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Depends what or why you go to BG, I guess. I lived in Bloomington, IL from '74-'83 and was actually a member of the Bloomington Corvette club from '74-'76. Back then it was simply called "Bloomington" and was a Corvette gathering with the 'swap meet' area being the largest attraction. Also held a drive thru the country side and an autocross. Later a car auction was added.
But the "famous" Mr. David Burroughs almost single handily turned into a certificate show where correct grease pencil and bolt heads ruled the day. At which point I bailed from the club. I was a nobody driving a pos '69 roadster as my DD. Poor paint, Hooker headers and side pipes, loud as hell and blast to drive.
And so it is today, a place to get your car judged for correctness, as if NCRS isn't enough. Swap meet? What the H is that? As you found out probably only old farts like me there.
Last time I went to BG was in the 90's when it was at the Il Fair Grounds in Springfield. But if a person is into the show thing and having a certificate to hang on the wall (and admittedly a possible $$ boost in value) then BG is THE place to be. Me, I'd rather be driving. Guess I'm crotchety and obviously not that into the show thing, so YMMV.
Depends what or why you go to BG, I guess. I lived in Bloomington, IL from '74-'83 and was actually a member of the Bloomington Corvette club from '74-'76. Back then it was simply called "Bloomington" and was a Corvette gathering with the 'swap meet' area being the largest attraction. Also held a drive thru the country side and an autocross. Later a car auction was added.
But the "famous" Mr. David Burroughs almost single handily turned into a certificate show where correct grease pencil and bolt heads ruled the day. At which point I bailed from the club. I was a nobody driving a pos '69 roadster as my DD. Poor paint, Hooker headers and side pipes, loud as hell and blast to drive.
And so it is today, a place to get your car judged for correctness, as if NCRS isn't enough. Swap meet? What the H is that? As you found out probably only old farts like me there.
Last time I went to BG was in the 90's when it was at the Il Fair Grounds in Springfield. But if a person is into the show thing and having a certificate to hang on the wall (and admittedly a possible $$ boost in value) then BG is THE place to be. Me, I'd rather be driving. Guess I'm crotchety and obviously not that into the show thing, so YMMV.
Exactly we took our 78 Anniversary 4 spd... and it Benchmarked. Traded that car for a 73 Big Block 4 spd car, best trade I made in a while...Would NOT go back for the show, but IF I were wanting to title a car I might... like you, not into pedigree and certificates anymore. Finally found the Pic of Bridget with one of the Judges when her 78 was Benchmarked...
Last edited by 73Corvette; 06-30-2016 at 07:39 PM.
The last show I went to was in St. Charles, IL. It was a blast. Lots of cars maybe 5000, big swap meet, auction lots of vendors, judging, was really cool. Seems to me it lasted 3 or 4 days and was lots of fun.
Sorry to hear that it was not good. Makes me glad now that I did not drive all the way up there from Texas for that....
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I went last year and you're right, there were only a few vendors and mainly parts for older cars. The highlight for me was riding along with a Ron Fellows driver - that was a blast. Didn't go this year - not sure I'll go again unless things change. I might try to make Carlisle and see what it's is like.
I went last year and you're right, there were only a few vendors and mainly parts for older cars. The highlight for me was riding along with a Ron Fellows driver - that was a blast. Didn't go this year - not sure I'll go again unless things change. I might try to make Carlisle and see what it's is like.
You should go to Funfest this year. I would love to do Carlisle but that's a pretty long trek.
I think Bloomington Gold is great if you're rebuilding a C1-C3. It's fun to look through all the old parts trying to find what you're looking for. If you have a more modern Corvette then there's not a lot out there for you. The auctions were fun but I don't believe they do those anymore.
It would be fun to drive your car on the track but when you're limited to 50mph or whatever snoozing speed it is then it's not that enticing. I may go next year just to check it out again but they really need to try and make it more appealing.
Attended Saturday, Rented a Golf Cart and was able to get all over in the Sun and Heat in style! Besides doing the Track Tour the highlight was finding the Factory Service manuals (used and in good condition) for my 99. The other fun thing was just seeing all the vintage Vettes and looking them over bringing back old memory's. I may not go back next year but it was fun to do.
To the OP, thank you for sharing. I went to the last show in Bloomington IL, planned on two full days, I had no preconceived ideas, only what I had seen on the forum etc.
It was great to see the different Corvettes, however for me I was underwhelmed with the rest of it.
I walked the full show with my trusty camera in tow, took pictures and left all up maybe 5 1/2 hours.
Back to my hotel, we left the next morning a day early.
I am not in a Corvette Club, or have a network of folks to hang out when visiting shows, maybe that made the difference?
Decided not to visit another one. I would like to visit Carlisle.
06-26-2016, 10:50 AM
Bloomington Gold. Not what I thought.
