Are you a member of the National Corvette Museum (NCM) If so, why? If not, why?

[*89x2*]

Are you a member of the National Corvette Museum (NCM) ?

If so, why?

If not, why?

And what level of membership, do you have?


The NCM website is at:

www.corvettemuseum.com



<<<--- Lifetime Member # 1989 here


Callaway Cars is a Business Member (for the past few years) :cool


I joined the NCM as a member, after going down to the NCM for the Labor Day Event in 2004. It was such fun and I was treated so well. My wife surprised me with a Lifetime Membership for Christmas that same year, and the NCM rep., Stephanie, even remembered I had asked about being member # 1989 and made sure it happened :cool

In 1992, I was going to buy a Lifetime Membership however, $1,000 was a lot of money to me then. Fast-forward 12 years, and the price was up to $1,500 and still quite a bit of money. My wife made the decision and I have never looked back!

So are you an NCM Member

If so, why? If not, why not??

 

[Aurora40]

I'm not because I don't really see a reason to be. The savings on events that I attend is not enough to cover the membership cost. That said, I'm more than happy to give the NCM money for events, products, etc that fill my needs. But I don't feel compelled to give them money just for existing (i.e. for me being a member, from which I get basically nothing).

 

[TurboLuigi]

Technically I am supposed to be.

Having purchased a new 2008 C6 delivered in August of last year, I am supposed to receive a complementary NCM membership (basic 1yr membership). Mind you, my C6 was dropped shipped to Callaway for conversion so I have never seen it in person (though others have ).

And all this time I thought that I was an NCM member though looking back the only publication that I would get was Corvette Quarterly. So when the article of Reeves induction was published this spring, I called the NMC to find out what gives? To my surprise I was told that in the owners manual was a card for the complimentary subscription. Since I have never seen the manual, I never saw the card either.

I explained my situation and told them they could verify my VIN so that they could put me on the roll, but NO GO. They only way they will honor that IS to send in the card from the owner's manual.

Therefore, in order to attend Reeve's induction, I had to pay (again) for a basic membership. It seems to me that their process is broken.

Just my opinion but NCM process and guidelines seem to be too rigid. Pitty, they would probably be able to raise more funds otherwise as the museum serves a valuable function and purpose for the hobby.

-Luigi
:cool

 

[warren s]

I am not a member either. I have been to the museam and the factory and it was a great adventure. But I just dont have any reason to be a NCM member.

Maybe if I was closer than about 800 miles and I attended some of the events I would be , but as it is - not being a member doesnt detract from my enjoyment of the "Corvette hobby"

 

[warren s]

.

Just my opinion but NCM process and guidelines seem to be too rigid. Pitty, they would probably be able to raise more funds otherwise as the museum serves a valuable function and purpose for the hobby.

-Luigi
:cool

Please elaborate on that valuable purpose and function.

 

[*89x2*]

Please elaborate on that valuable purpose and function.

Supporting the NCM, supports the hobby in many ways. For one, they are a repository for all things Corvette and with the new library & archives coming, it will serve the Corvette world very well.

No other brand has a museum like this one - It does the hobby good.

I can go on...

 

[*89x2*]

I'm not because I don't really see a reason to be. The savings on events that I attend is not enough to cover the membership cost. That said, I'm more than happy to give the NCM money for events, products, etc that fill my needs. But I don't feel compelled to give them money just for existing (i.e. for me being a member, from which I get basically nothing).

With my free registrations for events (as a Lifetime Memeber), I think I am up to about $400 worth, off the $1,500 BUCKS INVESTED.

If I live past 50, it will have paid for itself

 

[warren s]

Supporting the NCM, supports the hobby in many ways. For one, they are a repository for all things Corvette and with the new library & archives coming, it will serve the Corvette world very well.

No other brand has a museum like this one - It does the hobby good.

I can go on...

Though I did enjoy my trip there – and did see some cars that I wouldnt see at the dozens of other local Corvette shows - other than being a recreational destination spot, I don’t think the NCMs existence will have any influence on or benefit the vast majority of Corvette owners in the world.

It would be nice if the NCM had some sort of important and useful proprietary Corvette information that you cant find at dozens of other internet websites (Other than the sale of build sheets and window stickers)

Sorry – not meaning to hijack the thread.

 

[*89x2*]

Though I did enjoy my trip there – and did see some cars that I wouldnt see at the dozens of other local Corvette shows - other than being a recreational destination spot, I don’t think the NCMs existence will have any influence on or benefit the vast majority of Corvette owners in the world.

It would be nice if the NCM had some sort of important and useful proprietary Corvette information that you cant find at dozens of other internet websites (Other than the sale of build sheets and window stickers)

Sorry – not meaning to hijack the thread.

No problem at all - these are great points of discussion

The NCM through the library and archives, WILL have items of interest for those wanting to do research.

MOST websites I see, have bad info anyways - I do not rely on them too much except for the and the Callaway - related sites

The NCM buildsheets and window sticker program is cool and I know that Chevy will contibue to support the NCM even though there is no "official" affiliation there.

I guess this topic does beg the question, if there were no NCM, how, or where would info be stored for historical purposes?? and for folks to visit and check into :cool

 

[warren s]

Thats a good point - I have to go over to the "Dark side" and ask some of my Mustang owning friends (admit it - we all have one) where they get info from - or if they even need any.

 

[SurfnSun]

I tried to give them money but they didnt' want it

 

[kingforward]

I tried to give them money but they didnt' want it

yeah, I didn't renew because I didn't like how they dis'd the COG. So I personally see no point in supporting them.

Do I need to be a memeber to attend Reeve's induction ceremony?

 

[*89x2*]

Do I need to be a memeber to attend Reeve's induction ceremony?

Yes, and no...

If you are just flying in for the dinner and since you registered for that dinner through me vs. the website, then no.

If one has signed up for the event over Labor Day, then it automatically includes a 1 yr membership to the NCM as a part of that.

 

[John H. Christensen]

AM I A MEMBER?

YES!!!

A LIFER!!

WHY????

I DON'T KNOW!!!

 

[redb2k's]

AM I A MEMBER?

YES!!!

A LIFER!!

WHY????

I DON'T KNOW!!!

Me too!

 

[Aurora40]

I guess this topic does beg the question, if there were no NCM, how, or where would info be stored for historical purposes?? and for folks to visit and check into :cool

Well, for 40 some years of the Corvette's existence, there was no NCM. Those things would probably have been kept by GM, and maybe or maybe they would not have made them available.

No doubt the museum gets a lot of interesting things by virtue of the fact that they are the Corvette Museum. It's great that GM has trusted them as keeper of some of the stuff they have.

And when they turn those things into something of value for me, I'm more than happy to pay for them. I've bought repro window stickers, build sheets, sales brochures, etc from them. And was more than happy to pay their asking price. I've also paid to attend events that were interesting to me, and was glad to see all the cars they've assembled for display.

As long as they continue to have things that give me value, I'll continue to pay them to receive that value. But a membership card does not give me that. If I went to more events, maybe it would make financial sense to be a member. For me now, it does not.

As an aside, since we are talking about the museum, one thing that bothers me is that their Hall of Fame includes so many people whose claim to fame was starting the museum. They contributed nothing to the existence or development of Corvettes. It seems pretty arrogant and absurd to me...

 

[Red Vette]

I am a member of the NCM, joined as a yearly member, but then they offered a Senior Membership (almost the same priviledges as Life member- pay dues once) and I jumped at it. Why would I want to support NCM? I have been in Corvettes since 1960, and the fact that there is a museum for my passion was all that it took. I did not discover it until I got onto the CAC. Never did Google corvettes before then. I am also a life member at large for NCCC. The money goes for good causes, a large membership helps in obtaining and keeping the corporate memberships also. I have several other Life Memberships too in other organizations. It just seems like the thing to do. If CAC ever offers a Life membership, I will probably join if I am not dead and buried.
An added benefit to the dues at the NCM is that they are tax deductible.
At the end of the month, I will be making my first visit to the NCM on the way to Cruise Fest in Cleveland. Will also tour the Corvette factory. When I was in school in St Louis in the 60s, I visited the Corvette Plant frequently. There was no museum, but there was an option to pick up your new vette at the factory; now we have both options. To see the history of the Corvette must be awesome in person. Be proud and support the Corvette heritage - the Corvettes have made my life more enjoyable and I have met many wonderful friends because of the Corvette (and CAC).
Barrett

 

[Paul T]

This is a most interesting and pertinent thread. As an Ambassador I have often been asked why someone should become a NCM member and what the value of being a member is. It has taken me a few years to articulate an answer to that reasonable question. My first response is what does any museum do for a member. This includes the Smithsonian Institute on down to a local town museum. The obvious answer is that museum owes you nothing but its existence. What you owe a museum as a member is its continued existence. If you can accept this premise, then any return from it is a bonus. With that axiom, then what museum should you choose to support? It should be one that contains your passion, your deep interest, and your pride in being a member. If you cannot find those values in a museum or you do not feel the need to see it grow and flourish, then you should probably not be a member. Therefore, if you are a true Corvette enthusiast and not just a Corvette owner, I think you will come to the right decision about being a NCM member and will support it beyond just being a member and paying dues.
Paul

 

[C6MAN]

I drove down to the grand opening with my 6 month old daughter and wife. I had purchased a brick months before we arrived. It was great to see our brick in front of the entrance. The Beach Boys was my daughters first concert. I never became an actual member until I bought my 07. If not a lifetime member soon, I'll join every year. It's great to know that you own a vehicle with so many contacts beween the factory and the forums and the obvious one Callaway Cars.

 

[Yoda]

I Used to be a member of the NCM.

My envolvement in 2 events (2001 ~ The Rendevouz, & 2002 SharkFest) left me wondering about the True Mission of the NCM.

Paul you make a good arguement for membership, putting all things into perspective, but I still am not convinced the NCM exist for the True Corvette Enthusiast. I see it more of a mouth piece for GM, esp. Corvette.

With the Muesum Delivery program, I believe NCM may be one of the largest Dealerships out there. The museum, from my perspective is more about New Corvettes and money than it is about the True Corvette Enthusiast, e.g. I don't recall attending an event that did not cater to New Generation Corvette, and as the years roll by, past generations get shoved to the closet.

Most if not all vendors that setup for events are geared toward the current production Corvette, with a scattering of a few representing Modifications to the very last generation. It is more about Modifications and selling a product.

To me it seems to be more about making a legacy for the NCM than it is about the Car itself.

Hopefully with the addtion of Wil Cooksly (sp) the muesum will become an Entusiast's Muesum, one I would contribute too or return my membership too.

There is a very nice Corvette Muesum in Indiana, a private collection. As I remember from CruiseFest I, the muesum was in Ft. Wayne and it documented my passion as well as the NCM attempts too.

Bud Dougherty
Amarillo, TX
(This is my Personal Opinion and does NOT reflect any other view, but my own, from experience and involvement through the years)