Pit Road Exclusive Feature
First Ever Z06 Museum Delivery
Author: Vince Capka - 8/29/2001
In my efforts in trying to find out more about the much rumored Corvette Z06 on the internet, I saw many testimonials from Corvette owners who had a great time taking delivery at the Museum. I had reservations about picking up the Corvette many miles from home. Is the option worth all the expenses involved ? Will my Vette be operating correctly? Will it look right ? From all the testimonials, museum delivery still sounded fascinating. In May 2000, I requested RPO R8C (Corvette Museum Delivery) on my Z06 order to Mike Kuebler from Tom Jumper Chevrolet. After months reading Corvette bulletin boards, and constantly checking out the museum’s webcams, I was getting excited about the upcoming car and the delivery. Many posts had suggested asking that Adam Boca perform the delivery process, since he is an avid Corvette enthusiast.
I began emailing Judy Yanko at the museum with many questions about the delivery process. I emailed Adam Boca . Both of them were very responsive to my inquiries. The month of June arrived with the news that the Z06 would be tentatively built the week of July 17th. Now it’s getting closer. More emails to Judy and Adam. More quick replies. Were my emails of earth shattering importance? No, but Judy and Adam understood my excitement and helped me survive the waiting game.
Wanting to do something special for my wife, Mary, a registered nurse and educator who has had to put up with my Z06itis for close to two years, I contacted Judy again. I had decided to surprise Mary with a stuffed bear and a pendant that she would not see until the delivery.
I planned a trip to the factory in an effort to see my car on the line. With the help of Mike Kuebler, Adam Boca, factory tour guide Jeffrey Schnell and especially Sonny Kilgo, I saw our Z06 on the line. Four magical days including performing the first start and static roller test. Nothing short of spectacular. I don’t know how it could have been any better.
During this trip to Bowling Green, I met Adam Boca and Judy Yanko for the first time. It seemed as if I had known them for years. We went over my requests for the delivery. Notice I said ‘my requests’. They gave me the feeling the delivery process was based on my desires, not theirs. Judy and Adam said many times, ’we can do that’, or ‘no problem’ to my requests. A toy bear and the piece of small jewelry was left with them to be placed in the car to surprise my wife at delivery time.
About a week later, Judy called me with great news. The Z06 had been released and our delivery date would be Friday August 4th at 10:30 am. It looked like it was going to be the museums first Z06 delivery! I was immediately on the phone to my wife, and then to Mike to tell them the news.
Mike graciously offered to drive Mary and myself up to Bowling Green to pick up the Vette. The three of us toured the factory in the morning and then drove over to the museum. Walking through the front doors, we saw a sign welcoming us to take delivery of our new Vette. Adam greeted us, and asked if we’d like to take the museum tour or go straight to the car. Can you guess what I chose? A minute later I’m gawking at the Torch Red Z06. I’m not alone a small crowd of visitors was eyeballing the Z06. The Vette looked perfect. A sign was standing next to the Corvette telling the world this was OUR new Corvette. Words can’t describe the feeling knowing THAT was our new Corvette. WOW !
Adam and Chad from the museum moved the barrier guards to allow us access to the car. After a couple of minutes circling the car,, they opened the doors to let Mary and I sit in the car. They started to show us all the features of the car. All of the Vette’s options, controls, buttons, and engine service functions were explained to me. They were very patient. They let me interrupt with a few more ‘WOW’s’. I was excited. They shared in my excitement. My wife Mary got in the passenger side and immediately noticed the surprise that Adam had placed there. The bear and pendant were a big hit! She gave me a kiss and a ‘thank you’. Great. Many museum visitors stopped and offered their congratulations, took pictures, talked about the Z06, and asked about the museum delivery. Quite a few said they were going to do the museum delivery with their next purchase. Adam let me chat with my new found friends. People were snapping pictures. I found out later that friends on the Corvette Forum including Frank Calmes, and my brother David, were downloading delivery pictures from the museum webcams! More than 400 images were captured. A lot was going happening. Most importantly, Adam let me have ‘my day’ with the car. It was fantastic.
Now, the paperwork. Paperwork. How many times had I verified back home that I was bringing all the appropriate documentation. All of us went into a glass walled room to do the paperwork. Glass walls. Did they really expect me to go through paperwork when I can still SEE the car? What pain in my neck I endured as I kept stretching for more looks. Even more visitors stopped to chat. Just when I thought everything was taken care of, Adam had one more duty inside the museum. He affixed the museum delivery decal to the driver’s side door jamb. With all the paperwork and formalities completed, it was time for Adam to drive the car, with me riding shotgun, out to the front of the building for some pictures. Adam took several pictures and asked which I preferred. With that done, I hopped in the driver’s seat, Adam in the passenger side, and off for a test drive. Phenomenal. I can’t imagine the size of the smile that must have been on my face. Adam knows the local roads, and off we went to test the car on his ‘test’ route. Nice, real nice. After a few miles driving to get acquainted with the car, we head back to the museum. I better change the expression on my face, I don’t want the others to know how much fun we had! Adam has a tough job.
Back inside the museum, it was time for the museum tour. Ryan Alexander and Chad were very cordial as they escorted us around the museum explaining all the exhibits. We heard the story behind the crossed-flag emblem. We reminisced about a chance meeting Zora Arkus-Duntov and his wife Elfie at Road Atlanta. We talked about our favorite classic Vettes. The experimental test mules. The race cars. The depth of history and nostalgia on display knew no bounds. No offence, Ryan, but my mind kept drifting back to one specific car. The one outside. The tour concluded, Ryan asked if there was anything else they could do for us. Again, the emphasis was on what the museum could do for us.
We bid farewell, and Mike, Mary and myself headed south towards home in Atlanta. Before getting on the Interstate, we stopped back at the front entrance of the Corvette Plant for a few more pictures. Now we headed home. I varied my speed, stopping often to let the Vette engine go through several heat cycles. I tried to do all the break-in tricks I had read on the forums. The stopping also had another benefit. It allowed me more opportunities to get outside the car and just look at it. Terrific. Along with our bags, we carried with us the memories of a fantastic event that we will never forget. The friendship and the desire for us to have ‘our day’ remained evident during the entire time. All of my worries about the delivery process went unfounded. Thanks to everyone who made this event very special to us.
Every time I open the driver’s door, I see that Museum Delivery Decal. It brings back all the great memories of a really fantastic day. A day I wish all Corvette enthusiasts could experience when they purchase a new Corvette.
How can it be better ? Adam has told me that deliveries now include a private Corvette Plant tour that includes areas not seen during the normal scheduled tours. I can’t wait for my next museum delivery!
Vince and Mary Capka
National Corvette Museum Life Members #637
C5Registry X2419
Copyright 2002 - Z06Vette.com - Photo Credits: General Motors Inc.
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