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Old 22 April 2009, 09:26 AM   #1
ratmotortom
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Special edition TT Sub Corvette edition

Hey all !

I spent the last two days in Bowling Green Kentucky at the Corvette assembly plant with one of our customers who was having his new ZR1 being built today.

As a precaution, they issued us all watch covers to precent any scratches to the Corvettes on the line ! Thought you might like a peek !





Here's a little recap of our trip for anyone who is interested in Corvettes.

Just got home from two great days in Bowling Green with a customer and his new ZR1. Spent a great two days in the plant with the car. Hats off to the entire staff of the plant and museum who went out of their way to make this a great experience for our customer and myself.

We watched the car from the beginning stages of production clear to the finish. We watched the engine being selected from inventory, watched the VIN being stamped on it as well as the engine being bolted to the transmission and driveline. We were able to examine the front and rear suspension before it was pulled to the line as well. We folowed the car until it had most body panels installed as well as the headlights. We closed the plant down on Monday and returned today, 4-21 to see the car through final assembly.

Today we saw the front facia, hood, wheels, engine shroud and all final details installed. Shortly after 9:00 am, the car touched the ground for the first time.

At 9:19am we had initial start up. By 10:10am the car entered the dynamic brake and roll test and at 10:13am it was being sprayed with water in the leak test booth. The car passed all tests required to leave the plant right away. Then out the back door it went to wait on the transport to deliver it to BUDS Chevrolet.

Thanks again to all of the staff at the museum and plant. Including Lori and Gary at the museum, the plant manager, the head of the paint department, all supervisors and assembly line workers who personally greeted our group. You built us one heck of a car and we appreciate it.

A special thanks to my good friend Bruce Robel who gave us the best damn plant tour I've ever had, and I've had a ton of em !!

If you'ver never been to the plant, make it a point to go. One of the best Corvette learning experinces you can have.
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Old 22 April 2009, 09:35 AM   #2
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Sounds like a great experience Tom, watching a supercar being born.

I'm surprised that you didn't wear this one there.
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Old 22 April 2009, 09:45 AM   #3
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I am tearing up as I type.
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Old 22 April 2009, 09:46 AM   #4
ratmotortom
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You got a good memory, Alcan !!!! I did think about wearing the Chevrolet watch, but thought gold and diamonds might have been a bit dressy for the assembly line !!!

Good to hear from ya ! Hope all is going well with you !
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Old 22 April 2009, 10:12 AM   #5
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Tom, sounds like a lot of fun watching the car being built!!!
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Old 22 April 2009, 10:34 AM   #6
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That must have been amazing, watching his car being built from the ground up. I would have wanted to sign it in some remote place before being fully assembled.
What an incredible event.
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Old 22 April 2009, 10:38 AM   #7
ratmotortom
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I would have wanted to sign it in some remote place before being fully assembled.
What an incredible event.
Oh yeah............... we did that !!!
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Old 22 April 2009, 11:33 AM   #8
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Sounds like a great trip, glad it all worked out. I wish I could have seen my '88 get built

Any pics or do they not allow them
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Old 22 April 2009, 12:39 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alcan View Post
Sounds like a great experience Tom, watching a supercar being born.

I'm surprised that you didn't wear this one there.
Now that is a great example of a company watch!

Why didn't domino's do that with a domino pattern in the background!

Makes me what to buy a chevy!
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Old 22 April 2009, 07:18 PM   #10
ratmotortom
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Now that is a great example of a company watch!

Why didn't domino's do that with a domino pattern in the background!

Makes me what to buy a chevy!
Thanks ! I'm quite fond of the bowtie dial too. They were special awards from Chevrolet and GM several years back.
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Old 22 April 2009, 07:19 PM   #11
ratmotortom
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Triple Black 88 View Post
Sounds like a great trip, glad it all worked out. I wish I could have seen my '88 get built

Any pics or do they not allow them
No pictures. The customer can request a photo tour though where a museum employee will document the build with photos from various stages of production.

The customer gets it in about 6 weeks.
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Old 22 April 2009, 07:58 PM   #12
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All I can say is wow , wish I was there
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Old 22 April 2009, 11:35 PM   #13
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I bet that was quite an experience. A good friend of mine (Larry Hayes) used to be the event coordinator at the NCM and he watched his car being built, with pictures, video and all. The finale was the delivery at the NCM. I used to own a Vette and still have the autographed pictures and posters that Dave Mcllelan (ex Corvette Engineer) sent to me.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ratmotortom View Post
Hey all !

I spent the last two days in Bowling Green Kentucky at the Corvette assembly plant with one of our customers who was having his new ZR1 being built today.

As a precaution, they issued us all watch covers to precent any scratches to the Corvettes on the line ! Thought you might like a peek !





Here's a little recap of our trip for anyone who is interested in Corvettes.

Just got home from two great days in Bowling Green with a customer and his new ZR1. Spent a great two days in the plant with the car. Hats off to the entire staff of the plant and museum who went out of their way to make this a great experience for our customer and myself.

We watched the car from the beginning stages of production clear to the finish. We watched the engine being selected from inventory, watched the VIN being stamped on it as well as the engine being bolted to the transmission and driveline. We were able to examine the front and rear suspension before it was pulled to the line as well. We folowed the car until it had most body panels installed as well as the headlights. We closed the plant down on Monday and returned today, 4-21 to see the car through final assembly.

Today we saw the front facia, hood, wheels, engine shroud and all final details installed. Shortly after 9:00 am, the car touched the ground for the first time.

At 9:19am we had initial start up. By 10:10am the car entered the dynamic brake and roll test and at 10:13am it was being sprayed with water in the leak test booth. The car passed all tests required to leave the plant right away. Then out the back door it went to wait on the transport to deliver it to BUDS Chevrolet.

Thanks again to all of the staff at the museum and plant. Including Lori and Gary at the museum, the plant manager, the head of the paint department, all supervisors and assembly line workers who personally greeted our group. You built us one heck of a car and we appreciate it.

A special thanks to my good friend Bruce Robel who gave us the best damn plant tour I've ever had, and I've had a ton of em !!

If you'ver never been to the plant, make it a point to go. One of the best Corvette learning experinces you can have.
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