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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

Other parts of the car, including the rear fascia, would have probably been replaced in almost any other restoration project, Chevy said.

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

But experts chose to restore the rear fascia instead of replacing it, because it contained hidden signatures by some of the workers who built the car back in 1992. "We went to great lengths to preserve every autograph," said David Bolognino, director of GM Global Design Fabrication Operations.

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

The restoration took place at a facility in Warren, Michigan. Cosmetic restoration began after experts were able to repair structural damage and get the car up and running.

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

Restorers found the signatures when they began removing parts of the car.

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

Surprisingly, one component the team didn't have to replace was the crushed windshield header. "With access to the original specifications, we got it spot-on. ... Even the new windshield glass dropped in perfectly," said Bolognino.

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

The total parts lost on the car were relatively few, Bolognino said.

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

Rear bumper covers during that era were made of a flexible material and were very difficult to repair well.

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

Each signature on the car amounted to a personal salute from one of hundreds of proud men and women honoring their work and the museum piece they helped create.

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

Choosing to replace the badly damaged hood was a tough decision. Restorers had to balance "risk versus originality."

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

About 30 craftspeople and technicians from GM Design's Mechanical Assembly group, along with GM Service Operations, took on the project.

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

The museum asked GM to save any stray original parts that weren't used for the restoration. Those parts will likely end up in an exhibit -- or sold as fund-raiser items, museum spokeswoman Katie Frassinelli said.

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

When it became clear that the signatures on the car were part of its legacy, the restoration team changed its strategy. From then on, the team decided to focus even harder on saving every piece of the car -- even the most damaged parts.

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

"Somebody took the time to write their name on the undercarriage. We need to take the time to make sure that we straighten that piece of metal instead of replacing it," Bolognino said.

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

When it first arrived for restoration, the car looked like it had "been in a rock storm or something," Bolognino said.

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

Here's the sinkhole that swallowed eight prized Corvettes inside the museum's Skydome hall, on February 12, 2014.

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

The 1 millionth 'Vette paid homage to the first 1953 model: Both cars share the same black soft-top, white paint job and red interior color scheme.

Restoration of the 1 millionth Corvette

On July 2, 1992, the 1 millionth Corvette rolls off the line at a factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky. VIN: 1G1YY33PXN5119134. Base price: $40,145. The car included a cassette player with auto-reverse.