The day eight Chevrolet Corvettes disappeared into the hole

TEXTFebruary 19, 2014 · 3 min

Werner Bartholai, automatically translated

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National Corvette Museum · 5 Photos

GM Corporation4 Photos

Collapse site at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green - they look like toy cars, but they are real Chevrolet Corvettes

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Collapse site at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green - the hole has a diameter of around 10 meters

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Collapse site at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green - only the cars in the center of the room were swallowed up

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Collapse site at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green - Hole in the Skydome Area

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Collapse site at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green - the cars on display were badly damaged

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Chevrolet Corvette (1993) - A 1993 anniversary version released for the Corvette's 40th birthday was a victim of the sinking at the National Corvette Museum

Bild von Partner Porsche AMAG November Foto-Galerie 2026

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Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (2009) - the first ZR1 produced in blue and owned by GM was also damaged in the collapse of the National Corvette Museum

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Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 Spyder (1993) - Almost a dozen of these Spyders were built in 1993, one of which, on loan from GM, was damaged in the collapse of the National Corvette Museum

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Chevrolet Corvette (1954) - four generations in front of the National Corvette Museum

Einsturzstelle im National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green - nur die Autos in der Mitte des Raumes wurden verschluckt

Einsturzstelle im National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green - Loch in der Skydome Area

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Einsturzstelle im National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green - die ausgestellten Autos wurden übel in Mitleidenschaft gezogen

Chevrolet Corvette (1993) - Eine zum 40. Geburtstag der Corvette aufgelegte Juiläumsversion aus dem Jahr 1993 war Opfer der Absenkung im National Corvette Museum

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (2009) - auch die erste produzierte ZR1 in Blau aus dem Besitz von GM wurde beim Einsturz des National Corvette Museums beschädigt

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Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 Spyder (1993) - Knapp ein Dutzend dieser Spyders waren 1993 gebaut worden, einer davon, eine Leihgabe von GM, wurde beim Einsturz des National Corvette Museums beschädigt

In the early morning of February 12, 2014, an accident that doesn't happen every day took its course. The floor of the "Skydome" hall of the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green collapsed. A huge hole over 12 meters in diameter and around 8 to 10 meters deep opened up, swallowing eight vehicles on display!

Collapse site at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green - the cars on display were badly damaged

Eight Corvette sunk

Chevrolet Corvette (1993) - A 1993 anniversary version released for the Corvette's 40th birthday was a victim of the sinking at the National Corvette Museum

The cars, some of which were badly damaged, are of course all models from the Corvette's 60-year history:

One of less than a dozen ZR-1 Spyders built in 1993, on loan from General Motors
The first ZR1 built in 2009, on loan from General Motors in blue
A black Corvette C1 from 1962
PPG Pace Car from 1984
The one millionth Corvette - one of a kind - from 1992
A "40th Anniversary" Corvette from 1993
The Mallett Hammer Z06 Corvette from 2001
The 1.5 millionth white Corvette - one-off - from 2009

Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 Spyder (1993) - Almost a dozen of these Spyders were built in 1993, one of which, on loan from GM, was damaged in the collapse of the National Corvette Museum

The rescue plan is in place

The disaster hit the private museum, which is financed by donations from enthusiasts, at an inopportune time, as the museum's 20th birthday celebrations are just around the corner this year.

However, they are optimistic that they will be able to get the museum back in shape in time. A plan was quickly drawn up to first secure the building in two to three weeks and then lift the individual cars over a further four to six days. Structurally, no major problems were to be expected from the building, said one person in charge.

General Motors supports the restoration

General Motors has also spontaneously agreed to actively support the restoration work. After all, there is something unique to preserve.

Mark Reuss, responsible for product development at a global level, commented: "The vehicles in the National Corvette Museum are some of the most important in automotive history; after all, the one millionth Corvette can only exist once. We want to make our contribution so that the damaged cars can be restored and shown to the public again as quickly as possible."

Further information on the accident and the opportunity to donate can be found on the museum website.

Chevrolet Corvette (1954) - four generations in front of the National Corvette Museum

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