A Sinkhole Swallowed Cars at The Corvette Museum And Now Everyone Wants To Go | TIME.
A view of a sinkhole that opened up in the Skydome
Tourism up 50%….that’s great!!!
Tim
There is almost never a bad day for a car show, especially here in Southern Arizona. Today was cool and a bit overcast, but extremely windy and so much tree pollen (as well as other stuff) it covered anything standing still. That may have what caused the light turnout for cars as well as spectators for the 29th Annual Chevy Showdown, which is limited to classic cars (up to 1972 with a category for 73-89). This is put on by the Classic Chevy Club of Tucson and there were a few sub-clubs attending like the local Corvair and Nomad club.
But I’ve never had a bad time at a car show and this one had a lot to offer.
I attended the 27th Annual Chevy Showdown here in Tucson, AZ and the turnout was much higher that year and I saw at least one familiar car – I’ll cover that later.
I wanted to share the Corvettes that showed up. So here are some shots.
The only C3 to show.
C2 Showed up in force!
Sorry I didn’t get a good shot of the C1’s and no C4 showed.
More coming up from the Chevy Showdown.
Thanks for reading.
Tim
Here is a quick clip of the 84 PPG Pace Car recovery.
1,000,000th Corvette Recovery.
This are great!!
Thanks for reading.
Tim
Ok…Here is the latest graphic updating the rescued Corvettes from the sinkhole.
Three more to go!!!
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“Sad” is the only way to describe this once beautiful machine. I’ve seen this beauties many times during my visits to the museum (except the Blue Devil) that were or are in the sinkhole.
PPG Pace Car
This was a very unique vehicle. As you can see it was crushed with a slap of concrete. I think I read where one of the workers said it was “karate chopped”.
PPG Pace Car
Of all the damaged Vettes this one might just be the most impressive if they can restore it!!!!
Thanks for reading
Tim
4 More Corvettes still to be rescued.
1,000,000 Corvette was pulled from the sinkhole at the Corvette Museum today.
Thanks for reading.
Tim
http://corvettemuseum.blogspot.com/2014/03/millionth-corvette-unexpectedly-saved.html
“Initially there was no intention to bring the Millionth out, but as we got in there and saw more this morning we did feel like this might be our best chance,” said Danny Daniel, President of Scott, Murphy and Daniel Construction.
Danny indicated that they pulled the car by one wheel from where it was lodged and it swung free into the cavern. They were then able to lift the car and place it to rest, upside down on the bottom of the sinkhole. Finally, the Corvette was hooked up by its two tires for final lifting out of the sinkhole, much like the process to retrieve the 1993 40th Anniversary.
“Went like a champ, we were tickled to death,” added Daniel.
“The Millionth Corvette has been through a lot, but the damage at first glance seems to be less extensive than what it could have been, especially given the precarious spot the car landed,” said Bob Hellmann, Facilities and Displays Manager at the Museum. “The undercarriage and frame look to be in good condition and everything is repairable.”
The Millionth Corvette was built at 2:00pm on July 2, 1992 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Just like the first 1953 Corvettes, it bears a white exterior, red interior and is a convertible. The car was donated to the Corvette Museum by General Motors. In a press release from 1991, Jim Perkins, General Manager for Chevrolet at the time, said “We’ve been looking for a way to support the goals of the museum, which are to enshrine a great car and the great people who made it an American institution.” This donation came two years before the museum that exists today had opened its doors.
She looks a little rough to me.
I have to take a minute to give job well done to the crew working the rescue. Lots of people appreciate their efforts. I having pulled a RV from a 100 ravine with a tow truck, it’s nerve racking job….these guys are pros.
Thanks for reading.
Tim
Even if you aren’t a Corvette lover (WHAT?!??) you know or have heard of the L88. This was the designation of a racing engine used by GM in the Corvettes from 1967 – 1969 (0nly 3 years!!). (Now there was a LT1 – 88 hybrid dubbed the ZLZ – lower compression – same out put.)
The engine sported a racing-spec cam with high-flow aluminum heads. Toss in a couple of upgrades and you are looking at a compression ratio of 12.5:1 and rocking it at 430 hp!!!
And doesn’t it look great wrapped in that two-tone paint job.
This beauty was at my local hardware store. Yeah…I’d drive it there.
Yes that intake is the real deal!!!
Big Block L88
The thing about attending regional car shows in your region is there’ a very good chance that you are going to run some of the same cars, even in a show as big as this one. Oh..don’t get me wrong I love looking at them but writing about the same cars is not very rewarding. So I’m going to show you some of the cars I really enjoyed.
Of course I’m always drawn to the Vettes.
Maybe something in Satin?
Or maybe something with a bit of a sting-er
Or how about an Anniversary Grand Sport!!!
And this one made me miss my old C4.
Lots more to come from the Tucson Classic car show – including – dashes and one particularly rare and extremely AWESOME car!! (Oh..and it’s not a Corvette!!!)
Thanks for reading.
Tim
I kid you not…this is one of the most enjoyable car shows. You get to park your classic, muscle, racer, import or special purpose vehicle on the grass (yeah…lots of it) – no nasty dirt or melting tar parking areas. Grab that blanket out your trunk and spread out under a tree and enjoy!!!!
Oh….did I mention that for $5.00 you get into the show and you get a change to win this!!!!!
Go to Tucson Classics Car Show and get a ticket!!!!
I’ll be here.
Thanks for reading
Tim
