Lori Hale Donates Beloved 1954 Corvette to the National Corvette Museum

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Lori Hale Donates Beloved 1954 Corvette to the National Corvette Museum

To say this 1954 Corvette owned by Lori and Morey Hale is just a car would be a major understatement. Like many Corvette owners, their C1 Corvette played a major role throughout their lives – from when Morey courted Lori to when they got married in it in Carson City. Now, after a lifetime of memories, the Corvette was offered a new home after Lori donated the car to the National Corvette Museum.

“My husband Morey, bought the car before we were married. We went on our dates in it, we got married in it in Carson City, and for 46 years we traveled all over in it. We never considered getting rid of it, trading it in or restoring it. He called it a ‘survivor’ and wanted it left untouched.” Morey drove it all the way up until he was 90, when he got heat stroke and passed away.

Lori continued to drive the car in parades and club events, but ultimately decided that it was time to give the Corvette to the Museum.

“The Corvette community really is a family. Leaving the car here is like leaving it with family, where everyone can continue to enjoy it for many years to come. Morey would have wanted it this way. He actually said that’s what he thought should happen to it.”

Lori drove her Corvette for the last time on Tuesday, taking it for a trip down Victory Lane and Corvette Boulevard inside the National Corvette Museum. She smiled as she made the turn past the Corvette Store to the cheering of staff and guests, before parking it in front of the Corvette Café and handing over the keys to Museum Director Wendell Strode.

Lori Hale Donates Beloved 1954 Corvette to the National Corvette Museum Lori Hale Donates Beloved 1954 Corvette to the National Corvette Museum Lori Hale Donates Beloved 1954 Corvette to the National Corvette Museum

Lori hopes that the Corvette can be enjoyed by Corvette lovers of all ages, but especially children.

“They can’t hurt it.” Lori laughs. “I hope you’ll take it to schools and let kids sit in it. They always loved sitting in it at car shows and getting their pictures taken in it. Morey enjoyed that more than anything else. It would be nice to know that future generations were falling in love with Corvette because of this car.”

Many thanks to Lori and Morey for sharing their beloved Corvette with the rest of their Corvette family at the National Corvette Museum.


Source:
National Corvette Museum

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