When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
You guys might find this interesting. Back in 1996, wife & I scheduled a vacation to Memphis, with a stop at the museum and factory. I was planning to order myself a new Tahoe soon after our return. As we began the factory tour, I caught the Corvette bug. I decided then and there I wanted a new 1996 Vette, not a Tahoe. I was leaning towards a GS, until the people behind us on the tour said "that is the ugliest blue Corvette" when we passed a GS on the assembly line. I kinda had to agree with them. Upon our return, I ordered a Torch Red Coupe with the LT4 engine. Had it for 17 years then bought a new 2013 GS, sold it 3 years ago and last year bought a used 2023 C8 Z51 in Red Mist w/Natural interior with 5.5k immaculate miles on it for well under $70k. The best of the lot! We have been to the museum and factory 3 times and have 3 bricks there to commemorate the 3 Corvettes I've been lucky to own.
I've never been to the bash or the museum.
I'd like to go to the museum some day.
The bash? Not as sure.
Last years bash sounded pretty bad. Obviously this year could be news about the GS, but that doesn't blow me away.
Things to do, places to see while you're there?
What's with these road tours and the pricing??
Thanks in advance.
IMO go to KY for the Bourbon trail. If time allows pop by the bash. If not, seems like not much of a loss these days. Just isnt what it used to be.
Originally Posted by Midlifegoals
I don’t expect it to be much better this year. Any GM top brass that understood the value of this event have been silenced or left the company.
Agree 100%. Current GM top brass view the vette as an afterthought it seems. It wont be the same ever again unless a drastic leadership change occurs, maybe not even then.
It's sad. I've loved vettes my whole life. Still do really despite some of my posts here. But I absolutely HATE present-day GM corporate and their approach to a lot of things.
Appreciate the advice all, thanks.
If I go I'll be driving from Mass with no time table. Thinking maybe stop at Niagra?
Head south west from there and hit the museum and factory tour, but probably not the bash. Then I can take my C8 at no schedule. I have no constraints so I can go whenever the mood and weather suits me.
Change the oil before I go and put some miles on.
Friend in Tenn to visit also.
Open to any other suggestions/things to see and do.
Thx again.
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Have been to the Museum and done the factory tour a number of times but never attended the Bash. Have attended the Labor Day celebration a few times, but doubt I’ll make the Bash unless I can coordinate a visit to see my BIL who lives in Nashville at the same time.
Undecided right now,we stayed at Best Western a couple of years ago, pretty nice for a place to crash, got a first floor room because we had our little dog.
Appreciate the advice all, thanks.
Head south west from there and hit the museum and factory tour, but probably not the bash.
Open to any other suggestions/things to see and do.
Thx again.
Note: a plant tour is not a given. The plant is not always open for them, and sometimes when they are it is booked solid. You need to plan ahead some. I have done a couple of plant tours. The last one was at a Bash when I got my credentials & inquired about a tour at the museum ticket "booth." They said that there was one left if I went directly over to the assembly plant immediately.
I like the Bash. Try it once.
Seminars to learn things about the car & the museum. Lots of cars to see if you are shopping for one and want to see colors, etc. (I live in a rural area and see Corvettes only in pictures LOL.) Also, you can get many ideas/see potential mods - talk to many people.
Tadge & Harlan were great, and so was Kai Spandi (plant manager). Above and beyond! Now its perhaps just normal for the business world. I will give the new people some slack in their first year. The road tours have been good - always good food. The racing banquet with Doug Fehan has always been great! One year at the Bash I won a set of Michelins! Also in Bowling Green: a train museum & airplane museum/display.
I have had nice conversations with the paint shop manager and even Tom Peters - C6, 7, and 8 exterior designer.
Will be going back for this year's Bash and hope to have my C8 waiting there for an R8C delivery.
I love the Bash...it's a permanent event every year on my calendar. Lot's of seminars, the Corvette team always presents in a seminar and talks about new Corvette stuff. Michelin and Mobil 1 do seminars and give away cool prizes. You get access to the Museum too. It's an GREAT event!
I'll also be doing a CORVETTE TODAY presentation on Saturday morning at 9:30am.
I'lll be going again. I'm only about 100 miles away and my brother drives in from Nashville with my nephew that is a Corvette nut. We enjoy walking around looking at other cars and talking with fellow Corvette owners. We don't do any of the tech seminars, we just like to hang out and look at cars.