Join the NCM’s 1962 ‘Sinkhole’ Corvette for the Final Car Show on the Deck of the USS Lexington

Thanks to the generosity of a Corvette enthusiast, the National Corvette Museum will be a proud participant next weekend in the final car show ever to be held on the aircraft carrier USS Lexington.

Bill Thomas and his wife, Sharon, who made a trip to the Museum immediately after purchasing their 2016 Z51, paid the registration fee for the NCM to participate in America: The Car Show that will be held aboard the USS Lexington on Saturday, Oct. 5 and Sunday, Oct. 6.

The USS Lexington rests in Corpus Christi Bay, just across the ship channel from downtown Corpus Christi, Texas.

The Museum has decided to take the 1962 Tuxedo Black Corvette that was swallowed by the infamous 2014 sinkhole and eventually underwent a year-long restoration that was revealed on the fourth anniversary of the sinkhole in 2018.

“This is an opportunity to not only share the sinkhole story outside of the Museum, but an opportunity to showcase and educate people on how the Museum is able to preserve and care for the collections of the Museum,” says Derek Moore, director of collections / curator. “Participation in this final car show on the USS Lexington adds yet another piece of history to our 1962 Corvette.”

America: The Car Show includes all makes and models, including Corvettes, Camaros, GTOs, 442s, Chevelles, Mustangs, and even branded race cars, an official Batmobile, and Jurassic Park Jeep #29.

“The first car onto the flight deck at 5 a.m. Saturday, after leading the last leg of the snowball cruise from San Antonio, will be Bill and Sharon with their 2016,” said Island Tom, director of the event. “He has also earned the honorary title of ‘Show Boss’ for this year’s event.”

Thomas has been part of the shows for the 11 years that the USS Lexington has been hosting them, Island Tom said.

“(Bill) volunteered for the first show as leader of our snowball cruise and has been involved ever since,” Island Tom said. “He was recently diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer so this year we wanted to honor him and his involvement, and he, in turn, wanted to involve the car he loves so much.”

Thanks to the Thomases’ generosity, during the load-in, the Museum’s 1962 Corvette will be honored as the final vehicle to drive aboard the USS Lexington for this final car show on her flight deck.

Event activities include the snowball run, aerial photos, including the full flight deck from all angles, Meet & Greet, an optional VIP Reception with live music, photos and videos of all vehicles for Amazon’s Book of Muscle Cars and more. Registration for vehicles is $199 ($150 of which is paid directly to the USS Lexington) and closes when full, or day of show if space allows. Admission for spectators is general admission to the carrier ($16.95 adults age 13 and up, $14.95 seniors and military, $11.95 children ages 4-12). Learn more and register at www.AmericaCarShow.us.

For more information on the USS Lexington, visit www.usslexington.com.

Source:
National Corvette Museum

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