Tucked away in a quiet office park in Sterling Heights, Michigan, lies one of the most extraordinary assemblages of motor vehicles in the Western Hemisphere--if not the world. Like an automotive Tower of London, GM's Heritage Center is the ultimate repository for the most coveted, the most coruscating, and, in many cases, the most costly automotive jewels in the General's possession.
These vehicles range in scope from mind-blowing technological showpieces conceived during the company's halcyon days to regular production cars noteworthy only for their date of manufacture. What they all share is a certain level of historical significance to the brand, one that elevates them above their vehicular peers and certifies them for inclusion in this elite collection.
In an era of self- and government-imposed fiscal austerity at GM, it's something of a wonder that the Center even exists. (Certainly, it has no analogue across town in Dearborn or Auburn Hills.) And while it might have seemed that company was trading on its legacy to make a quick buck when it auctioned off around 200 "collectible" show cars and other one-offs in 2009, the truth is that most of the vehicles liquidated in the sale were built by outside firms, and were therefore of limited historical importance to GM as a brand. ("We kept all the good stuff," says Heritage Center Manager Greg Wallace with a chuckle.) In addition to the main attraction--the cars--Center employees also oversee an unimaginably vast document archive, stocked with rows upon rows of owner's manuals, dealer brochures, technical bulletins, photos, and other printed materials stretching all the way back to 1908. (Many are available for download from the Center's website.) Even the most mundane items reflect the company's past, right down to the 1960s office furniture that was inherited from the old headquarters at Cadillac Place.
Of the roughly 600 cars in the Center's inventory today, 67 are Corvettes, a ratio indicative of the premier role the marque has played at GM throughout its 60-year history. Center employees rolled out several truly exceptional Vettes for our delectation when we visited in May, and each one had a story to tell. We'll take an up-close look at those cars--and the Center itself--in the photos that follow. While the GM Heritage Center is not open to the public, it can be reserved for club functions and other special events involving a minimum of 30 attendees. Visit the Center's website for more information.
1 Of the roughly 600 cars...
1 Of the roughly 600 cars currently in the Center's inventory, some 200 are displayed in the facility's main building on a rotating basis. The lineup was heavy on Corvettes for our visit, including this row of cars representing notable accomplishments from each of the marque's six generations.
2 The '90 CERV (Chevrolet...
2 The '90 CERV (Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle) III was conceived in an era of technological one-upmanship among carmakers. As such, it boasts all-wheel drive and steering, along with a twin-turbocharged, mid-mounted, 650 hp LT5 engine.
3 Unlike some of its show-car...
3 Unlike some of its show-car kin, CERV III is a running, driving vehicle. No surprise, then, that the fully functional interior shows light wear accumulated during the car's 22-year existence.
4 We had hoped to take a...
4 We had hoped to take a peek at CERV III's blown ZR-1 mill, which reposes under the floor of the rear cargo area. Unfortunately, the car's one-off (read: expensive) glass hatch is tricky to open and prone to cracking, and Center staff were reluctant to risk damaging it. Understandable.
5 Next in our lineup was...
5 Next in our lineup was the '86 Indy Concept, first shown at that year's Detroit Auto Show. Similar in concept and construction to CERV III, it featured a mid-mounted engine configuration, all-wheel drive and steering, and a twin-turbo V-8.
6 While the Indy Concept...
6 While the Indy Concept predates the production ZR-1 by more than three years, its Lotus-built engine is evidence of the English firm's early involvement in the design of advanced Corvette powertrains. This one displaces 2.6 liters and reportedly generates 600 hp.
7 It might look dated today,...
7 It might look dated today, but the Indy Concept's interior embodied the height of cutting-edge show-car chic in the mid-'80s. In contrast to CERV III, not all of the cabin features are functional.
8 Zora Arkus-Duntov's dream...
8 Zora Arkus-Duntov's dream of a mid-engine Corvette had fully taken hold at GM by the early '70s--as evidenced by the '72 XP-895. This alloy-skinned prototype was designed by GM, built by Reynolds Aluminum, and powered by a transversely mounted 400ci small-block.
9 Many of the cars in the...
9 Many of the cars in the collection have been "refreshed" with updated equipment over the years, a fact that helps explain the presence of this early-C4 steering wheel in the C3-era XP-895.
10 When it comes to one-off...
10 When it comes to one-off Corvettes, few are as important--or as visually arresting--as Bill Mitchell's '61 Mako Shark. The car's basic lines and unique paint scheme were inspired by the eponymous marine predator, one of which the GM Styling VP caught during a deep-sea-fishing expedition.
11 Today, Mitchell's shark...
11 Today, Mitchell's shark has plenty of bite to back up its appellation, thanks to the installation of a '69 ZL1 aluminum big-block producing a conservatively rated 425 hp.
12 While "jet age" styling...
12 While "jet age" styling had become largely pass� by the early '60s, the movement still had its adherents, Mitchell included. These hinged, electrically operated brake lights--mounted atop the Mako Shark's trunk lid--deployed during deceleration, much like the speed flaps of a fighter jet.
13 Just as the original Mako...
13 Just as the original Mako Shark presaged the C2 Corvette, its successor--the '65 Mako Shark II--adumbrated the C3 generation. While the latter car was retired from the show circuit in the late '60s, it was soon reborn as the stunning '69 Manta Ray concept seen here.
14 The Manta Ray's interior...
14 The Manta Ray's interior was truly innovative for its day, equipped as it was with a digital gauge cluster and a battery of electrically operated switchgear. Note also the unorthodox pedal configuration, which mimics that of a jet aircraft.
15 Though it is far less...
15 Though it is far less ambitious in scope than the design-study Corvettes that preceded it, this '73 production model nevertheless evinces the unmistakable Bill Mitchell style. Designed by Mitchell for his wife, Marian, the car is finished in Pearl White (with red-painted wheelwell liners) and wears custom pinstripes.
16 The personalized theme...
16 The personalized theme continues in the car's interior, which features a Pontiac steering wheel and houndstooth upholstery modeled after one of Marian's favorite dresses.
17 While cars are the focal...
17 While cars are the focal point of the Heritage Center collection, the building is also home to innumerable items of car-themed memorabilia drawn from GM's 104-year history.
18 Of particular interest...
18 Of particular interest to Corvette aficionados is this display of Duntov artifacts, including the engineer's first racing helmet.
19 The rear of the building...
19 The rear of the building houses more GM relics, as well as a restoration/maintenance area (at left, behind curtain). Visible in this photo (atop the left shelving unit) is the wooden H2 soapbox racer used in the popular "Happy Jack" Hummer commercial.
20 The Center also serves...
20 The Center also serves as GM's document archive, with vehicle-information kits and other printed materials stretching back to the company's early days.
21 Need a photo of a '31...
21 Need a photo of a '31 Vauxhall Cadet? Chances are the Heritage Center's staff of professional researchers can unearth one for you (for a fee).