Report on my 2008 Museum Delivery: Bowling Green to San Diego (Pics)
 

On Tuesday morning I picked up my 2008 1YY from Bowling Green.

Before I get into details of this incredible road trip, I owe a very special thanks to Purdue/Andre and his father who were kind enough to give me one of their GMS vouchers. I genuinely appreciate this Andre. Please share this post with your dad and let him know I was thinking about him as I toured the factory and museum. Since you posted pictures of him, he kept popping to the front of my mind during the tours... wishing I could thank him then and there. Thanks again!!

Road Trip Metrics
Miles Driven: 2231

Observed Avg Fuel Economy: 28-29 (This fact amazed me) more below.

Coolant Temps: 210.. always (Odd no?)

Avg Speed on Interstate: 85-95 mph

Number of Tickets: ZERO!

Ambient Temps: 55 in Colorado, 118 in Nevada

States Crossed: 9, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Arizona (a 25 mile corner) and California.

The Tour
Thomas from the Museum gave a great insightful tour. He knows more about the car's history, heritage and assembly than anyone else I've ever met.

The Car
The car was waiting for me upon arrival at the Museum... under Cam No. 4. I noticed a 3/4" tear in the passenger's seat bottom cushion, so Dave from the museum's PDI dept. immediately took my car back across the street to the plant to have them fix it. By the time the day was over, and I was ready to leave, my new baby was back with a brand new seat!! Hows that for service? Thanks to Thomas, Dave and everyone else behind the scenes who handled this for me.

SUPRISING FUEL ECONOMY
Since the new EPA rules result in lower "window sticker" mileage I was assuming I'd be getting 16/26 in real world driving. During the first 500 miles of break-in driving I was observing 26 mpg on the DIC. I thought this was reasonable. But, as the trip went on, and my car racked up more miles, the fuel economy actually IMPROVED!! Over the next 2,000 miles I was averaging 28-29 mpg. On the downward leg through the Rockies it climbed as high as 30.5.

THE ENGINE
I dont have much to compare it to as this is my first Vette, but the LS3 really impressed. It was fast, smooth and had a nice little growl (but not too much). The drivetrain was smooth easy to shift and not to mention economy. And the lopey idle is niiiiice.

THE ONLY GRIPE
With all the great efforts that have gone into making this car world class, why did Chevy go so F#@&'n cheap on the leather? Since they're only using leather seating "surfaces," why not make those tiny surfaces from GOOD high-quality leather? I know this is gnit-picky, but the lack of a quality leather creates a substantial uncomplimentary contrast against the car's other tremendous attributes. GM: PUT IN SOME PREMIUM QUALITY LEATHER. I would be very happy to pay the extra $100 it would cost.

PICTURES

http://lh5.google.com/ehstone/RrU_Qm.../s800/map1.jpg

http://lh3.google.com/ehstone/RrZIU2...0/IMG_1413.JPG
That guy's Vette looks just like mine.

http://lh3.google.com/ehstone/RrZKd2...0/IMG_1405.JPG
Thomas from the Museum breifs me on the gizmos. Here hes showing me how to use the 2008's Remote
Collision Avoidance Warning Illumination System.
GM calls it RCA-WIS, but I think they look and operate just like tail lights.

http://lh5.google.com/ehstone/RrZITW...0/IMG_1406.JPG

http://lh3.google.com/ehstone/RrU_OG...interior-1.JPG

http://lh6.google.com/ehstone/RrU_P2...interior-2.JPG

http://lh6.google.com/ehstone/RrU_R2...s800/arch1.JPG
Corvette @ St. Louis Arch

http://lh6.google.com/ehstone/RrU_S2...s800/arch2.JPG
Corvette @ St. Louis Arch: another view

http://lh3.google.com/ehstone/RrU_UG.../s800/corn.JPG
Corvette & Missouri Corn.. or was it Kansas

http://lh4.google.com/ehstone/RrU_VW...0/rockies2.JPG
Corvette @ Colorado Rockies

http://lh5.google.com/ehstone/RrU_am...0/rockies1.JPG
Corvette @ Colorado Rockies

http://lh3.google.com/ehstone/RrU_XG.../s800/utah.JPG
Corvette in Utah

http://lh4.google.com/ehstone/RrU_YW...00/baker01.JPG
Corvette outside Vegas.. World's Tallest Thermometer @ 113f

http://lh5.google.com/ehstone/RrU_Zm...sandiego01.JPG
While Kansas was great, there's no place like home: Back in San Diego by Pacific Ocean

Congratulations on your new Corvette! :thumbs:

Nice write-up!

I'm working on higher rez pics.

Congrats, and enjoy your new ride!!:thumbs:

Congratulations! :thumbs:

I'm stunned they'd overlook a flaw like the one you found when presenting the car as a showpiece. I know they build 40K+ of these things per year, but for pity's sake scrutinize the ones under the lights in the museum! :smash:

But, I'm just jealous. One of these days one of my vettes is going to be NCM delivered. :thumbs:

BTW, I spent a lot of time on I80 the past 2 weeks . . . in a stinkin' minivan! What I would give to have had the vette in no-man's-land thru Nevada! All legal, of course! ;)

FM :cheers:

They are a little small.:D

I Find 800X600 works well in the threads.

Try these on for size!

Nice write-up. Sounds like you are enjoying the ride. :thumbs:

I have to agree, the delivery personnel all seem to be very knowledgeable about corvettes and their history. I enjoyed my delivery experience tremendously and will never buy another new
Vette without the R8C option.

:thumbs: Nice write up, and pics:cheers:

Without a doubt I am. Thank you.

Looks GREAT! Much Thanks for Posting!

Bravo!


I just love the look of your car -not sure why?

http://i15.tinypic.com/4u4wsjl.jpg

My 2007:D

...not sure why either... why do you think that is?

Contrats! Nice writeup. Thanks.

Thank you too!

congrats!!!!!!! I have an exact color,int & wheel combo on the way!!!!!!!

:cheers:

Thanks for the write-up and pictures. Great car and a great trip...
Cannot wait to pick mine up in Bowling Green in September.

congrats - road trip
 

Congratulations on your new Corvette! I also did the NCM and drove down to Miami Florida. I was wondering if you used a bra on your car for the road trip?

I'm going to be driving from Miami, FL to Canada and am a little concerned about getting damage on my front end. I have the GM bra but it's a pain to install IMO.

Your road trip looks like it was a lot of fun!

Thank you!

No bra, I dont like them. Suprisingly, no front end damage. I know with time I'l lget rock chips, but to me thats part of normal wear and tear.

I'm different than most. I got this car to drive. I will wax it and all but I know it will never be a pristine museum car. I know if the experience is good, I'll be replacing it in 3-4 years.

:thumbs: Congratulations and thanks for a great write up.