Delivered at the National Corvette Museum!
05-21-2008, 11:46 AM
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Racer
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Delivered at the National Corvette Museum!
I picked up my 2008 Crystal Red Metallic Coupe at the NCM in Bowling Green on Monday! Only one word can explain the entire day, UNBELIEVABLE! Here is a chronology of my day:
5:00 Awake early like a kid at Christmas
7:15 Depart hotel enroute to NCM
7:30 Arrive early and meet my delivery manager Larry McCool. Upon arrival, you sign in and also sign a confidentiality agreement that says you will not take pictures, recordings etc at the GM Factory. After signing paperwork, we had a few minutes so Larry walked me around to the Corvette Nursery and it was here I got my first glimpse of the most beautiful car in the world! I was literally speechless thinking this was my car! I took lots of pics, sat in the car etc. I really didnt want to see the car until after the factory tour but its good that I did, it took away the anticipation and I wouldnt have seen a damn thing there for thinking about my car!.
7:45 A short saftey film in the NCM theatre
8:00 Loaded up in the courtsey vans enroute to GM Factory across the street.
8:10 Signed in at front door of factory
8:15 Started tour with Larry McCool. I have to say right here that each person taking delivery of a Corvette at the factory gets a VIP one on one tour with their delivery manager. The knowledge and information passed is definitely more informative than the standard tour given several times a day.
We started out looking at the painted panels that go on the car. Gorgeous to see these panels under the special lights that give the techs a chance to inspect for blimishes. We then proceeded through the factory to see the panels being installed, past the paint boothes, down the assembly line where seats, dash, chassis assembly, hood fitting and then to the motors, exhaust, cats etc.
Let me tell you how lucky me and my friend were when we entered the engine department. We saw 2 ZR1 engines being wired, fitted with catalytic converters etc. You can tell by the looks this engine is special. One of the workers spoke to us and told us which ones were the big dogs! It wasnt hard to tell because of the flat top on the manifold covered by a card board type box cover that looked like the bottom box cases of beer or soup come in. Next we watched as the cats were bolted up to the ZR1 engines. When checking the torque of one of the bolts, one of the inspectors broke off the bolt. We were wisked away to another section as this happened. When we left the ZR1 motors we came upon the ZR1 front and rear end axles, rotors and calipers. The rotors on this thing are much bigger around than a record album. I would honestly say 1 and a half times the size! Monsters! And the calipers were painted blue, very cool looking!
We then saw the completed chassis and body being "married " together on the line. This is where the car took real shape. After bolting together, 28 points in the regular coupe and convertible, 32 for the Z06,it was on to the tires and rims. This was very cool to see because the machine that the tech operates actually floats on a cushion of air. Employee invented I must say! It lifts the tire and the tech places it on the car with one lug. Then he manipulates another machine that screws all five lugs on at a time to a specified torque setting.
Next the car gets the fluids added (gas-oil) and is test started by a tech with a diagnostic computer hooked up. Once it passes there it goes towards the end of the line where the car is aligned from beneath by techs, started up again, driven off the line. I was fortunate to be able to get in a new one and start the vehicle before it exited the line. I received a certificate showing where I gave life to a new Corvette. Only one thing, I was the 2nd to start the car. Remember the tech who started it with the diagnostic computer in place. Dont believe those guys who always say they were the first to start their cars!
After this the cars run over some large rumble strips to settle the shocks, panels etc. Then into the engine dyno booth where the car is run up to 72 mph, checking all diagnostic functions. Once it passes there, on to the water booth where 6000 gallons of water are dumped and pumped against the car. So all of these guys that say their car has never seen water, guess what they lied!
After this, the car is run down a 1/4 mile strip and checked for rattles, noises etc. If one is found, the car goes to the vibration booth where the problem is isolated. After this on to the back lot where all new ones sit for 10-14 days quality hold. This is done in case a quality issue is discovered, those cars that may be affected can be run back through the factory and parts replaced prior to delivery to a dealer thus eliminating a recall. On the way out we walked right past two 2009 ZR1 completed car painted in the new gray color! GORGEOUS! Wait until you see this car in the ZR1 handout that folds out, definitely worth putting up in your garage! This concluded our tour of the factory. Back to the museum. On the way back, we were told that all employees who work at the Corvette plant, request to be placed there from other GM plants. Imagine that, wanting to go to work at a place you request to be! Im sure that goes a long way towards job satisfaction and a quality product!
Once back, we made sure all paperwork was completed, toured the museum and went to inspect my vehicle sitting in delivery space number 1. Larry McCool went over every inch of the car with me to ensure I knew how everything worked. Let me tell you, if you are taking delivery of a new car at the NCM, you should request Larry McCool as your delivery manager! The nicest most knowledgable guy you would ever want to meet. After going over the car we went to the NCM delivery office where Larry went over the paperwork, Onstar, manuals, clothing etc. I chose to get my build sheet and window sticker laminated. Definitely worth the price. I purchased a nylon bra from Gary Cockriel the NCM Manager, for my ride home. Easy installation and Larry even helped. Larry backed my car out of the museum into the delivery bay and drove it around front where he took a photo as well as the many I took in front of the museum.
What an awesome day! I was tempted to do a burn out leaving the parking lot but there are signs everywhere saying no burnouts allowed. Hasnt seem to stop anyone though, marks everywhere leaving the main drive! Let me say this, everything I talked about here has been shown on TV so no confidentiality was compromised, but if you are considering taking delivery at the NCM you are a fool not to do so! The best money I have ever spent by far. Makes the payment of the monthly deal not even hurt.
2:30 Depart museum heading back for a 675 mile trip. Rained the entire way causing my trip to last 13 hours with break in period and rain. And I was one of those guys that said my car would never touch water!
Pics below!!
5:00 Awake early like a kid at Christmas
7:15 Depart hotel enroute to NCM
7:30 Arrive early and meet my delivery manager Larry McCool. Upon arrival, you sign in and also sign a confidentiality agreement that says you will not take pictures, recordings etc at the GM Factory. After signing paperwork, we had a few minutes so Larry walked me around to the Corvette Nursery and it was here I got my first glimpse of the most beautiful car in the world! I was literally speechless thinking this was my car! I took lots of pics, sat in the car etc. I really didnt want to see the car until after the factory tour but its good that I did, it took away the anticipation and I wouldnt have seen a damn thing there for thinking about my car!.
7:45 A short saftey film in the NCM theatre
8:00 Loaded up in the courtsey vans enroute to GM Factory across the street.
8:10 Signed in at front door of factory
8:15 Started tour with Larry McCool. I have to say right here that each person taking delivery of a Corvette at the factory gets a VIP one on one tour with their delivery manager. The knowledge and information passed is definitely more informative than the standard tour given several times a day.
We started out looking at the painted panels that go on the car. Gorgeous to see these panels under the special lights that give the techs a chance to inspect for blimishes. We then proceeded through the factory to see the panels being installed, past the paint boothes, down the assembly line where seats, dash, chassis assembly, hood fitting and then to the motors, exhaust, cats etc.
Let me tell you how lucky me and my friend were when we entered the engine department. We saw 2 ZR1 engines being wired, fitted with catalytic converters etc. You can tell by the looks this engine is special. One of the workers spoke to us and told us which ones were the big dogs! It wasnt hard to tell because of the flat top on the manifold covered by a card board type box cover that looked like the bottom box cases of beer or soup come in. Next we watched as the cats were bolted up to the ZR1 engines. When checking the torque of one of the bolts, one of the inspectors broke off the bolt. We were wisked away to another section as this happened. When we left the ZR1 motors we came upon the ZR1 front and rear end axles, rotors and calipers. The rotors on this thing are much bigger around than a record album. I would honestly say 1 and a half times the size! Monsters! And the calipers were painted blue, very cool looking!
We then saw the completed chassis and body being "married " together on the line. This is where the car took real shape. After bolting together, 28 points in the regular coupe and convertible, 32 for the Z06,it was on to the tires and rims. This was very cool to see because the machine that the tech operates actually floats on a cushion of air. Employee invented I must say! It lifts the tire and the tech places it on the car with one lug. Then he manipulates another machine that screws all five lugs on at a time to a specified torque setting.
Next the car gets the fluids added (gas-oil) and is test started by a tech with a diagnostic computer hooked up. Once it passes there it goes towards the end of the line where the car is aligned from beneath by techs, started up again, driven off the line. I was fortunate to be able to get in a new one and start the vehicle before it exited the line. I received a certificate showing where I gave life to a new Corvette. Only one thing, I was the 2nd to start the car. Remember the tech who started it with the diagnostic computer in place. Dont believe those guys who always say they were the first to start their cars!
After this the cars run over some large rumble strips to settle the shocks, panels etc. Then into the engine dyno booth where the car is run up to 72 mph, checking all diagnostic functions. Once it passes there, on to the water booth where 6000 gallons of water are dumped and pumped against the car. So all of these guys that say their car has never seen water, guess what they lied!
After this, the car is run down a 1/4 mile strip and checked for rattles, noises etc. If one is found, the car goes to the vibration booth where the problem is isolated. After this on to the back lot where all new ones sit for 10-14 days quality hold. This is done in case a quality issue is discovered, those cars that may be affected can be run back through the factory and parts replaced prior to delivery to a dealer thus eliminating a recall. On the way out we walked right past two 2009 ZR1 completed car painted in the new gray color! GORGEOUS! Wait until you see this car in the ZR1 handout that folds out, definitely worth putting up in your garage! This concluded our tour of the factory. Back to the museum. On the way back, we were told that all employees who work at the Corvette plant, request to be placed there from other GM plants. Imagine that, wanting to go to work at a place you request to be! Im sure that goes a long way towards job satisfaction and a quality product!
Once back, we made sure all paperwork was completed, toured the museum and went to inspect my vehicle sitting in delivery space number 1. Larry McCool went over every inch of the car with me to ensure I knew how everything worked. Let me tell you, if you are taking delivery of a new car at the NCM, you should request Larry McCool as your delivery manager! The nicest most knowledgable guy you would ever want to meet. After going over the car we went to the NCM delivery office where Larry went over the paperwork, Onstar, manuals, clothing etc. I chose to get my build sheet and window sticker laminated. Definitely worth the price. I purchased a nylon bra from Gary Cockriel the NCM Manager, for my ride home. Easy installation and Larry even helped. Larry backed my car out of the museum into the delivery bay and drove it around front where he took a photo as well as the many I took in front of the museum.
What an awesome day! I was tempted to do a burn out leaving the parking lot but there are signs everywhere saying no burnouts allowed. Hasnt seem to stop anyone though, marks everywhere leaving the main drive! Let me say this, everything I talked about here has been shown on TV so no confidentiality was compromised, but if you are considering taking delivery at the NCM you are a fool not to do so! The best money I have ever spent by far. Makes the payment of the monthly deal not even hurt.
2:30 Depart museum heading back for a 675 mile trip. Rained the entire way causing my trip to last 13 hours with break in period and rain. And I was one of those guys that said my car would never touch water!
Pics below!!
Last edited by biskitman; 05-21-2008 at 09:32 PM.
05-21-2008, 11:59 AM
#5
Team Owner
Excellent write-up Doug! Congratulations on your new C6!!!!!! 
Here is the latest how-to on posting pics if you need it:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...58&postcount=1
05-21-2008, 12:32 PM
#9
Night Race Blue 427
Member Since: Feb 1999
Location: Muncie, Indiana ...... Can I buy an amplifier on time ... I ani't got no money now but I'll pay you before I die
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Congratulations! Here's wishing you many miles of smiles in your new C6.
05-21-2008, 12:39 PM
#10
Drifting
Member Since: Feb 2005
Location: Clovis, Ca.
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Congratulations on your new ride. Nice writeup on the Museum delivery. Sounds like you enjoyed your Museum delivery as much as I did last August. It's a great experience.
Enjoy the ride.
Gene...
Enjoy the ride.
Gene...
05-21-2008, 12:41 PM
#12
Race Director
Congrats on your new car and thanks for a great write-up. One thing, though - it's not true that all cars go to the back lot for a 10 - 14 day quality hold. I don't know how that myth got started but it's definitely not true. Most are released to Allied within a couple of days of coming off the line.
05-21-2008, 12:45 PM
#13
Drifting
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Congrats on your new car and thanks for a great write-up. One thing, though - it's not true that all cars go to the back lot for a 10 - 14 day quality hold. I don't know how that myth got started but it's definitely not true. Most are released to Allied within a couple of days of coming off the line.
Only the Museum delivery Corvettes are placed on the 10 - 14 day hold. All others are released for transport as soon as they can fill up a truck heading for the same local.Gene...
05-21-2008, 03:19 PM
#20
Team Owner
Great detailed write-up of your experience thanks for sharing it is very informative and congratulations on the car, enjoy.