The National Corvette Museum has embarked on a major exhibit remodel bringing one of the Museum’s earliest display spaces up to date with a design that truly reflects the sleek and stylish nature of America’s favorite sports car.
“The Performance Gallery is one space in the Museum that has been around since the building’s grand opening over 25 years ago,” said Derek E. Moore, Director of Collections / Curator for the Museum. “In the early days an elevated ‘racetrack’ was in place to give display cars a feeling of motion and being on the grid, but due to difficulties changing out the vehicles, was later removed. The space has housed an interactive pit crew challenge, educational driving simulator and various artifacts through the years, but now needs more than a refresh. It’s time for an overhaul!”
In 2018 the Museum met with an exhibit company to get ideas and renderings on what the new space could look like. “We wanted not only a clean look, but also a space that would lend itself to showcasing historic racing videos and stories about each car on display. The concept is to have projection with each car, as well as digital labels that allow visitors to learn more through an interactive experience,” said Moore. “Rather than remove or paint over the existing racing mural, we will install a secondary wall that keeps it protected and intact behind the scenes.”
Funding for the exhibit was garnered through a private donation.
“It’s America’s Sports Car. In terms of car and performance for the money, in large measure, the Corvette street car can hold its own against the top sports car manufacturers around the world. It’s always something the common man can get into. My love of Corvettes carried over from my father. As soon as I could get one, I got one. We have a place that is celebrating the brand, celebrating the marquee, and the huge history of it. Having known there was a time that there was a prospect that the program was going to shut down – it’s almost unfathomable that we are now to the C8. We are to Zora’s dream of having a mid-engine and I’m ecstatic. I hope it will do what GM has been hoping for a long time and that is to bring in younger customers. I think’s it’s really cool we are doing this renovation to the Museum to have something more interactive, to have something the younger people will appreciate and be able to learn how unique Corvette is, and frankly sports car history.”
The new exhibit is planned to open in late March, 2020 – with an official ribbon cutting slated to take place during the Michelin NCM Bash April 23-25.
