Los Angeles, CA, Feb. 20, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Petersen Automotive Museum will celebrate the 60th anniversary of "America's Sports Car," the Chevrolet Corvette, with an unforgettable tribute March 1-2, 2013. The most anticipated and significant event of the weekend is the 60th Anniversary Gala featuring speaker Kirk Bennion, the Exterior Design Manager of the Corvette C7 Stingray and the west coast unveiling of the vehicle. Bennion will discuss how the Stingray breaks from tradition, allowing industry experts and enthusiasts alike the rare opportunity to gain insight into the design process and ask questions about one of the most anticipated new vehicle debuts in recent memory. The Stingray will be unveiled at the gala dinner with Bennion, and will also be on display for Saturday's festivities.
Other highlights include the Corvette Car Day Show, an exhibit inside the museum featuring the rarest examples of each generation including the very first Corvette "EX-122" which debuted at the GM Motorama in 1953 and a series of educational panels featuring Corvette legends and industry experts. More information below:
The Corvette Car Day Show on Saturday, March 2 from 9a.m. to 4p.m. is free to spectators. The cost for participants is $60 per car and includes two free museum admissions, free parking, a goodie bag and a limited edition medallion created by Mid America Motorworks to commemorate the event.
The Petersen will host three panels throughout two days, each with a cost of $25:
· The Corvette Values Seminar on Friday, March 1 at 10:30a.m. will investigate what Corvettes are worth in today's market and how the vehicle will perform as an investment. Speakers include Rob Sass, from Hagerty Collector Car Insurance, Mike Yager, Founder of Mid America Motorworks, "Corvette Mike" Vietro, and John Kraman, Consignment Director for Mecum Collector Car Auctions.
· The Racing Panel Discussion at 2:00p.m., Friday, March 1, will discuss the car's illustrious motorsports history and will feature several iconic figures from Corvette racing history including drivers Dick Guldstrand, Doug Hooper, Bill Krause and Paul Reinhart.
· The Corvette Restoration Seminar on Saturday, March 2 at 10:30 a.m. will cover restoration tips and techniques from Jeff Reade, NCRS judge and Owner of American Motoring Memories and NCRS judges and restorers Ken and Gary Nabers of Nabers Motors.
The 60th Anniversary Gala is Friday, March 1 at 6:00p.m. For $125 per person, attendees will enjoy cocktails, dinner with a live memorabilia auction and a panel discussion with figures throughout Corvette history and all walks of life answering the question, "What does the Corvette mean to you?" in addition to the presentation by Kirk Bennion on the new Corvette. Attendees will have the opportunity to view the new Stingray up close. The event will be moderated by Bill Stephens, a popular TV personality. Other speakers include Mike Yager, Founder of Mid America Motorsports, specialty vehicle manufacturer Reeves Callaway, Randy Leffingwell, author, Art Spong, Group Brand Manager for Brand Quality for GM Performance Cars and Corvette and Ken Kayser, a Chevrolet Manufacturing Engineering Manager at GM Powertrain, with more speakers to be announced.
In addition to the events, a special Corvette exhibit showcasing Corvettes from every generation, along with significant vehicles from history will be on display from February 27 through March 31. Notable Corvettes include:
· 1953 EX-122: the first Corvette shown to the public
· 1956 SR2: an experimental race car
· 1959 Corvette Italia by Scaglietti: an Italian bodied masterpiece rendered in aluminum
· 1960 CERV I: the first mid-engine prototype
· 1964 "World's Fair" Corvette: customized by GM for the New York World's Fair
· 1963 Grand Sport and a 1968 "Sundowner" Bonneville Racer: driven by many famous racers including Dick Doane, John Mecom, Alan Sevadjian, Auggie Pabst, Jim Hall, A.J. Foyt and John Cannon
Event sponsors include Mid America Motorworks, Hagerty Collector Car Insurance, Corvette Mike, Intercity Lines and Fender Guitar. Proceeds from the Corvette Anniversary activities will go toward supporting the Petersen Automotive Museum's educational programming.
Register your Corvette or buy tickets online at www.CorvetteDay.org or call 323-964-6325. Some events have limited availability and will sell out.
The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational institution. The Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles, California 90036. Admission prices are $12 for general admission adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for students with ID, $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Museum members, active military with ID and children under five are admitted free. Vault tours are available for an additional $25, and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is free for the first 30 minutes and $2.00 each additional 30 minutes. One hour validation with purchase of $20 or more in the Museum Store or Johnny Rockets located in the museum lobby. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. For general Museum information, call 323/930-CARS or visit the Museum's Web site at: www.petersen.org.
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