This message was edited on
June 13, 2007 at
04:26:37 PM by racephoto
I have posted a Photo Gallery from the National Corvette Museum(6/5/07).
Use the link below and then click on the gallery you wish to view.
http://www.pbase.com/jmsprophoto/main_gallery_page
Motorsport's Photography by Joe Secka and Mike Gbur at JMS ProPhoto
If you're not car crazy you might want to click on to another thread right here, otherwise read on.
I've been car crazy since I was about 10-12 years old or maybe before that. I spent about 15 years doing body and paint work including restorations and customs. After/during that time, I worked for 40 years in an auto factory. The last 10-12 years I have been behind the camera shooting motorsports. I have traveled to races, cruises, car shows and museums more times than I can remember. Yes, I'm car crazy!
However, this day was unlike anything I have ever experienced before. On June 5th of this year, I had the opportunity to shoot a Corvette museum delivery event.
New Vette buyers have an option to take delivery of their new "baby" at the National Corvette Museum. The museum is virtually next door to the Corvette factory in Bowling Green, KY. The day starts out with a personal tour through the factory (no cameras allowed here). As much as it seemed like your typical auto factory, it was that much different. I was simply amazed at the friendliness of the employees.
After the factory tour, there is a walk through the museum. The amount of memorabilia, artwork and Corvette collectibles is outdone by one of the finest car collections I have ever seen. Full wall murals and dioramas are in abundance. Our personal tour guide provided a thorough insight into the history of what certainly has to be one of, if not the, American hot rod icon. We heard about the early conceptual days through times where the Vette was almost dropped from production. The presentation covered Corvette performance accomplishments I had never before heard of.
The story boards described just about every car on display. Most Corvettes are on loan from their owners. There is the only Corvette ever titled to Zora Arkus Duntoff, the legendary GM performance guru. Indy 500 Pace Cars have a display all of their own. The 1,000,000th Corvette produced is also on site. The only existing 1983 Corvette stands its ground in the upper section of the museum. Of course it is one of the cars I somehow failed to take a photo of even though I snapped the story board. Doh!
The GM design genius, Bill Mitchell, has been appropriately given his own section at NCM. Bill was born in Cleveland, OH and raised in Greenville, PA. He was responsible for the 1963 Buick Riviera and Corvette Stingray designs.
I could go on and on, about the museum but only a visit will do it justice. The display changes, so I definitely plan on a return trip. Even if you're not taking delivery of a new Vette, this is a trip worth taking. Nearby is Beech Bend Raceway Park, so you can make a great trip even better. There is a paved oval and drag strip along with a, get this, amusement park! They race on Tuesday, Friday Saturday & Sunday.
The National Corvette Museum is a not-for-profit foundation that exists though gifts, donations and fund raisers.
BTW: No it was not me taking delivery of the Le Mans Blue 2007 Corvette, unfortunately.
Maybe someday though! We all have to have a dream or two, don't we?
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Other recent galleries posted:
Sharon Speedway - 6/9/07
Lernerville Speedway - ASCoC Sprints - 6/5/07
Sharon Speedway - WoO Sprints - 6/1/07
Mansfield Motorsports Park - Craftsman Truck Series 5/25-26/07
To view the gallery in slideshow format, click "SLIDESHOW" in the upper right corner of the gallery you wish to view. Galleries are best viewed in original size. Small & medium sizes will work well with dial-up or slower connections.
JMS ProPhoto
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