The world has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the all-new, mid-engine C8 Corvette into dealer’s delivery areas for weeks. Thankfully, cars began flowing out of the Corvette Assembly Plant’s waiting area this past week with photos and videos of their arrival popping up on social media sites more often than a Coronavirus update.
Many enthusiasts opt to have their Corvette delivered through the National Corvette Museum’s R8C program, which diverts their Corvette directly across the road from the Corvette assembly plant and into the caring and capable hands of the folks at the NCM. When ordering a new Corvette, customers have the opportunity to select option “R8C,” which designates the car for pickup at the NCM.
The $995 option includes a red-carpet, VIP experience featuring specific signage welcoming the car’s new owners to the Museum. There is a guided tour of the NCM, where THEIR Corvette will be prominently displayed. They will receive a detailed introduction and orientation of their new Corvette, which is followed by a celebratory drive out of the Museum, with accompanying photos.
The fun continues beyond the walls of the National Corvette Museum, as enthusiasts can opt to take an NCM Motorsports Park-owned C8 Corvette – conveniently parked at the NCM Motorsports Park located directly across the interstate from the NCM – for some touring laps around the road course. There will also be guided tours of the 2020 Corvette production line at the Corvette Assembly Plant once tours again become available.
Other options available only through the NCM’s R8C program include R8C-specific badging such as the unique decal on the inside of the driver’s door, a special R8C lapel pin and license plate frame, a commemorative plaque, and an interior nameplate that features the customer’s name, date of delivery and the car’s VIN. There is also other NCM Delivery merch available only to those who choose to make use of this option.
The First Of Many
The NCM streams its Delivery Program through a series of webcams placed throughout the delivery area. In fact, much of the NCM can be experienced through their series of webcams, both inside and outside the NCM (although, NOTHING could compare to a personal visit to the National Corvette Museum).
The first 2020 Corvette delivery began today, March 10, 2020, at 10:30 am and was streamed on the NCM’s Delivery Cam 4. The happy new owner of this C8 is none other than NCM Chairman of the Board, Glenn Johnson and his wife, Andrea. Celebrating the event with Glenn and Andrea are Dr. Sean Preston, President and CEO of the National Corvette Museum and Kai Spande, Plant Manager of General Motors’ Bowling Green Assembly. The National Corvette Museum posted the video of the delivery on its Facebook page. You can check out that video below.
Glenn and Andrea’s Corvette, VIN 29, a Torch Red Stingray Coupe, arrived on Friday, March 6th, along with ten other R8C optioned cars and one car for the NCM Motorsports Park. This was the first R8C Delivery for the Johnsons, and the sixth Corvette they have owned. The Johnsons first purchased a 1982 Corvette, which they kept for several years. In 2005 he and wife, Andrea, had retired and shortly thereafter purchased a 2007 Convertible. While googling Corvette, Glenn came across the website for the National Corvette Museum and decided to join as a member. The Johnsons continued to immerse themselves in all things Corvette and have joined various Museum giving groups including the Spire Society, NCM Circle of Friends, and annual Winner’s Circle. Andrea joined Elfi’s Silver Pearl Sisterhood as well.
The National Corvette Museum is on track to deliver nearly 600 C8 Corvettes this year, the 25th year since it started the R8C Delivery program. Since its inception, the NCM has delivered over 12,000 Corvettes to enthusiasts. Each delivery is captured on one of the NCM’s web-cams and can be viewed online via the Museum’s website.