Surprise discovery shifts strategy to save sinkhole Corvette

By Thom Patterson, CNN

Updated 1619 GMT (0019 HKT) June 10, 2015

Almost two years after it was swallowed by a sinkhole, the restored 1 millionth Corvette was unveiled at a ceremony Thursday. Angela Lamb, who helped build the car 23 years ago, joined Corvette designer John Cafaro and GM's Dave Bolognino to do the honors. Click through the gallery to see before and after photos of this irreplaceable automotive icon.
Photos: Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette
Almost two years after it was swallowed by a sinkhole, the restored 1 millionth Corvette was unveiled at a ceremony Thursday. Angela Lamb, who helped build the car 23 years ago, joined Corvette designer John Cafaro and GM's Dave Bolognino to do the honors. Click through the gallery to see before and after photos of this irreplaceable automotive icon.
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The white LT1 convertible roadster came off the assembly line in 1992. Last year, the sinkhole did this to it. Note the severe damage to the hood, the windshield and the front fascia.
Photos: Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette
The white LT1 convertible roadster came off the assembly line in 1992. Last year, the sinkhole did this to it. Note the severe damage to the hood, the windshield and the front fascia.
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This after-restoration photo shows the car's new hood, one of the most damaged parts of the car. A General Motors team of experts decided the original hood was unsalvageable and replaced it. Also replaced: the unique "1,000,000th" windshield banner the car wore when it came off the assembly line. GM was able to replicate the banner because the original computer graphics were still available.
Photos: Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette
This after-restoration photo shows the car's new hood, one of the most damaged parts of the car. A General Motors team of experts decided the original hood was unsalvageable and replaced it. Also replaced: the unique "1,000,000th" windshield banner the car wore when it came off the assembly line. GM was able to replicate the banner because the original computer graphics were still available.
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The car was valued at around $750,000 before it was swallowed by a sinkhole inside the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The accident gave its windshield header and classic red leather interior quite a beating.
Photos: Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette
The car was valued at around $750,000 before it was swallowed by a sinkhole inside the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The accident gave its windshield header and classic red leather interior quite a beating.
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In this photo of the restored car, you can see how GM lovingly restored the car's upholstery. The seats -- which feature one-of-a-kind "1,000,000th Corvette" embroidery on the headrests -- were deemed irreplaceable, so they were restored. A few replacement patches were necessary, requiring carefully matched hide.
Photos: Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette
In this photo of the restored car, you can see how GM lovingly restored the car's upholstery. The seats -- which feature one-of-a-kind "1,000,000th Corvette" embroidery on the headrests -- were deemed irreplaceable, so they were restored. A few replacement patches were necessary, requiring carefully matched hide.
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The car's front subframe was damaged and was straightened. The wheels were damaged, but reconditioned, including the original Goodyear Eagle GS-C tires.
Photos: Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette
The car's front subframe was damaged and was straightened. The wheels were damaged, but reconditioned, including the original Goodyear Eagle GS-C tires.
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Chevrolet said the car's replacement parts came from a "vehicle of the same vintage and color, ensuring authenticity of the parts and materials involved with the restoration."
Photos: Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette
Chevrolet said the car's replacement parts came from a "vehicle of the same vintage and color, ensuring authenticity of the parts and materials involved with the restoration."
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Other parts of the car, including the rear fascia, would have probably been replaced in almost any other restoration project, Chevy said.