2021 Corvette VIN 001: GM Makes Good After a Customer’s C8 Throws a Rod & Catches Fire

GM delivers the first 2021 Corvette at the National Corvette Museum, and it has an exciting story to tell.

America’s sports car has never been better, but 2020 was a challenging year despite the mid-engine wonder becoming a massive success. Strike delays and pandemic-fueled parts-shortages kept production numbers well below Chevy’s goal of 50,000 first-year units. And then there were a few, shall we say, quality control issues. In what might have been the worst situation, C8 owner Brian M. Bowling’s 2020 Corvette throw a rod through the oil pan, which caused a small fire.

To make things right, GM bought back Bowling’s fire-damaged C8, worked to help him purchase another C8, and then “offered the VIN pick for the trouble.” Interestingly Bowling thought he was in line for VIN 003, but GM upgraded him to number one, baby. To be extra clear, GM didn’t “give Bowling a new Corvette.” He paid full price for the replacement. But unlike a Lemon Law case, for example, the bonus here was the chance to own a low-VIN.

Bowling recently took delivery of 2021 Corvette VIN 001 at the National Corvette Museum, which marked the commencement of deliveries for the 2021 Corvette models. VIN 001 is a Torch Red 3LT Couple that features the Z51 Performance Package, Mag Ride, GT3 Seats, a Jet Black / Adrenaline Red two-tone interior, High-wing Spoiler, and yellow brake calipers. Here’s the full spec:

After taking delivery, Bowling drove VIN 001 back home to West Virginia where it currently has 667 miles on the odometer (just past break-in!). Unlike last year’s VIN 001, Bowling plans to actually drive and enjoy his C8… as soon as the weather complies. He’s also planning to install a set of Kooks high-flow cats. Thus far, Bowling is a big fan of the eight generation platform, although the engine’s new location just behind the driver’s seat forces him to hear too much of the LT2’s direct injection system.

Letting VIN 001 sell to an actual customer — and not a celebrity or an overpriced auction — to make up for a defective model is a very noble and generous gesture on GM’s behalf. We have seen many cases in the past, where sports cars from legacy automakers caught fire, but most of those customers seldom receive such special treatment.

Photos: Brian M. Bowling, National Corvette Museum

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