National Corvette Museum Opens “Driven to Preserve” Exhibition in Bowling Green
Corvette history isn’t just about speed, horsepower, and track records. It’s also about preservation — protecting the legacy of America’s Sports Car for future generations.
That mission is now front and center at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky with the opening of a brand-new exhibition called “Driven to Preserve.”
The exhibit gives visitors a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the museum cares for its growing collection of Corvettes and artifacts.
Preserving Corvette History
The National Corvette Museum is home to more than 120 historically significant Corvettes and over 50,000 Corvette artifacts, making it one of the most important repositories of Corvette history in the world.
“Driven to Preserve” explores the work that goes into maintaining that collection.
Instead of focusing only on the finished cars seen on display, the exhibit reveals the daily curatorial work that protects Corvette history, including:
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How Corvette and artifact donations are received
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The process of cleaning, cataloging, and documenting items
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The difference between restoration and preservation
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Why environmental monitoring is critical for long-term care
According to Robert Maxhimer, Director of Curatorial Affairs and Education at the museum, preservation is an active process that ensures Corvette history remains accurate, accessible, and educational for future enthusiasts.
Corvettes Featured in the Exhibition
Visitors will also see several fascinating vehicles that illustrate different aspects of Corvette history and preservation.
1979 Engineering Development Corvette
This experimental Corvette was built using an early chassis and prototype components to test updates for the 1980 and 1981 model years. It also helped validate the production process at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant.
1958 Corvette Chassis
The exhibit includes a display showing the structural foundation of the car. By separating the body and frame, visitors can better understand what’s involved in a frame-off preservation project.
1967 Corvette Sting Ray “Sweat Hog”
Nicknamed the “Sweat Hog,” this racing Corvette demonstrates how competition history becomes part of preservation. The car even captured the 1974 Northeast NCCC championship on New York road circuits.
Supporting the Future of Corvette Preservation
The exhibition is located in the museum’s Limited Engagement Gallery while construction continues on a major new addition: the National Corvette Museum Collections Facility.
The upcoming 66,000-square-foot facility will expand the museum’s ability to store and preserve vehicles and artifacts long-term. Once completed, the museum plans to begin guided tours of the facility starting in Spring 2027, giving visitors unprecedented access to the Corvette collection.
The Heart of Corvette Culture
Located just one mile from the Bowling Green Assembly Plant — where every Corvette since 1981 has been built — the National Corvette Museum remains the heart of the Corvette community.
With more than 115,000 square feet of exhibit space, historic cars, archives, and educational programs, the museum continues to preserve and share the legacy of America’s Sports Car.
“Driven to Preserve” reminds visitors that every Corvette story — from the racetrack to the assembly line — deserves to be protected.
Celebrate Corvette History at Home
Inspired by the incredible legacy of Corvette?
You can celebrate America’s Sports Car with:
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Corvette garage signs
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Corvette apparel
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Corvette drinkware
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Corvette car covers
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Corvette floor mats
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Corvette home décor and collectibles
Shop the #1 Corvette retailer — CorvetteStoreOnline.com.
Source
National Corvette Museum — “National Corvette Museum Opens Driven to Preserve Exhibition in Bowling Green, Kentucky”