Even though the National Corvette Museum is independently owned and supported exclusively by charitable donations, GM couldn’t (and shouldn’t) just stand by as a mere spectator after a giant sinkhole measuring 40-feet wide and 20-to-30-feet deep consumed eight historic ‘Vettes in the early morning hours of Wednesday. Plus, let’s not forget, two of those vehicles were on loan from GM itself.
The General announced today that it will assist the museum by overseeing the restoration of the damaged Corvettes once they are recovered from the hole.
“The vehicles at the National Corvette Museum are some of the most significant in automotive history,” commented Mark Reuss, executive vice president of GM Global Product Development. “There can only be one 1-millionth Corvette ever built. We want to ensure as many of the damaged cars are restored as possible so fans from around the world can enjoy them when the Museum reopens.”
The person who will oversee the restoration project is none other than Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design, with work to take place at the automaker’s Design department in Warren, Michigan.
“When the cars are recovered, they will be shipped to the Mechanical Assembly facility, a small specialty shop within GM Design, where the best restoration approach will be determined,” said the Detroit firm in a statement. “Mechanical Assembly has been part of GM Design since the 1930s, and today maintains and restores many of the vehicles in the GM Heritage Collection and GM’s historic concept cars.”
For now, you can hop over the break and see the latest videos released by the Corvette National Museum, including “before footage” of the affected Skydome area as well as yesterday’s press conference.
By John Halas
PHOTO GALLERY
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