Support for ’Vettes
It was a pleasant surprise to read Michael Milne’s resumé of the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky (Classic shrine, October). I am fortunate to have visited this wonderful museum a number of times, but have yet to see the latest enhancements completed in the past few years that have almost doubled the display space and added the Motorsports Park, on adjacent land.
At the heart of the MSP is a purpose-built 3.1-mile circuit that gives owners the chance to drive their own Corvette, or be driven in one of the museum’s track-specific cars, as well as providing a test facility for the multi-le Mans-winning factory racing team. It is perhaps worth mentioning that, despite being just ‘across the road’ from the Corvette Assembly Plant, the NCM receives no direct funding from GM, and has relied on donations and membership to grow.
In 2019, the NCM celebrates its 25th anniversary and thousands of Corvettes will converge on the museum from all over the USA, joined by enthusiasts from the worldwide Corvette community. I can say from experience that, as the cars roll in, the roads around Bowling Green will be lined with spectators, all keen to show their admiration for and appreciation of ‘America’s Sports Car’.
Unfortunately, the Corvette doesn’t get the same reception in the UK, where it is overlooked and underappreciated. During the 28-year ownership of my own 1978 Corvette, and as an area rep for the Classic Corvette Club UK, I continually tried to bring the Corvette into the consciousness of Britain’s classic-car community. However, Corvettes rarely feature in the classic press, and if they do are often saddled with inaccurate, ill-researched stereotypes, which unfortunately deters owners of many of the UK’S superb examples from submitting their cars for test.
The situation is very different in Europe, and the fascination that France has for the Corvette played no small part in our decision to move here in 2004. It seems that everyone is able to identify a Corvette, and the most unlikely people will engage in knowledgeable conversation about specific Corvette generations and years.
I remain hopeful that more articles like Michael’s will kindle a greater appreciation of Corvettes in your pages – and, who knows, instead of the slightly passé Mustang, perhaps C&SC’S Our classics fleet may one day include an example of America’s Sports Car? Stephen Irons
Via email