Neat Stuff

I'm at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which not coincidentally is also where they manufacture Corvettes. Inside are some of the best examples you're ever going to see of what a lot of people consider to be the only true American sports car. Let's go in and check 'em out. [music] This museum is comprehensive to Taking it from the Corvette's clubs in the beginning in 1953 to what is now its well-established place in American automotive history. [tires squealing, music] It's the American icon, it's Chevrolet, it's apple pie, it's all the kinds of things that Things that symbolize the United States. [music] Sure, now it is. It was almost cancelled after its first year of production. Well yeah, because, you know, you start out with 300 production copies of it. And people saw this little white thing running

around town but didn't know what it was. It leaked water, it wasn't fun to drive, it was an automatic. Simply put, the 'Vette started out more flash than dash. But GM engineers worked the bugs out and the rest -- well, the rest is history, and history that's all under one roof here at the Corvette Museum. [music] These gull-wing doors remind you of a more infamous sports car? Well, that's no accident. This mid-engine version of the Corvette was designed in the mid-'70s under the watch of John DeLorean, who was still with GM at the time. Talk about an orgy of raw power. You're looking at a 1990 VR1 Corvette. This baby's got a 600 cubic engine, 686 horsepower V12. No wonder they called it The Conan. Yikes! This is a white '83

Corvette. Nothing too distinctive about it, except for one thing. GM never made any, this is the only survivor of 43 pre-production models. Of course, the Corvette Museum is worth visiting any time of the year, but the weekend "Neat Stuff" dropped by was the museum's first anniversary celebration. And there were as many Corvettes outside in the parking lot as there were inside the museum. [music] Wow! This is a beauty. What year are we looking at here? This is a 1962. This year was the last year they had a full-sized trunk. And that was the last year before the Stingray was introduced in 1963. So this one's somewhat special because it's the old body style. The 'Vette is the last car that seems to maintain that lusty romance with the American automobile. I would agree 110 percent with that. [music] Oh my God... I hope I don't embarrass myself. [music] Have you ever had a childhood dream realized in one moment's

time? That's what it was like. [music] This does not strike me as a stock engine. What are we talking about, as far as a power point here? This is a lighter model, 454 engine that has been punched out to 468 cubic inch. It has like twelve to one pistons in it, it's probably pushing at some point a little over 450 on So uhhh.... probably not the best mileage? You could put in three, four Miles to the gallon. [laughter] The scary thought is, this thing's for sale. Could be yours for only $11,750, got a lot of nice add ons And it's FAST. [tires squealing] [music] Like exceeding the limit. [tires, music] After spending so much time around all those cool cars, I'm kind of developing a cool-car lust.

But I mean I'm a big TV star me. I mean, I think I need a cool car, I think would be good for my image so I'm gonna spend the money, I'm going to make the commitment. Will that be cash or charge? It or Better make it charge, and how about throwing in one of those hats? Thanks.