[VIDEO] Route 66 Corvette Mural Returns to Joplin After Receiving a Refresh

Even half-Corvettes can get a little run down when they’re exposed 24/7 to the elements for nearly a decade.

We’re talking, of course, about the famous Route 66 Mural Park Corvette that has adorned the side of the old Pearl Brothers Hardware building in downtown Joplin, Missouri.

Since being installed in late 2013 near the intersection of Seventh and Main streets, the mock red 1964 Corvette has served as the backdrop for countless photos by tourists who are traveling along Historic Route 66, a road long associated with Chevy’s sports car since its starring role in the classic TV series “Route 66.” Indeed, the route once ran south on Main to Seventh in Joplin and then west on Seventh to Kansas.

But after nearly 10 years of being bombarded by Mother Nature, not to mention the ravages of a skateboarder, the half-Corvette was in serious need of a facelift.

The Corvette was removed in January, and MHC Kenworth of Joplin provided the necessary repairs free of charge. Monday morning, the car was back in its usual place on the wall, and KSN16 News reports that two visitors quickly stopped to take photos soon afterwards.

“One of the goals of Route 66 Park back in 2013 was to give something for people to slow down and be able to partake in and Route 66 downtown,” Patrick Tuttle of Joplin CVB told KSN reporter Stuart Price. “And this has been an important part of it. People are traveling the route, stop here, engage in it, [and] we use it in our marketing so they’re aware of it and it’s definitely a landmark in town now.”

Historic Route 66 led travelers through the heart of Joplin in the mid-20th century. Now, on the same street, displayed above the half-Corvette, two large tile murals also play homage to that era: Cruisin’ into Joplin and “The American Ribbon.”

Source:
fourstateshomepage.com

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