National Corvette Museum creates new spotlight for the only 1983 Corvette
in existence
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| The 1983 Exhibit, as it looked in the Skydome January 2014. |
All thanks to the generosity of the Dyer Family, the
National Corvette Museum is proud to finally have a proper exhibit for the only
1983 Corvette in existence. In memory of
Calvin and Frances Dyer, both Corvette enthusiasts, the Dyer family presented
the National Corvette Museum with a grant to be used towards a new 1983
Corvette display.
The 1983 Corvette exhibit, previously located in the Skydome
of the Museum, was originally mixed in with other Corvettes, simply blending in
with its surroundings. Just prior to the sinkhole, the Corvette was placed on
one of the pedestals in the Skydome.
Today, while renovations in the Skydome are in progress, the 1983 is
featured in the Gateway of the Museum, earning the attention it deserves.
“A truss surrounds the car holding informational, graphic
panels that help tell the story,” said Bob Hellmann, Facilities & Display
Manager. “Thanks to Final Finish, Adam’s
Polishes and Heartland Media who sent representatives to finalize the truss display
as well as cleaning and revitalizing the car, we now have an eye-catching
showcase for this historical American sports car.”
A video with former Corvette Chief Engineer, Dave McLellan, provides
museum goers with a brief history of the 1983 Corvette on display.
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| The 1983 in its temporary home, the Gateway area of the Museum. |
The 1983 Corvette is unique due to the fact that out of the
43 Corvettes manufactured for the 1983 model year, only one survived. With new technology and new designs in mind,
big changes were to come from the 1983 Corvette.
In the video at the exhibit, McLellan explains that the fourth
generation of Corvette conceptually began back in 1979/1980. “We were trying to
figure out how to bring the car back to date in all aspects,” said McLellan. “There
was new technology that hadn’t been used in Chevrolet or in any automotive
yet.”
However, due to production issues, General Motors could not
justify going through the government certification process so late in the
production year. This resulted in the Corvette missing its own 30th
anniversary.
Instead, the new C4 generation would be introduced in 1984
with the 43 cars assembled for the 1983 model year being used to sort out production
details, engineering evaluations and car crash testing. Forty-two of the cars
assembled were later destroyed, except for number 23, which retired to the
National Corvette Museum.
The Dyer Family Foundation made the special display possible,
helping the Museum properly highlight and share the history of this unique car.
Calvin and Frances Dyer had a special place in their hearts for Corvette and
personally owned four: a 1986, 1989, 1991 ZR1 and 1997. “We are so appreciative
of the Dyer Family Foundation’s gift to help further the Museum’s mission of
celebrating, preserving and educating visitors about Corvette,” said Museum
Executive Director, Wendell Strode.
The Museum is open daily, 8am-5pm CT and is located off I-65
exit 28 in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Learn more at www.corvettemuseum.org
or call 800-538-3883.
