In September 1995 a program began at the Museum where Corvette customers, when ordering their new car from Chevrolet dealers across the U.S., can select option code “R8C” designating that they will take delivery of their car at the Museum. The program includes a personal V.I.P. tour of the Plant and Museum, a detailed hands-on Corvette introduction and feature demonstration by a trained delivery team member, an engraved plaque, a Museum Delivery door jamb decal, and a one-year individual membership to the Museum. The Museum has delivered new Corvettes to buyers from every state, including Alaska and Hawaii.
“Corvette owners really enjoy red carpet treatment, and what better place to receive that than at the Home of Corvette?” said Shane Webb, Museum Delivery Manager. “We have delivered over 1,700 seventh generation Corvettes in the past 17 months alone, so not only is the latest model Corvette growing in popularity, but our Delivery program is as well,” he added. The Museum ranked 2nd in number of Corvettes delivered in 2014.
Dave Effler of Aurora, CO was surprised on November 13, 2014 when he received a phone call telling him he had won a Corvette raffle sponsored by the Museum – and he was again surprised upon arriving at the Museum on Friday – learning that his car was the milestone 10,000th R8C delivery.
“Several years ago I came through the Museum with a friend and learned about the raffles, and dreamed of someday driving out of here in my own Corvette,” Dave recalls. “The night before this raffle came up I saw that there were still tickets available so right before I went to bed I hit purchase.” The next day Dave missed the call telling him he was the winner because he was in a business meeting. But as he checked messages on his way back to the office, he was in for a big surprise. “I nearly passed out,” he laughs.
He called his wife Susan, and left a message to call him back. “He said it was an emergency so naturally I thought family medical emergency. When I finally reached him he said, ‘you are never going to believe this, but we won a Corvette.’”
“We’ve always said that a Corvette would be our last big vehicle purchase for retirement, weekend trips and driving around the mountains in,” Susan says with a smile. “We kept saying, one of these days we’re going to get a Corvette. Today is the day.”
Because this was a “Build Your Own” Corvette raffle where the winner gets to pick out all of the options of the car, they went all-out putting together their dream Corvette – a 2015 Shark Gray Z51 Corvette Coupe. “It’s been pretty exciting,” Susan says. “This process of creating and putting together all of the options that he wanted. It’s almost been like the delivery of a baby. We’ve been waiting months for this. The anticipation and excitement… it’s like he is 16 again.”
She should know as they were high school sweethearts. Dave looks at her and smiles. “My friends have all known just how long I’ve loved and lusted for a Corvette. Susan is my first love from high school, and this car is my second love.”
To commemorate the day, Dave was presented with a slate build sheet and window sticker for his car, and a framed photo of the experience – signed by all those involved with the Delivery. A special brick will also be placed in the walkway outside the Museum’s Delivery area, engraved with his name, the date and 10k Delivery.
“Being the 10,000th delivery is just icing on the cake,” Dave says. “The whole experience with the staff, and this extra attention, has just been great.”
“We are very proud to share this experience with Dave,” said Wendell Strode, Museum Executive Director. “We hope others who are purchasing a new Corvette will consider checking out the many programs we offer that provide hands-on, behind-the-scenes and V.I.P. experiences with your new car.”
In addition to the R8C Museum Delivery Program, the Museum offers Buyers’ Tours, Photo Albums, Engine Build Experiences, Personalized Plate Packages, Xperiences and V.I.P. Tours.
The Museum shares the excitement of the delivery experience with thousands, via the Museum’s webcams available online at corvettemuseum.org/webcam. Information on the Corvette Museum Delivery Program option is available through Chevrolet dealers across the United States, by calling the National Corvette Museum at (800) 205-4248, or by logging on to corvettemuseum.org.
The National Corvette Museum is the ‘Gateway to All Things Corvette’ and a member-driven, 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation. Weekly news on the latest Corvette developments, racing updates, event features and raffles are available by subscribing to “NCM eNews” at: corvettemuseum.org/ncmenews. Dedicated to the mission of celebration, education and preservation, the Museum is open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT - located at Exit 28 on I-65 in Bowling Green, KY.
