Whether you are shopping for a new Corvette or will be driving yours to the upcoming Corvette Funfest event in Effingham, Illinois – we will be ready to take care of your insurance needs Funfest. We are thrilled to be at this year’s 20^th Annual Funfest 2013 event hosted by Mid America Motorworks – September 19-22! There is always a great time planned for those attending the event and it gives us an awesome opportunity to meet current customers and new ones who are looking for collector car coverage. There will be thousands of automotive enthusiasts at the event to enjoy the festivities and we hope you will come by the NCM Insurance Booth to say hello and pick up this year’s collectible and limited edition poster – hot off the press.  The poster is specially designed by our good friend, Sabastian Poole, and is free to everyone we quote at the show! If you have been thinking of shopping for collector car insurance and just haven’t made the move, this is a fun opportunity to take a moment and talk with real car folks about protecting your prized collectible.



NCM Insurance Agent, Adam Boca, will be hosting two seminars called “Properly Insuring Your Corvette, Collector vs. Daily Use Insurance”.  These seminars will be on Friday at 3pm and Saturday at 2pm in location #2.   Funfest is well known for bringing together car folks from all arenas of the Corvette world to take place in seminars, displays and activities. In addition to presentations from many friends of the National Corvette Museum – the event wraps up with a Funfest signature concert by members Bachman & Turner.



While at the event, we can instantly write your insurance policy on the spot and answer any questions you have. Whether you currently own or are planning to purchase a collector car – we can insure just about every make and model!



We pride ourselves on expert coverage, knowledge and customer service – with premiums that will surprise you.  Our office is located within the National Corvette Museum and you will always find an agent and staff member ready to assist you.



Flexible usage, 9 to 5 endorsement, mileage options that allow you to enjoy your collector car, friendly one on one service, and most importantly…agreed values and protection that never changes – plus premium costs that will astound you! Quotes are fast and easy with no obligation so you have nothing to lose by seeing how our agency’s service can help you.



Come by our booth at Corvette Funfest 2013 or give us a call anytime at: 877-678-7626. You can also get a quote online at: www.ncminsurance.com or via our iphone/ipad app designed for customers on the go – www.ncminsurance.com/mobile-app



Check out more information on Corvette Funfest at www.corvettefunfest.com.



See you in Effingham, Illinois – Have a safe trip!

NCM Insurance customers John and Sandra live in the beautiful quaint town in Tennessee and have made several visits to the Museum over the past few years. Originally from Georgia, they moved to Tennessee after John graduated from college in the advertising business. Although he enjoyed the career opportunities this path opened up for him, he was led to work in the real estate business for the South Eastern part of the U.S. Sandra worked for the Social Security Administration – now they are both retired and enjoy life. They have owned two Corvettes in their lives – one of them for over 43 years until recently. They were here in June for the 60^th Anniversary of Corvette festivities held at the Museum – and that is where the real story of these two Corvette enthusiasts begins.  The Bryants are a real life testament to “picking your-self up and moving forward.”

When they set out for Bowling Green, Kentucky to enjoy the event festivities they could hardly contain their excitement because their 1961 was to be showcased as part of the Evolution Display. Although their car never made the display, this story does have a happy ending. After leaving the Museum early into the event to head back to their hotel, they were hit on I-65 in their 1961 Corvette – yes, the one they had owned for 43 years. The accident totaled their car, broke Sandra’s back and caused other medical injuries to both of them. A friend of the NCM Insurance Agency saw the accident and immediately contacted our Insurance Agent, Adam Boca – concerned that they might be customers we insure. Adam immediately left the event to see to their needs, knowing they were not insured by us but were enthusiasts who were here for the event. The staff and volunteers were all concerned and Adam went to check in on behalf of the entire staff.



When Adam arrived on the scene, John and Sandra were definitely in need of help. “It was like he was sent as a safety net to help us,” Sandra told us. “We weren’t even customers of the NCM Insurance Agency – and he wasn’t our agent. He just was there out of the blue to help.” She shared that there is no doubt in her mind that Adam was sent there as a helper and it is the main and specific reason they then chose the NCM Insurance Agency to protect their new purchase – another 1961 Corvette. “If he would do this for a stranger, we knew that taking out insurance with the NCM Insurance Agency was the right choice for our new purchase. We refer everyone we know to Adam and the Museum for coverage now.” John shared with us. “This is customer service over and above and we weren’t even customers – only enthusiasts who came to visit,” he continued to tell us. “This speaks so much about the type of service that the agency and the Museum offers and how they will be there when you need them.”



John and Sandra were insured with a large standard auto company on a stated value policy. It took several months for the claim to be settled, and for payout to be determined. With an agreed value policy there is no depreciation, or fear of not knowing what you will be receiving if you ever total your prized possession.



This story is one that is hard to imagine happening, but it is reality. At any moment we could all be involved in an accident to and from a show or club event. But it is the care and involvement of those around us that can change a bad situation and help make it better. Sandra told us that what happen to them was horrific, but having someone who truly cared about them made the difference in switching to the NCM Insurance Agency on their new collector car purchase. “We will forever be grateful for the care and attention Adam and the Museum gave us, and mostly appreciative for the new friendship we have.”



“We talk about customer service and one on one attention as one of the NCM Insurance Agency’s most important assets, and this story helps us remember that.” Adam shares. “We are thankful the Bryant’s are recovering well and have chosen us to protect their collectible Corvette. But, the important factor in their story is to remember to do the right thing by others – always. That is our motto and we stand by it.”

We have spoken to many folks recently who will be attending the Corvettes at Carlisle show – we can’t wait to see you there. It is always a pleasure putting the face with a name of our current NCM Insurance customers and working up quotes for new folks we meet. As in the past two years, we have a newly designed poster ready for everyone who visits the NCM booth for an insurance quote. This is the 3^rd annual poster and has become quite the rave for collectors.  Our friend and Kentucky artist, Sabastian Poole did a great job on this year’s artistic design and we can’t wait to share it folks coming by to visit. The NCM booth will be located in the same spot as you have seen us at throughout past shows – under the Grandstands connected to the Food Court.

The awesome part of being at Carlisle while folks are contemplating new purchases and trades is that we can instantly write your insurance policy on the spot during the event and answer any questions you have. Whether you currently own or are planning to purchase a collector car – we can insure just about every make and model collector car!

Our home office is located within the National Corvette Museum and you will always find us ready to assist you with questions, quotes or any need you have. We pride ourselves with having excellent one on one service.  Our flexible mileage tiers, 9 to 5 work option for days when you want to take your collector to work and amazing rates will surprise you.  Most importantly…agreed values and protection that never change – that’s a promise.

Quotes are fast and easy while you are browsing at the show and you just might be surprised over how much we can save you and the manner in which we can protect your investment.

Come by our booth at the Carlisle event or give us a call anytime at: 877-678-7626. You can also get a quote online at: www.ncminsurance.com or via our iphone/ipad app designed for customers on the go – www.ncminsurance.com/mobile-app

We will be seeing you soon! Have a safe and enjoyable trip!

INDIANAPOLIS – The all-new, seventh-generation 2014 Corvette Stingray will serve as the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car, leading the field to green at the start of the 97th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” on Sunday, May 26, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

It marks a record 12th time the Corvette has served as the Pace Car, starting in 1978.

“It is an honor to help inaugurate the all-new Corvette Stingray at the hallowed Brickyard and further the legacy between Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500,” said Jim Campbell, GM vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “The 2014 Corvette Stingray’s performance was influenced by racing, making this prestigious assignment even more fitting.”

Along with Chevrolet’s return in 2012 as an engine supplier, the Corvette Stingray Pace Car extends a legacy at the Brickyard that dates to the racetrack’s early days.

“Chevrolet is a great partner of the Speedway,” said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. “That connection is heightened this year with the next-generation Corvette in front of a very talented field of racers.” 



Decked out in Laguna Blue Tintcoat with official Indianapolis 500 graphics on the doors, the   Corvette Stingray Pace Car differs from production models with only track-mandated safety features and strobe lights. No powertrain upgrades are required to run in front of the IndyCar pack, thanks to its all-new 6.2L LT1 engine, which features advanced technologies including direct fuel injection, continuously variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation). They help produce an estimated 450 horsepower more efficiently.



The 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe goes on sale this fall, with a convertible model – featuring a fully electronic top that can be operated remotely with the key fob – coming a few months later. Vehicle highlights include:

• An interior that offers genuine carbon fiber and aluminum trim, hand-wrapped leather materials, dual eight-inch configurable driver/infotainment screens, and two new seat choices – each featuring a lightweight magnesium frame for exceptional support
• Advanced driver technologies, including a five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors 12 vehicle attributes to fit the driver’s environment and a new seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching that anticipates gear selections and matches engine speed for perfect shifts every time
• Lightweight materials, including a carbon fiber hood and removable carbon fiber roof panel on coupes; composite fenders, doors and rear quarter panels; carbon-nano composite underbody panels and a new aluminum frame help shift weight rearward for an optimal 50/50 weight balance that supports a world-class power-to-weight ratio
• A sculpted exterior featuring advanced high-intensity discharge and light-emitting diode lighting and racing-proven aerodynamics that balance low drag for efficiency and performance elements for improved stability and track capability
• Track-oriented Z51 Performance Package, including an electronic limited-slip differential; dry-sump oiling system; integral brake, differential and transmission cooling; as well as a unique aero package that further improves high-speed stability.

The Corvette Pace Car features the track-capable Z51 package.



Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500
Chevrolet has a long shared history with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 500 and the IZOD IndyCar Series. Chevrolet was founded in 1911, the year of the inaugural 500-mile race, and the Chevrolet brothers – company co-founder Louis, Arthur and Gaston – all competed in early Indy 500 races. Arthur Chevrolet competed in the 1911 race and Gaston Chevrolet won it in 1920.



Chevrolet competed in Indy-style competition as an engine manufacturer in 1986-93 and 2002-05 with V-8 engines, and returned in 2012 with the Chevrolet IndyCar twin-turbo V-6 engine with direct injection. In that time, Chevrolet won 118 IndyCar races, powered seven driver series champions and scored seven Indianapolis 500 victories.



2013 marks the 24th time a Chevrolet has served as the official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500, more than any other brand, dating to 1948 with a Chevrolet Fleetmaster. Camaro has served in the role seven times and, with this year’s running, Corvette has led the way a record 12 times.



Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.



# # #

We have recently begun insuring a very special Corvette that is part of Americana’s history – Astronaut Neil Armstrong’s 1967 Corvette – 427 Coupe!

After General Motors gifted astronaut Alan Shepard with a white 1962 Corvette to congratulate him on becoming the first American in space, Indianapolis 500 winner and Florida Chevrolet Dealer Jim Rathmann came up with the idea to offer Shepard’s fellow astronauts Corvettes of their own.

Rathmann negotiated a special lease arrangement to put the Mercury astronauts into the cars. For $1 per year, the spacemen could drive the latest model Corvette and then trade it in for a new one. The lease program was popular with the astronauts and proved to be good exposure for Chevrolet, so it continued into the Gemini and Apollo programs.

Armstrong joined the astronaut corps in 1962 with NASA’s second group of astronauts. According to his authorized biography, his first leased Corvette was damaged when a fire destroyed his house. Several years and cars later, Armstrong traded in his 1967 blue Sting Ray for a new Vette.

This special Corvette was recently posted for sale on eBay, and our customer who was the seller, reported that it was purchased by a NASA employee when Mr. Armstrong turned it in, and it was retained by the owner until it was purchased by our customer in February of 2012.

The NCM Insurance Agency is very proud to have the honor of protecting this unique piece of history, and the many collector cars that will be a part of generations to come.  We have an amazing opportunity to insure collector cars that bring families together, connect lives, and create memories that last forever. That is our job – protecting the automotive passion.  We want to protect your piece of history too!  Check us out at www.ncminsurance.com or give us a call at 877.678.7626.  Passion and history are our specialty, and we take pride in what we do.

BIG BASH – BIG FUN Kicking off the 2013 Events Season!

April 25-27, 2013




Our first onsite event of the season is only a few weeks away and the entire staff at the National Corvette Museum is so excited to welcome back old friends and meet new ones visiting for the first time! Having a chance to see the new C7 Corvette up close and personal as part of the event is going to be one of the big exciting activities slated for this year’s event! GM engineers and designers from Warren Tech Center, Milford Proving Ground and the Bowling Green Assembly Plant will be on hand to answer questions and give folks the inside scoop!



Rides in vintage race cars, guided tours of the beautiful Kentucky countryside and so much more are part of what makes The Bash event one of our biggest and best!



We look forward to being set up in the midst of the fun and festivities to quote insurance on your collector during the event! Come by the booth and give us a few minutes to show you what makes collector car insurance through the National Corvette Museum so unique. If you are looking for great coverage for your Corvette or collector car that you only use for pleasure – minus any errands or daily use – then we hope you will give our agency a chance to show you how you can save and receive great coverage at an agreed value.



We speak to so many folks each day who are insuring their collector cars with us and planning on attending the event. Can’t wait to meet you all and put a face with the name. When you insure your collector car through the National Corvette Museum’s Insurance Agency – who know who is taking care of your needs, you can speak with people you know and trust any time you call, and you are helping to keep the Museum’s mission alive! Everyone one coming by for a quote will receive our latest poster created specifically for the NCM Insurance Agency. Give us a shot at insuring what you hold valuable and find out more about how we do insurance by visiting www.ncminsurance.com or call us at: 977-678-7626.



If you haven’t registered for The Bash – time is running out. Find out more and check out the online agenda at: http://www.corvettemuseum.org/registration/bash/info.shtml



We’ll be seeing you soon!

GENEVA – Chevrolet revealed the 2014 Corvette Stingray convertible today at the Geneva Motor Show, featuring an all-new, fully electronic top that can be lowered remotely using the car’s key fob. The top can also be opened or closed on the go, at speeds of up to 30 mph (50 km/h).

“The convertible has been a part of the heart and soul of Corvette since the very beginning in 1953,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of global design. “With the all-new Corvette Stingray, we designed and developed the coupe and convertible simultaneously. As a result, the Corvette Stingray offers an open-top driving experience with no compromise in performance, technology or design.”

The Corvette Stingray coupe and convertible arrive in global markets in late 2013, with left-hand-drive models to be offered in Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, Japan and Russia. Changes to Corvettes for export vary only in equipment required to accommodate a respective market’s regulations, such as lighting, headlamp washers and outside mirrors.

“It’s fitting to introduce the new Stingray convertible on the global stage at Geneva, because Corvette is the face of Chevrolet the world over,” said Susan Docherty, president and managing director of Chevrolet and Cadillac Europe. “It is an icon that has long been recognized and admired even in countries where it’s never officially been offered.”

All of the performance technology and capabilities introduced on the Corvette Stingray coupe carry over to the convertible. The only structural changes are limited to accommodations for the folding top and repositioned safety belt mounts. Central to the Corvette Stingray’s driving experience is an all-new, more rigid aluminum frame structure, which is 57-percent stiffer and 99 pounds (45 kg) lighter than the current steel frame.

All models are powered by the new LT1 6.2L V-8, with an estimated 450-hp (335 kW) and 450 lb-ft of torque (610 Nm). As no structural reinforcements are required for the convertible, both models share almost identical power-to-weight ratios.

The LT1 combines several advanced technologies, including direct injection, Active Fuel Management and continuously variable valve timing to support an advanced combustion system designed to balance power and efficiency. The new Corvette Stingray is expected to improve upon the current model’s fuel economy of 13.6L/100km (EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of 26 mpg).

With the top up, the Corvette Stingray convertible is designed for a refined driving experience. A thick, three-ply fabric top, along with sound-absorbing padding and a glass rear window, contributes to a quiet cabin and premium appearance.

With the top down, the Corvette Stingray’s signature profile is further accentuated. Behind the seat backs, dual black accent panels enhance the character lines of the tonneau cover. Corvette Stingray’s signature “waterfall” design originates in the valley between the nacelles, bringing the exterior color into the interior.

Additional highlights of the all-new Corvette Stingray coupe and convertible include:

• A sculpted exterior with advanced high-intensity discharge and light-emitting diode lighting and racing-proven aerodynamics that balance low drag for efficiency and performance elements for improved stability and track capability
• An interior that offers genuine carbon fiber and aluminum trim, hand-wrapped leather materials, dual eight-inch configurable driver/infotainment screens, and two new seat choices – each featuring a lightweight magnesium frame for exceptional support
• Advanced driver technologies, including a five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors 12 vehicle attributes to fit the driver’s environment and a new seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching that anticipates gear selections and matches engine speed for perfect shifts every time
• Lightweight materials, including a carbon fiber hood on all models and a carbon fiber removable roof panel on coupes; composite fenders, doors and rear quarter panels; carbon-nano composite underbody panels and a new aluminum frame help shift weight rearward for an optimal 50/50 weight balance that supports a world-class power-to-weight ratio
• Track-capable Z51 Performance Package, including an electronic limited-slip differential; dry-sump oiling system; integral brake, differential and transmission cooling; as well as a unique aero package that further improves high-speed stability.

  “We wanted the driving experience of the Corvette to live up to the performance expectations that come with the ‘Stingray’ name,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “Because it was designed from the beginning as an open-top car, the Corvette Stingray delivers an exhilarating, connected driving experience – no matter what configuration you choose.”

  Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

By: Gary Cockriel

Museum Delivery Program Manager



Edited by: Bobbie Jo Lee

NCM Insurance Agency Customer Service Representive

Rise and Shine – Waking Your Car from Winter Hibernation

Corvette enthusiasts are great protectors of their Corvettes and work extremely hard to take care of them both on the road, during the busy show season and after a long winter’s rest. Here are some tips that will make “waking up” your Corvette from a long, cold winters nap a bit easier and more efficient.

• Surface Cleaning: Remove your cover or protector wrap and be sure to lightly and gently blow or dust the surface of your Corvette prior to washing. Harsh and abrasive cleaning without removing the dust first can scratch the top coat.
• Level Checks: Be sure to unplug the battery tender prior to removing the cables from the battery, and check all fluids before starting the car. Oil, water levels, power steering, brake and clutch, windshield washer and transmission fluid –all level checks. Part of this will be repeated later on during our check list. This is also a great time to check your wiper blades. You can easily scratch the windshield if your blades are dried and cracked. So, just replace them as part of your fluid check.
• Brake Check: Before starting your Corvette, it is a good idea to gently push the brake pedal down halfway – several times to check the pressure. You should also do the same with a clutch pedal for manual transmissions. This process will help with any sticking valves that may have occurred during the winter months. If the pedals aren’t as firm as they should be – recheck the brake fluids. If the levels look right and the pressure still is not as firm as it should be, you may need to have your brakes serviced.
• Starting the Car: Disabling the ignition to turn over – but not start is the next step to take in preparing your car for the road. Disabling the electrical system to the engine so that you can actually “crank” the engine without actually starting the car is important. This gets the oil pumped to the top of the motor before the car is started and idling – which can be rough on the engine after months of sitting. Repeating this step several times also helps lubricate everything in the engine and prevents a dry start. Oil drains over time to the bottom of the engine and this step will help keep your car running smoother. You will see the oil gauge slowly rise as it should, and then you are ready to reconnect everything to actually start the car. A well ventilated area is the best place to perform this step.
  • If you do want to start the car you should turn on the ignition but not to the start position – just so that all the lights and buzzers are on.  This will give the electric fuel pump a chance to prime the injectors.  You may want to turn the key off and do this step once more just to help the pump and injectors get a head start.  Now try and start the car. If it cranks but doesn’t start, let the engine turn over a few times then stop and repeat with the key on but not at the starting step.  This will again let the pump get fuel to the injectors. Of course if this doesn’t work you may need to get a service person.
  • Once the car is running let it warm up completely.  Normal operating temperature should be around 200 degrees.  Keep an eye on the water temperature and do not to let it over heat.
  • For cars with and an automatic transmission: – While your foot is on the brake and the emergency brake engaged, slip the shifter into reverse.  Shift
    into drive and back into park. With the engine running and transmission in park and the emergency brake on, recheck the transmission fluid.  This should be at the normal level now.
• Shut Down – Cool Off: Shut everything down let the engine cool off. This is a good time to check all the lights, turn signals and tire pressure. The tire sensors may start an alert signal; just reset it until you go for the test drive later.  Also, this is a good time to make sure your new plate or decal is on the car and your current insurance papers are where you keep them.   Now, recheck the fluid levels again.
• Test Drive Time: Now that you have taken the precautionary steps to prepare your car for the first drive of they year!  Make the first one a “slow” run. Always checking the brakes to make sure they are up and working.  You should apply them from time to time to help clean the rotors and pads from light surface rust that forms from sitting. Let the transmission go through all the gears.  Once back at the garage, keep the parking brake on and with the engine still running, recheck the transmission fluid.  Let the engine cool again and check all fluid levels one last time.

We hope these helpful tips help prepare you for a fun and exciting year to enjoy your Corvette. We hope you will make the National Corvette Museum one of your stops during the show season and invite you to join us at any of our exciting events planned for 2013. Our 2013 Event Calendar is posted via our website at: www.corvettemuseum.org or give us a call at: 800-53-VETTE to find out more. Thank you for supporting the National Corvette Museum, we hope to see you soon!

By: Kristy Ketterman, National Corvette Museum







Sixty years ago today, spectators lined New York City’s posh Park Avenue, waiting to get a glimpse of the ground-breaking 1953 Chevrolet Corvette on display at the General Motors’ Motorama show. Today, the Corvette is back in The Big Apple, marking the historic milestone with the all-new 2014 C7 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.



“The all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray is the most advanced and engaging Corvette in the long, prestigious legacy of this uniquely American success story,” said Chris Perry vice president of Chevrolet Marketing. “It is a car woven into the fabric of American culture and it got its start right here in the Big Apple.”



The introduction of the original Corvette took place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Jan. 17, 1953. Only 300 Corvettes were built – all of them white with a red interior. The enthusiastic response prompted Chevrolet to accelerate production plans and by late June that year, Corvettes were rolling out of a specialized assembly facility in Flint, Mich. One of these 300 is on exhibit at the National Corvette Museum, along with another piece of important Corvette history that many don’t know about.

This was the logo that was switched at the last minute because it had the American flag on it.

Although the Corvette crossed flags emblem has seen some variation over the years, it actually had a controversial beginning. The first logo design included an American flag crossing over the checkered flag to emphasize America’s entry into the sports car world. Originally created by Robert Bartholomew, an interior designer at Chevrolet, this emblem was installed on the 1953 prototype that was set to debut in New York’s Waldorf-Astoria during the “Motorama” show. As preparations were made for Corvette’s big day, the Chevrolet legal department discovered that it was against the law to use an American flag on any commercially made product. With only four days left before the show, the pressure was on to come up with a new logo, and fast.

The designers acted quickly, and looked toward Louis Chevrolet for inspiration. Searching at first for a family crest that could be adapted into a flag they ran into a dead end, as the Chevrolet family didn’t have a crest. Getting desperate, they looked to the French origins of Chevrolet’s name for inspiration. They chose the fleur-de-lis, which means “flower of the lily” as it is the French symbol for royalty. Beneath that there are three lines to represent the three Chevrolet brothers. The revised emblem was quickly made by jewelers and installed on the prototype where it has remained on Corvettes ever since.

The actual American flag emblem that was pulled off of the first Corvette for the Motorama show is on display at the National Corvette Museum, on loan from GM.

Source:
National Corvette Museum