USA 2024 - National Corvette Museum: Classic Restos - Series 57

Fletch is off to Kentucky, a state renowned for many things, for its rich history and cultural icons, including being the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and the culinary birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Not to mention notable figures such as George Clooney and the famed Kentucky Bourbon. However, this week's episode leads him specifically to Bowling Green, Kentucky, home of the National Corvette Museum.

The Corvette, a distinguished two-door, two-seat sports car, made its debut in 1953 and quickly earned the title of America’s Sportscar. The National Corvette Museum, which opened its doors in 1994, showcases the remarkable evolution of the Corvette through a series of captivating displays and exhibits, offering immersive experiences that highlight the vehicle’s significant role in automotive history.

A notable event etched in the museum's history occurred on February 12, 2014, when a massive sinkhole unexpectedly opened up beneath the museum's Skydome, engulfing eight historically significant Corvettes. In July 2015, the museum underwent a full restoration, unveiling a special exhibit titled ‘The Ground to Sky: Sinkhole Reimagined,’ which chronicles the dramatic events of that day.

During his visit, Fletch meets with Museum Curator Brian, who leads him on an engaging tour of the museum. Along the tour, they encounter numerous classic Corvettes, including the very first-hand-built built model from the Flint, Michigan plant, originally produced in 1953. This model, notable for its Dolomite white exterior and red interior, was one of only 300 units built, all equipped with a 6-cylinder engine before the V8 engines were introduced in 1955.

Among the highlights of the tour is a pristine 1957 Corvette, famed for its high-speed performance on the sands of Daytona Beach during NASCAR-sanctioned Speed Trials, where it recorded a speed exceeding 100 mph.

One gallery is dedicated to performance, featuring the powerful C8R race version built by Pratt Miller for Corvette Racing, boasting an impressive 550 horsepower. This area proudly showcases the racing heritage of numerous Corvette models throughout the years.

Another section, Driven By Design, delves into the Corvette's engineering and design evolution. This gallery exhibits various prototypes that paved the way for the modern Corvette, along with experimental vehicles such as the rear-engined XP819, affectionately dubbed the ‘Ugly Duckling’ by the godfather of the Corvette. 

A stand-out among the exhibits is a restored 1962 Tuxedo Black Corvette, a sinkhole survivor that was one of the eight vehicles lost in the 2014 incident. Each vehicle has its own remarkable restoration story.

For those looking to purchase a new Corvette, the museum features Corvette Boulevard, where buyers can partake in a VIP tour of the museum and drive their new car directly from the boulevard, marking a memorable exit from this iconic automotive destination.