Factory tours
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,980
Likes: 3,826
From: Bainbridge Island WA
It has not been announced. Originally it was said t be an 18 month hiatus, which would take us until the end of 2018. Obviously they could start up sooner, but there has been no announcement.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,979
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From: Kansas City, MO
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,980
Likes: 3,826
From: Bainbridge Island WA
The NCM has repeated the original announcement from the plant, but the NCM is not in charge here. The plant is known in the past to give themselves plenty of leeway. For example, Spande said, for sure, that the new paint plant would start gradually, starting with white and yellow, then add black and red before adding new colors as they opened back up. It was supposed to have been a gradual transition. Yet the latest word is that the paint shop is painting all colors ahead of the original schedule. I wouldn't be at all surprised if tours opened up again ahead of schedule. That would be considered a "win" for the plant because it would once again exceed expectations.
Lifetime Supporting Gold
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 107
From: Katy TX
Not only are there no tours but they are not even offering the photo almbum that you can normally purchase of your Corvette being built. Clearly things going on that they want kept from prying eyes and inquiring minds.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,232
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From: SF Bay Area CA
That's the real bummer. No photos, Buyer's tours, or Engine Build Experience.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,980
Likes: 3,826
From: Bainbridge Island WA
When I was there back last April, a couple of months before the tours shut down, they had pasted newspaper over the windows of the engine build shop so no one could see in. They were obviously hiding something (the LT5, perhaps?) Obviously they take their paranoia very seriously.
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 687
Likes: 102
From: Albany NY
Sounds like great PR, the anticipation, all for free. It's that New York thought process, milk it for what it's worth. I'd like to go. But still too new around here. How far is the plant from the NCM? Is there anything to do in Bowling Green, KY ?
I guess I'll wait till both are open to the regular guy.
I guess I'll wait till both are open to the regular guy.
Lifetime Supporting Gold
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 107
From: Katy TX
Sounds like great PR, the anticipation, all for free. It's that New York thought process, milk it for what it's worth. I'd like to go. But still too new around here. How far is the plant from the NCM? Is there anything to do in Bowling Green, KY ?
I guess I'll wait till both are open to the regular guy.
I guess I'll wait till both are open to the regular guy.
There may be other things to do in BG but when I went in 2014 I did not take the time to investigate. Took delivery of my 2014 at the museum and did the factory tour (museum is more or less across the street from the plant). Going back in a couple of months to take delivery of a 19, definitely wish I was going to be able to do the factory tour but wasn’t going to wait for a new Vette (lost my 14 in Hurricane Harvey) until 2019.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
When I was there back last April, a couple of months before the tours shut down, they had pasted newspaper over the windows of the engine build shop so no one could see in. They were obviously hiding something (the LT5, perhaps?) Obviously they take their paranoia very seriously.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,706
Likes: 539
From: Hampton VA
Sounds like great PR, the anticipation, all for free. It's that New York thought process, milk it for what it's worth. I'd like to go. But still too new around here. How far is the plant from the NCM? Is there anything to do in Bowling Green, KY ?
I guess I'll wait till both are open to the regular guy.
I guess I'll wait till both are open to the regular guy.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10,352
Likes: 9,631
From: Lawton, OK
C7 & C8 Events Correspondent
Tech Contributor
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Plant tours to resume January 2019. And if you think they were being cautious about who could be in the plant before the future product parts leak, imagine how much tighter the are going to try to keep the lid on things from here on out.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Lifetime Supporting Gold
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,681
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From: Katy TX
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
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I assume until we see the ZERV at NAIAS in January 2019 you won't be allowed in the plant.
There will be another blackout period when regular C7 production is superseded by FE C8 production in either 2020 or 2021. That one will mimic the blackout just before the C7 was announced in January 2013.
There will be another blackout period when regular C7 production is superseded by FE C8 production in either 2020 or 2021. That one will mimic the blackout just before the C7 was announced in January 2013.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 529
Likes: 199
From: Clarksville Tennessee
