Restored 1 Millionth Corvette Unveiled at the National Corvette Museum

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Restored 1 Millionth Corvette Unveiled at the National Corvette Museum


Back in June we showed you the midway progress in General Motors’ restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette produced. The prized Corvette was one of the Great 8 that were swallowed up by the sinkhole that opened up in the National Corvette Museum’s Skydome back in February of 2014. Nearly a year and half later we’re happy to report that the restoration is complete and that the car was unveiled at the NCM earlier this morning.

The overhaul of the white 1992 convertible took over four months and some 1,200 man-hours of work. The rebuild team was made up of approximately 30 people from GM Design’s Mechanical Assembly group and GM Service Operations. The group, which was represented by UAW locals 160 and 1869, pledged to preserve and repair as of the original car as possible.

“Chevrolet is proud to have helped restore this extremely significant car in Corvette’s long, storied history,” said Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. “When we disassembled it, we found that each employee involved in building it had signed a part of the car, which was fantastic and moving to see. It brought the history to life, and reinforced the importance of the project.”

Restored 1 Millionth Corvette Unveiled at the National Corvette Museum


Only two of the hundreds of signed components were not able to be saved. On those parts the autographs were scanned, reproduced as transfers, and placed on the new parts. Only 1 signature couldn’t be preserved – that of Angela Lamb. To maintain the car’s heritage Chevrolet worked with the National Corvette Museum and were able to score a new signature from Lamb on that replacement component.

Some of the major parts replaced included the hood, front fascia, and the gill panels between the front wheels and the doors. Many miscellaneous supporting bits under the hood were replaced as well. Most parts were sourced from another white C4 to maintain correctness. Other items like the rear fascia and front exhaust system were carefully repaired because they were covered in signatures.

Restored 1 Millionth Corvette Unveiled at the National Corvette Museum


The front sub-frame was straightened, and the original wheels were damaged, but reconditioned. They still wear the original Goodyear Eagle GS-C tires in which they were wrapped back in 1992. The instrument panel’s soft cover was removed and replaced in order to preserve all of the signatures beneath it. The bright red leather seats with their unique “1,000,000th Corvette” embroidered headrest logos were carefully restored including some replacement patches of the same leather. The LT1 engine, automatic transmission, the rest of the drivetrain were found to be still in good working condition. Interestingly, the crushed windshield header did not have to be replaced. The team was able move it back to its original location.

Restored 1 Millionth Corvette Unveiled at the National Corvette Museum Restored 1 Millionth Corvette Unveiled at the National Corvette Museum Restored 1 Millionth Corvette Unveiled at the National Corvette Museum
Restored 1 Millionth Corvette Unveiled at the National Corvette Museum Restored 1 Millionth Corvette Unveiled at the National Corvette Museum Restored 1 Millionth Corvette Unveiled at the National Corvette Museum


“The header restoration was a wonderful surprise for what everyone assumed would be the toughest aspect of the restoration,” said David Bolognino, director of GM Global Design Fabrication Operations. “With access to the original specifications, we got it spot-on – and even the new windshield glass dropped in perfectly.”

Lastly, the “1,000,000th” windshield banner was able to be reproduced using the same computer graphic file used to create the original.

Now with the restoration complete, the 1 millionth Corvette will take its rightful place back on display inside the National Corvette Museum. It will be on display starting today, continuing through the NCM’s 21st anniversary celebration this weekend, and beyond.

Restored 1 Millionth Corvette Unveiled at the National Corvette Museum
Photo Credit: National Corvette Museum


Source:
General Motors

Related:
[PICS] The National Corvette Museum Skydome Reopens to the Public
[PICS] General Motors Shows off Restoration Progress on the 1 Millionth Corvette
General Motors to Restore the 1992 ‘One Millionth’ Corvette Rescued from Sinkhole

 



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