At Henry County High, automotive students are working to get a red Corvette back on the road. The car has not been driven since 2012, when its owner, Fred Bockoever, died before he could give it to his grandson, Braylen Kirby, who is now a student at the school.
The car belonged to Fred Bockoever, who bought it for Kirby when he was about three years old and planned to give it to him later. Bockoever died in 2012 before the handoff, and the Corvette has not been driven since then, according to News Channel 5 Nashville.
A Classroom Repair Project
Braylen is enrolled in Henry County High’s automotive program, taught by Stephen England. Braylen and his mother, Dora Warner, asked England whether the class could take on the Corvette, making its repair a hands-on project for the students. They are currently working on the brake system; England said his goal is to get the car into condition to drive again, according to NewsChannel 5 Nashville.
Training Through Diagnosis and Repair
As broader context, the Tennessee Board of Regents says its Automotive Technology program combines classroom instruction and practice on simulated vehicle systems with hands-on diagnosis and repair of live vehicles. That description does not establish Henry County High’s specific curriculum or identify industry credentials offered there.
Warner said the Corvette reminds her of her father and that the restoration has brought his memory into the family’s daily life, according to NewsChannel 5 Nashville.
What the Corvette Means Now
Warner said she believes her father would have been in the shop working alongside the students. Braylen said he thinks his grandfather would be proud of the class’s effort.
Students have discussed possible names for the Corvette, but no final choice has been settled on, according to NewsChannel 5 Nashville.
Work Continues in the Shop
Training and Long-Term Storage
Tennessee’s 2024 Supply and Demand Report identifies automotive service technicians and mechanics among transportation occupations requiring additional training, according to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. The verified findings available here do not establish state or federal projections for employment or job openings in Tennessee. A Toyota long-term-storage bulletin hosted by NHTSA says cast-iron brake rotors may develop surface rust during extended storage. That bulletin does not establish the Corvette’s condition or provide a complete checklist for determining whether a parked vehicle is ready to drive.
The Corvette remains a work in progress, with the brake system the current focus before the students can determine whether it is ready to drive again.
