DeLongs Donate Second Corvette

Jack and Dor DeLong are more than friends to the National Corvette Museum, they are family. They come to Bowling Green often to visit their Museum family, and participate in many of Museum in Motion events as well.  They are Museum Lifetime Members who have made donations, bought bricks and “purchased” three acres in support the NCM Motorsports Park. A club ambassador and writer, Jack is always promoting the Corvette lifestyle and documenting his adventures with his wife and his Corvette family. With both of them, it is all about making and sharing special memories, so it was no surprise when they decided to take Museum delivery of their new C7 Corvette and donate their 1992 Corvette to the Museum at the same time. 

“This car is a special car to Dor and I,” Jack says with a smile on his face and glistening eyes. “It was a gift that we gave to ourselves when we reached a point in life where we could really enjoy it. It was the first car we ever took to the Museum, and the first car that we took back to its birthplace at the Assembly Plant. We put many thousands of miles on this car going to countless NASCAR races, club events, and road tours, making memories every mile along the way.”

As much as he loves his other Corvettes, when the C7 Corvette came out Jack was already thinking of the memories that could be made in it. To sell Dor on the idea, he parked their C6 next to one. Dor couldn’t resist walking around it.  “I looked at it and loved it. Especially the back end,” she said. “I told him right then to go get one.” Together they specked it out and decided to take the R8C delivery option at the Museum.

On May 27, 2014, with their Corvette family watching from all over the country on the Museum's web cams, Delivery Team Member Doug Johnson dropped the fob to the C7 in Dor’s open hands, while Jack dropped the keys of their 1992 into Museum Executive Director Wendell Strode’s hand. Surrounded by guests and staff who were smiling, clapping and cheering, another memory was made.

This is the second time the DeLongs have donated a Corvette to the Museum, the first being a few years ago when they delivered their 1988 Blue Metallic Vette.

Thank you Jack and Dor for donating another Corvette to the Museum and for taking delivery of your new one with us. We are so glad that you are a part of our family.

For information on how you can donate your car to the National Corvette Museum, go to: corvettemuseum.org/donations/autos.shtml

For information on taking delivery of your Corvette at the Museum go to: corvettemuseum.org/ncm_delivery/

To learn more about including the Museum in your estate planning email us at: giving@corvettemuseum.org

The Story of the 1962: David Donoho's Donated Vette

David Donoho was a die-hard Corvette enthusiast, developing an infatuation from a young age and even saving up enough money to buy his first – a brand new 1962 – when he was in high school.  David was so obsessed, in fact, that he earned the nickname “The Weather Man” because his friends would tease him about how closely he would watch the weather, and quickly take his Corvette home when there was a chance of rain.

David loved the car and had a kindred spirit towards the car… so when it came time to make plans for his estate he knew he wanted it to go to a loving home where it would be respected and cared for.  “David didn’t want it sold; he wanted it to remain well maintained by those who would protect it,” said longtime friend and attorney Beth Sease.  Beth had suggested David consider donating his prized vehicle to the National Corvette Museum.  “Wendell [Strode, Executive Director] visited and developed a relationship with David.  Wendell assured David that the Museum would preserve it according to his wishes.”

“David was an unassuming and simple man,” said Beth.  She added that as a long time blue-collar worker, David saved his money and invested it wisely to have the funds to support his Corvette hobby.  David was the proud owner of four Corvettes in his lifetime – a 1987, 2001 and 2006 (in addition to the 1962) and all were garage kept.  He personally cared for the cars and only had people he trusted do work on them.

As David’s health prevented him from being able to get out and enjoy the car, Beth encouraged him to donate his 1962 before his passing to reap maximum donation and tax benefits.  The car is black with red interior and mostly in its original condition – with the exception of the convertible top being replaced with a hard top.  In 2011, David turned over the keys to his beloved car – a car he had owned all of its life… just over 50 years.  Beth says that turning the car over to the museum seemed to be the best thing to benefit David and preserve his memory.

After various health issues, David passed on June 6, 2013 at the age of 76.  In his will he left another gift to the museum… funds to care for his car.  “David’s cash gift will help us ensure that his car is maintained in a way that would please him,” said Wendell.  “To be gifted a Corvette that has had only one owner and been kept in such great condition all these years is rare.”

On February 12, 2014 Mother Nature struck the Corvette Museum, taking David’s prized car several feet down into a sinkhole.  Luckily, the Corvette was one of the last to fall in and suffered minor damage in comparison to the others.  GM’s Design Center in Warren, MI will be overseeing the restoration of the car.  “While it breaks our heart that this happened to David’s car, we know that it will be in good hands with GM overseeing the repairs.  Several experts from the National Corvette Restorers Society have also reached out to offer their expertise,” said Wendell.  “We look forward to getting the car repaired and back to its former glory.”

2015 Corvette Offers Atlantic, Pacific Design Packages

Chevrolet announced today the 2015 Corvette Stingray will be available in two new Design Packages: the Atlantic luxury convertible and the Pacific performance coupe. They go on sale later this year with the rest of the 2015 Corvette Stingray lineup.

“One of the design goals for the Corvette Stingray was to provide customers with the flexibility to tailor the car to their personality,” said Kirk Bennion, Corvette exterior design manager. “The Atlantic and Pacific Design Packages were originally designed to showcase how the Stingray could be configured as a luxury sport GT car or as a high-performance motorsport car.”

The Corvette Stingray Atlantic convertible and Corvette Stingray Pacific coupe concepts were introduced last fall at the SEMA Show. A strong response from enthusiasts helped influence production. They are the latest Chevrolet concepts from SEMA that made concept to reality. Several Camaros, such as the Hot Wheels edition, and the Sonic Dusk are now in production.

“We plan to make news with the Corvette Stingray every year, in part by offering special-edition models that offer a unique, personal ownership experience,” said Todd Christensen, Corvette marketing manager. “Our customers have told us they appreciate these limited-edition models, which have become an important part of the Corvette’s legacy.”

Luxury GT-focused Atlantic Convertible
The 2015 Corvette Stingray Atlantic Design Package is inspired by the luxury and performance of private jets seen at European vacation destinations. Offered exclusively on Z51-equipped convertibles, it is available in 2LT or 3LT trims, with the following unique features and content:

• Front Z06-style splitter
• Shark Gray exterior vents, hood “stinger” graphic and tonneau inserts
• Chrome Torque wheels with Stingray center caps
• Stingray underhood liner and floor mats
• Custom splash guards, rear license plate frame and logo valve stem caps
• Custom luggage.

The Atlantic Design Package is available in all colors offered on the Corvette Stingray.

 

Track-focused Pacific Coupe
The 2015 Corvette Stingray Pacific Design Package is inspired by West Coast drivers who attend weekend track events. It is offered exclusively as a Z51-equipped coupe, in 2LT and 3LT trims, with the following unique content:

• Color choices of Torch Red, Black, Arctic White, Blade Silver and Shark Gray – a new color for 2015
• Satin black full-length racing stripes
• Satin black Z51 wheels with red stripe and Stingray center caps
• “CFZ” carbon fiber ground effects package and visible carbon fiber roof panel
• Carbon Flash rear spoiler, outside mirrors and exterior badges
• Red brake calipers
• Competition Sport Seats in red or black
• Carbon fiber interior trim, Stingray sill plates and Stingray floor mats
• Custom splash guards and rear license plate frame
• Indoor car cover (gray).

As with other 2015 models, Corvette’s new Performance Data Recorder is available on the Atlantic and Pacific, as well as an all-new eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission. A seven-speed manual transmission is standard.

The Performance Data Recorder combines the ability to record and share drive videos with the power of a professional-level telemetry system. With included software, users can analyze their laps to improve their driving and lap times. The system includes a high-definition camera integrated into the interior’s rearview mirror assembly.

The new paddle-shift eight-speed is designed to deliver world-class shift times that rival the best dual-clutch designs, and is expected to contribute up to 5-percent greater efficiency, when compared to the previous six-speed automatic. EPA estimates are pending.

National Corvette Museum and Motorspots Park Announces Three-Year Partnership with Michelin

The National Corvette Museum (NCM), over 1,000 Corvette enthusiasts and the community of Bowling Green gathered to celebrate the first official sponsorship of the NCM Motorsports Park. Michelin, a global tire manufacturer, has committed to a three-year sponsorship deal.

The sponsorship will name Michelin as the official tire of the NCM Motorsports Park and will provide the company with product privileges and displays at both the Museum and Park.
Michelin will also serve as the presenting sponsor for three events to be held at the NCM and Motorsports Park during the term of the contract.

“Michelin is pleased to extend our relationship with the Corvette community to include the exciting new NCM Motorsports Park,” said Silvia Mammone, motorsports and sponsorship marketing manager, Michelin North America.

“Since the Michelin technical partnership with Corvette Racing began in 2004, we have developed a strong relationship with Corvette owners and enthusiasts through the Corvette car corrals, the Ron Fellows Driving School at Spring Mountain, and more recently the National Corvette Museum,” said Mammone. “The fact that every new Corvette C7 Stingray and ZO6 Corvette now rolls out of Bowling Green exclusively on Michelin tires aligns perfectly with the launch of the NCM Motorsports Park and our growing relationship with the Corvette Nation.”

The NCM broke ground on the $25 million, 184-acre, dual-track Motorsports Park in June of 2013 and the venue is expected to attract more than 80,000 visitors each year. This will bring an estimated impact of $15 million in motorsports tourism and racing events revenues.

“In 2008 we purchased our first piece of land for a future motorsports park, and in 2013 we held our groundbreaking ceremony.  During that 5-year period our fundraising was primarily grassroots efforts – with key support from Corvette and automotive enthusiasts including individuals, clubs and small business owners,” stated Wendell Strode, Executive Director of the NCM. “This sponsorship from Michelin gives the project a big boost of momentum.  We are excited about the opportunities a partnership between Michelin, the Motorsports Park and the Museum will bring.”

In addition to the two circuits that combine to form a high speed loop of 1.96 miles to an extended 3.15 mile course, the park will also feature a control tower with classrooms, offices and meeting spaces; garages; a fueling station; overnight camping; and commercial property available for businesses that complement the operations of the park.   

“The National Corvette Museum has been a staple in the Bowling Green community since it first opened its doors and continues to be a contributor to the local economy attracting 150,000 visitors annually. Not only will the addition of the Motorsports Park increase the significant economic impact on the community, but the additional services and venues that will be available at the park will further the value of the region as an automotive hub. We are proud to be home to America’s Sports Car,” stated John Mark Fones, Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman.

To date, there are already more than 130 days booked at the track in the first year.

“In addition to the opportunities this sponsorship brings to the Motorsports Park, Museum and Michelin, we look forward to also working with Michelin as a customer at the Park for possible product launches, testing and consumer activities,” stated Mitch Wright, Motorsports Park General Manager.

The park is accepting reservations for car and motorcycles clubs, businesses, driving schools and other groups for racing events, high performance drivers’ education, corporate events and hospitality and other track functions. All makes and models are welcome.

For more information on the NCM Motorsports Park, visit http://www.motorsportspark.org/

What's Next for the National Corvette Museum

Operation Corvette Plus Team Meets to Review Sinkhole Findings, Discuss Skydome Plans

Last Tuesday, team members involved with the National Corvette Museum’s sinkhole recovery and remediation met to discuss the future of the Skydome and construction plan moving forward.  Presentations were made of all of the findings, from drillings, to microgravity readings, and the WKU cave and karst team’s exploration into the hole.

Dr. Jason Polk with WKU shared that the void discovered beneath the Skydome extended in two directions– one leading from the Skydome towards the Museum’s truck parking lot, and the other leading from the Skydome towards the pond.  Both cave areas start approximately 50 feet underground.  According to Dr. Polk, “You don’t typically have sinkholes without caves or voids of some type below them, so this finding was not surprising.”  He also indicated that in our area of Kentucky we drive through and around sinkholes and caves every day, with some types of sinkholes even being miles wide.  There are dozens of known, mapped caves in the Bowling Green city limits, and over 200 documented caves in Warren County.

Dr. Polk stated that they found mineral deposits which are indicative of dry conditions in the northern extension of the cave.  This information means that this portion of our cave is likely thousands of years old and has been there since long before the Museum was constructed.  The cave also probably hasn’t had flowing water in a very long time.

The team reviewed the construction documentation from the original building and Skydome.  Prior to construction of the building a geo-technical test was completed in accordance with normal standards.  They found nothing to indicate any problems.  “Normally if there is enough rock, it doesn’t matter what is below it,” said Danny Daniel of Scott, Murphy & Daniel Construction.  Daniel also indicated that rebar was not required in the concrete flooring of the Skydome.  “It’s no different than the floor of your garage at home.  Rebar was not needed to support the weight of the cars in the Skydome,” he added.  [EDITORS NOTE: SMD Construction did not build the original portion of the Museum]

The team thinks that our sinkhole was caused by the collapse of a portion of a cave roof, although they are still compiling data. Several things could have caused this, including the extra weight from clay soils above the roof becoming saturated from heavy rain. The team stressed that there is no reason for anyone to be any more concerned for safety here than any other area prone to significant karst development and sinkhole collapse, and it is important to note that much of Bowling Green/Warren County is located in just such an area.

Dr. Polk and Dr. Leslie North, also with WKU Center for Cave and Karst Studies, will be conducting a presentation on Saturday, April 26 at 3:15pm CT on the sinkhole collapse and how it happened. The presentation will be in the Museum's Conference Center.

Moving forward the team is exploring ways to rebuild the Skydome floor.  One such plan includes drilling with micro piles then adding beams to ensure the Skydome floor is fully secure.  The Museum is also exploring various ideas, which would in some way preserve a portion of the sinkhole, helping to tell the story of what is now Museum and Corvette history.  “We will continue to explore these ideas as the process has not moved along far enough to know if keeping a portion of the hole is feasible or not,” said Wendell Strode, Executive Director of the Museum.  “The interest in our sinkhole and the rescued Corvettes has been more than expected, and our attendance for March was up 56% over March of last year,” Strode added.  “Our special display focusing on this event is now open in our Exhibit Hall.  Current plans are to keep the cars on display as they are so that guests through the summer and especially the thousands attending our 20th Anniversary Celebration will have a chance to see the cars and witness the sinkhole for themselves.”

On Thursday the Museum received a donation of a 40th Anniversary “Ruby Red” Corvette. Lynda Patterson of Louisville, Kentucky donated her car in response to the news of the sinkhole swallowing another “Ruby.”  The complete release on Ms. Patterson’s car donation is available online here.

Representatives from GM will be meeting with the NCM next month to inspect each of the Great 8 and determine which ones are appropriate to be restored.  The Corvettes that are not restored will be kept on permanent display as part of preserving and telling the story of the February 12th Sinkhole Collapse.

Links to photos, videos and information related to the sinkhole are available on the Museum's website at www.corvettemuseum.org. For the latest updates visit the Museum’s Facebook Fan page at www.facebook.com/corvettemuseum.

Partnership Allows for Advanced Groundwater Monitoring at the National Corvette Museum Sinkhole

On February 12, 2014, a catastrophic sinkhole opened up at the National Corvette Museum (NCM) and swallowed in it eight rare Corvettes. Since then, a diverse team of professionals has been working together with the NCM, led by Scott, Murphy, & Daniel, LLC Construction, to assess and remediate the collapse. As part of this effort, Western Kentucky University (WKU) and project partners are collecting data to research the various environmental factors contributing to the cause and evolution of the sinkhole, as well as monitoring the area during the remediation. These types of collapse features are common in karst regions, like south-central Kentucky, where water flows underground and forms caves and voids as it dissolves away the bedrock.

Since water flowing underground is part of the process of sinkhole development over geologic time, and often difficult to research since it exists underground, a method to monitor stormwater and groundwater in karst regions that can capture high-resolution data about water movement is necessary. Recently, YSI, Incorporated designed a new, submersible water monitoring sonde, the EXO II, which is capable of capturing and logging high-resolution (every 10 minutes in this case), continuous data for several parameters, including water depth, pH, temperature, specific conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and others. This logger provides everything from Bluetooth accessibility to real-time monitoring capabilities with additional peripheral devices that are available, and can be used in wells, streams, or any other water monitoring location.  

Through a partnership between WKU’s Center for Water Resource Studies (WKU CWRS), Fondriest Environmental, YSI Incorporated, the City of Bowling Green Public Works Department, and the National Corvette Museum, one of these EXO II sondes outfitted with multiple water parameter probes was loaned to WKU CWRS for use at the NCM sinkhole site. The sonde is being used to monitor water in an adjacent pond area that serves to collect runoff and exists as a perched water feature, which can provide information as work continues of any changes in the water from the drilling process and storms that could pose a threat to the remediation process. This monitoring provides an additional measure of safety and data collection to help understand the dynamics of the sinkhole and its natural formation processes.

The data collected through this monitoring project will support efforts by K&S Engineering, Hayward Baker Incorporated, EnSafe, Scott, Murphy & Daniel, LLC, DDS Engineering, and other project partners in their collective work to remediate the sinkhole. It will simultaneously provide invaluable scientific information to WKU CWRS’s research on sinkhole processes and karst landscape evolution.

Dr. Jason Polk (Director, WKU CWRS) and his graduate student, Dan Nedvidek, are using these sondes in other locations in the City and elsewhere to monitor stormwater runoff and measure water quality and other parameters related to karst hydrology. Collectively, these data provide a new, advanced method by which the study of karst processes and hydrogeology can be studied to inform our understanding of groundwater and associated karst features, like sinkholes. Dr. Polk said, “Partnerships like this one with Fondriest and YSI are the essence of collaborative scientific research, and allow us the capabilities to collect data and quickly put together information to inform how to move forward in situations like this one. It’s a great benefit to be able to use new, advanced equipment that will lead the way for future research in this field and others.”

Special thanks to Paul Nieberding (Fondriest Environmental) and Brandon Smith (YSI, Incorporated) for their assistance in making this project possible.

For more information please contact: Dr. Jason Polk (jason.polk@wku.edu), at 270-745-5015, or @ProfJasonPolk on Twitter.

40th Anniversary Ruby Red Corvette Donated to Museum

Lynda Patterson of Louisville, KY Donates Car to "Replace" Museum's Sinkhole Ruby

On February 12, 2014, Lynda Patterson began getting phone calls and texts from friends and family about a sinkhole that opened up at the National Corvette Museum. She watched on television as the news broke showing video and still images of the cars that had fallen. Her heart sank as she locked right in on the 40^th Anniversary Corvette sticking tail up from the debris. As the owner of a 40^th Anniversary Corvette herself, it was almost like looking at her own car.

“It was quite a shock,” Lynda said. “Seeing that other Ruby in the hole made me think that maybe I should give ours to the Museum soon. Almost twenty years ago my husband Mike and I designated that our Ruby would go to the National Corvette Museum anyway. He died in 2012 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor a year earlier.” Thinking that he’d approve of giving the car to the Museum earlier instead of later, she made the call and asked if they wanted it. “The people at the Museum were very excited about having her. It made me feel good that the people there would be taking care of her.”

This wasn’t easy to do. When she showed up on April 17, 2014 to make it official, she had to fight back happy tears, often losing as she was overcome with emotion. “This is bitter-sweet. I’m so glad she’s coming here and will be enjoyed by so many.”

The Patterson’s bought the car 22 years ago. They had seen it in the showroom of Bob Smith Chevrolet and Lynda instantly fell in love with it. “I asked Mike what he thought about it it and he said, ‘If you want it, get it and take it home.’”  They had a 1991 black Corvette at the time that Mike called his “Batmobile” but he was fine with trading it in on the beautiful new Vette.

They enjoyed Corvette events in it, including a gathering of 40^th Anniversary Corvettes a few years ago at the Museum. Getting teary eyed Lynda says, “Some people may not get why I’d be so emotional about it, but it is more than a car… it is memories.”