate at 440 Main and I recommend it highly if you like New Orleans style cooking. The mystery guest was on cloud nine as he had just bought a 1958 Chevrolet Impala, a pristine car located in the Washington, D.C. area and scheduled to be brought back to B.G. on a trailer.

jerboa


[Modified by jerboa, 2:40 PM 8/26/2001]

 

Congratulations on being able to see your baby's birth!!
I've toured the plant close to 20 times, and still never tire of it. Maybe some day I'll get to visit while they build MY car

 

jerboa,

You did it up right and hooked up with the man, S. K.! OUTSTANDING TRIP!!!

 

Congratulations. I turned down a Z06 available at my dealership as i really wanted to do the NCM delivery...Glad I decided to wait...just hope the wait does not last forever!! :smash:

 

That sounds great, I hope I can do that someday.

 

Hey Bruce,

That's great news. We'll be on the factory tour together, wearing our "I'm getting my new Corvette today' badges. When do you get into town? perhaps some of us could get together the night before for a predelivery celebration. jerboa :cheers:

 

Ok I'll change my delivery date so I can come play with you guys.

 

I'll be leaving BG right after delivery. I sent you a private message with some restaurant options. jerboa

 

I was there that Thursday morning for my delivery. Adam and Mark told us that you had followed your car around the plant Wednesday with Sonny. They were worried that no one would be there to meet you that morning so that you could finish watching the car build. When we were leaving we heard that they were not able to arrange for the PR guy to be there for the photo of your car's first start. That would have been sweet.

Glad things worked out for you. The Museum really has it's act together.