GM To Restore Damaged Corvettes

DETROIT – (WWJ) The eight Corvettes damaged when a sinkhole opened beneath the National Corvette Museum will be restored by the company that built them.

GM says Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design, will personally oversee the restoration.

Two of the eight cars were on loan from General Motors. The museum is in Bowling Green Kentucky, near the plant that builds the Corvette.

"The vehicles at the National Corvette Museum are some of the most significant in automotive history," said Mark Reuss, executive vice president of General Motors Global Product Development. "There can only be one 1-millionth Corvette ever built. We want to ensure as many of the damaged cars are restored as possible so fans from around the world can enjoy them when the Museum reopens."

After the cars are recovered, they will be shipped to GM's Warren Tech Center. First stop is the Mechanical Assembly facility, which the company describes as a small specialty shop within GM Design. That's where they will decide on the proper restoration approach for each vehicle.

Mechanical Assembly currently maintains and restores many of the vehicles that are in GM's Heritage Collection. It's been a part of the company since the 1930's.

The National Corvette Museum is independently owned, and supported solely by charitable donations from enthusiasts. It is currently accepting donations on its website to assist in refurbishing the facility.

Donations are tax-deductible.

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