Lifetime member Ray Quinlan passed away on September 14, 2003 in his hometown of Champaign Illinios. Ray was the first Lifetime member of the Museum and a dedicated Corvette enthusiast who shared the passion and love of Corvette with everyone he met and knew.

Before the Museum was even a reality, Ray used his passion to become an instrumental part of the mission to build the National Corvette Museum. He challenged the NCM’s founding fathers to the building and establishment of the Museum, and generously offered his very own 1953 Corvette to be a part of the monumental displays the Museum would preserve and showcase to the World. In reality, Ray was the first person to donate a Corvette to the Museum for display. Ray’s Corvette is still on display and will continue to live on as a representation of not only the first of Corvettes, but a tribute to an NCM member who truly loved sharing all he had and knew about Corvette.

Ray was active in many NCM events and attended regularly as he was able to. He was part of the 2002 Historic Motorama that kicked off the year-long 50th Celebration activities. Ray represented Corvette in the Corvette 50-year traveling showcase as the 1957 representative. He shared his life experiences and stories along the journey with each of us, and kept us laughing and smiling all the way home. Everyone came to love and admire him.

It is at this time that we honor Ray with this small tribute and hope you all will join us in sharing any thoughts you might have, by being a part of the message/story board available by viewing below.

Also, one of our Lifetime members has suggested that we begin a memorial brick fund to mark Ray’s life and accomplishments. If you are interested in making a donation to the brick fund, please give us a call or send a check to the attention of: Ray Quinlan Brick Fund – The National Corvette Museum, 350 Corvette Drive, Bowling Green, Ky 42101

Ray Quinlan will be remembered and greatly missed by all who had the privilege of meeting him. May he rest in peace. Thank you Ray for all you have done for Corvette enthusiasts in keeping the Corvette passion burning and especially for all of the generosity and love you have shown to the National Corvette Museum.