Discover the Sinkhole
The Unexpected Journey: Celebrating Resilience at the National Corvette Museum
On February 12, 2014, a natural disaster struck the National Corvette Museum when a massive sinkhole unexpectedly opened beneath the iconic Skydome, swallowing eight cherished Corvettes. Measuring 40 feet wide, 60 feet long, and 30 feet deep, the sinkhole captured global attention and became a symbol of resilience and restoration. The cars, ranging from unique prototypes to iconic classics, were recovered in a dramatic effort, with some restored to their former glory while others remain their damaged state as a testament to the event.
Resiliency in Action: 10 Years after the Sinkhole
2014
February 2014: A sinkhole opens underneath the Skydome, swallowing 8 Corvettes.
March 2014: Several Corvettes are recovered from the sinkhole including the Blue Devil, 1962 Tuxedo Black, PPG Pace Car, 1993 40th Anniversary, and the One-Millionth Corvette.
April 2014: The remaining Corvettes emerge from the sinkhole.
June 2014: The Museum welcomes its 3 millionth visitor as recovery from the sinkhole drives record attendance.
2015
February 2015: The restored Blue Devil is unveiled one year after the sinkhole collapse.
May 2015: Our NASCAR-themed, ‘From Moonshine to Finish Line’ exhibit opens.
July 2015: The fully repaired Skydome reopens to visitors.
September 2015: Museum staff reveal the restored One-Millionth Corvette during the Museum’s Anniversary Weekend.
2016
January 2016: The Museum debuts its Hot Rod and Street Rod exhibit, ‘American Muscle’.
February 2016: Our ‘Corvette Cave-In’ exhibit opens on the second anniversary of the sinkhole.
June 2016: The Museum launches an Indianapolis 500-themed exhibit.
July 2016: The NCM Motorsports Park opens new facilities including the Holley Control Tower and Winding Road Race Shop.
2017
August 2017: The Museum opens the ‘History of Kentucky Transportation’ exhibit.
2018
February 2018: Museum staff reveal the restored 1962 Tuxedo Black Corvette.
June 2018: ‘Chevrolet Racing: Louis to Le Mans’ exhibit opens.
2019
February 2019: The Museum opens a space exploration exhibit, ‘From Gas Station to Space Station’.
April 2019: The 1953 Corvette VIN 003 cutaway is donated to the Musuem.
August 2019: The Museum celebrates its 25th anniversary and holds the sixth National Corvette Caravan.
November 2019: The final C7 Corvette is delivered to the Museum.
2020
January 2020: The Musuem opens an exhibit honoring the art and automobiles of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth.
June 2020: After closing due to COVID-19, the Museum reopens with a renovated Performance Gallery and a new Entombed Corvette display.
2021
April 2021: The Museum opens the Wendell Strode Club Room, a new event and meeting space.
May 2021: The Corvette Powered exhibit featuring cars with Chevrolet small-block V8 engines opens.
August 2021: The Stingray Grill opens with a revised menu and an all-new design aesthetic.
2022
May 2022: The Museum hosts the traveling exhibit, ‘Hot Wheels: Race to Win’.
September 2022: The Museum opens ‘Driven by Design’, an exhibit exploring the people and processes behind Corvette’s design.
October 2022: ‘Callaway Corvettes: 35 Years of Making Fast Faster’ opens.
2023
March 2023: ‘Custom CARisma: The Legendary Creations of Carl Casper’ opens.
April 2023: The McMichael Family Education Gallery opens.
June 2023: The Museum opens ‘An American Love Affair: 70 Years of Corvette’, featuring the new SKYWALL.
2024
March 2024: ‘LUSTER: Realism and Hyperrealism in Contemporary Automobile Art’ opens in the newly renovated Limited Engagement Gallery.
