The journey began at 8 a.m. as my father and I loaded up in my Chevy Trailblazer. Google Maps had allotted three hours and 50 minutes for driving time, including traffic. The roads on that Friday morning were slick with rain yet a cool three and a half hours later we arrived in Bowling Green with ample time to spare. We killed the time with a late-morning breakfast at a Cracker Barrel and a tourist information booth detailing local attractions.  Our appointment to witness the birth of a Corvette was at 1:15.

Arriving early to the factory, we were seated in a waiting room where a video showcasing the performance of a Corvette Z06 was playing. After everyone had arrived, the tour guide then signaled the beginning of the tour.

As we entered onto the factory floor, we were instantly surrounded by Corvette parts in all directions - door panels here, hoods there, frames over there. A massive jungle of steel beams rose from the expansive concrete floor holding unfinished car after unfinished car. McNabb The Vettes were riding a track system that looked like a slow moving roller coaster. The track wound around other tracks carrying various parts ready for assembly.

During our fast-moving tour, we saw different stations attaching numerous components to the unfinished bodies of each car. Surprisingly, we started our tour where the interior and exterior were complete and only lacked the drive train. We saw the union of the V-8 engines, drive lines and transmissions to the completed bodies. The cars then traveled down the line were the wheels and tires were attached followed by extensive electrical testing. Shortly after, the cars touched the ground for the first time.

Just around a corner, a Corvette was being prepared for its first start. A worker approached our group and asked a young lady if she would like to have the honors. With her face lit up with enthusiasm, she sat down in the red convertible. The worker instructed her on starting a brand new model. The car roared to life like it had done it a thousand times before - no sputtering or commotion - just the distinctive sound of a General Motors starter motor and the smooth sound of the 6.2-liter V-8 flowing through its acoustically tuned exhaust. Beautiful.

Each car is then put through a battery of tests ensuring that everything is in working order. The tests included a soaking of the exterior to check for leaks and a three mile drive around the assembly plant’s test track.

With the conclusion of our tour, we exited the plant and were on our way to the hotel. It was an exciting day in which I learned a lot about how cars are put together. The technology involved is tremendous. The highly automated and computer-controlled plant churns out roughly 160 Vettes a day, each one specifically built from an order form.

Who knew a person could actually learn something while on spring break vacation.