2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray Resumes Museum-Delivery, Plant-Visit Programs

As was the case with past models, the 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray is being welcomed with passion by players on both sides of the ball—including those who build the cars and those who buy them—and that enthusiasm is now once again on full display in an array of special delivery programs and behind-the-scenes plant tours celebrating the new Stingray.

Home base for all the action is Bowling Green, Kentucky, where the National Corvette Museum and the sole manufacturing plant for the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray are located. The two facilities are right next-door to each other, in fact, allowing them to combine their efforts in providing exclusive opportunities for new owners.

“These are truly unique programs and opportunities for customers, because no other manufacturer allows such personal access to the assembly and delivery of their cars,” said Wendell Strode, executive director of the National Corvette Museum. “They make the magic of Corvette ownership more special with memories that will last a lifetime.”

Now, to be clear here, Chevrolet has been providing backstage access to Corvette production ever since it began in Bowling Green more than three decades ago. However, the programs had been suspended during the launch of the all-new 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray. With the first models already reaching dealerships, starting from $51,995, the Bowtie Brand has opened the gates once again, and it's not just owners who are invited. The Museum and walking tours of the Bowling Green plant are open to the public, although folks are urged to visit www.CorvetteMuseum.org and www.CorvetteAssebly.com for details, pricing and reservations.

Said Dave Tatman, plant manager at Bowling Green Assembly: "We are delighted to invite the public back into our facility, so we can continue our close-knit customer relationships and educate enthusiasts from around the world."

What exactly do these programs offer? Let's find out ... .

Delivery Programs for the 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray

Chevrolet dealers make it particularly easy for owners to pick up their 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingrays directly at the National Corvette Museum by offering the package through the regular ordering process. Buyers need only check option code R8C, currently priced at $990, to begin the process. Customers must handle their own travel arrangements, but museum representatives will work with them to coordinate the delivery date.

And this is literally a chance to take delivery at the museum, with each owner's car actually on display in the facility's showroom when the customer arrives. Also part of the package are a private tour of the Bowling Green Assembly Plant, a personalized demonstration of the features on the 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray, and more.

The experience can then be further enhanced with exclusive Buyer's Tour and Corvette Photo Album packages. With the former, a car's dealer order number is used to determine the expected build date of a customer's car, then he or she gets to follow it through the production process from body assembly to when it rolls off the line in ready-to-drive condition. The cost of this program is $800 and further includes a behind-the-scenes plant tour that covers areas not visited by the public tours. (Note: Per GM, "Because of scheduling changes that occur day to day at the plant, customers are not guaranteed to see their car's assembly.")

The museum also offers a leather-bound, 15- x 12-inch photo album that captures the production process behind a customer's Corvette for posterity. Some 20 pages of pictures and text, along with a certificate of authenticity, are included in the album, which is currently listed at $700. Just remember that, although customers can order an album even if they take delivery at their local dealership, if they do combine it with a Buyers Tour they can enjoy both for $1,300-—a $200 discount as compared to buying both separately.