We picked up our '17 Z06 convertible last Friday (10/21) and it was an amazing experience.
We flew into Nashville that Thursday night and it was raining cats and dogs. We opted for the Enterprise rental car (NCM drop off) and drove up to Bowling Green. The next morning we got up and the sun was shining, but it was in the 40's. We ate breakfast and headed to the museum. We were greeted by Larry and he took us back to do some paperwork, then we had to watch a video on factory safety. We were told we weren't allowed to take pictures once inside the plant.
Then we headed over to the GM factory. What an amazing experience to see Corvettes being assembled, about 95% by hand. The assembly line snakes through the entire building, starting with the frames. They move very slowly on a conveyor and each station has some workers installing different parts of the car. Most of the cars were indeed coming down the line in color batches. Seven or eight white ones in a row, seven or eight silver ones, etc etc.
When we got to the engine assembly room, our guide Larry asked us if we wanted to meet the person who built our engine. Her name is Rebecca Braun. He wasn't sure if she would be on shift at that time but he said if we wanted, he could go check and see if she would meet us. So after about four minutes he comes out with her and talked to her for a few minutes. It was so exciting! These factory workers take great pride in what they are doing. Many of the assembly line workers acknowledged us as we walked by and stopped near their station.
Once we got to the end of the tour, my wife and I were watching them prepare the cars to be driven off the assembly line. As we were watching, one of the ladies working there asked us "do you want to start this car for the very first time?". I looked at my wife and she looked at me and I told her to go start it! She got in and gave it life. Another worker walked up and told her to "stomp on the gas like she was stepping on a roach" lol. But first he told her to put the car in track mode. Vroooom Vroom! When she exited the car, they printed out a "Corvette birth certificate" to take home with us.
Once we returned to the museum, we ate lunch in the restaurant (which was actually very delicious), checked on insurance for our Z06, we took a tour and did some shopping in the gift shop. I bought some Adam's wax and detailer, a shirt for the wife and a hat for me.
Larry then went over the car in every aspect and once we were done, Larry drove the car out (with everyone applauding). We took some pictures outside and then headed out to the Natchez Trace trail to do some break-in miles before heading to Memphis. Unfortunately for us, once we got to the section of the Natchez, they were doing construction and tar was everywhere, so I turned back around and got back on I-40. Once we got to Memphis, we drove the car around all over the place to try to put some miles on it.
The next day we got up and headed out early to finish up getting our 500 miles in before we headed to Chuck Hutton Chevrolet for our first oil change. They took very good care of us and we made some new friends there, met with the General Manager. It was a great experience. It took about 3 hours to get our oil changed, but they don't take appointments on Saturdays and we got there late. I also had them check the rear diff fluid level while we were there since some people have noticed that the level was low from the factory. It was filled correctly.
We then headed to Texarkana and spent another night and drove home the next day. Worth every minute and every penny.
More pictures to come after I get the Brixton Forged M53s installed...