BOWLING GREEN, KY - A Tampa, FL, couple that donated one of the cars swallowed by a sinkhole at the National Corvette Museum says the car was `'part of the family.'' 

Kevin and Linda Helmintoller told the Daily News they donated the red 2001 Mallett Hammer Conversion ZO6 Corvette just six weeks ago. They had not even travelled to see it at the museum yet before a sinkhole opened up Wednesday morning and swallowed their car and seven other classic gems. 

The couple visited the museum on Saturday. Kevin Helmintoller said his car appeared to be underneath the others at the bottom of the hole. 

The museum is working to retrieve the cars, but Helmintoller says he isn't sure there will be much left of his beloved Corvette.