Remembering BLOOMINGTON........
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 71
Likes: 24
From: Georgetown, Texas
Remembering BLOOMINGTON........
Back in the late 70's, 80's and early 90's, Bloomington was the high point on my Summer Corvette activities. A weekend of Corvettes and fun centerd arond the McClean County Fair Grounds and the old Holiday Inn just accross the road. Days wondering the fairgrounds looking for just the right part to complete that restoration or another vette!! Once, I drove one car up, sold it, bought another in the Holiday Inn parking lot and drove it home the next day. And before the internet, it was the ONLY way to track down that unique part. And Saturday night in the parking lot watching the endless parade of Vettes circle the lot. As I recall, the South side parking lot was the calmer side where we just watched and swapped stories. Lots of beer and bull crap. The North side parking lot was not quite as tame. A more rowdy bunch over there. With burn outs that not only made history, but also set off the smoke alarms iside the old Holiday Inn. Sunday morning, the hangover, and the Concourse (which later became Bloomington Gold Certification) and the long drive home. Those were the days........
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,269
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
In the early years David's take on the state of the art of restoration, and the "Restoration Workshops", were instrumental in getting more than a few folks getting serious about what they were doing in their garages!
And yes, the swap meet!!!!!
Then, Earthquake 88.
Regards,
Alan
In the early years David's take on the state of the art of restoration, and the "Restoration Workshops", were instrumental in getting more than a few folks getting serious about what they were doing in their garages!
And yes, the swap meet!!!!!
Then, Earthquake 88.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,674
Likes: 1,830
From: Huntsville AL
Never made it to Bloomington but always heard good things about it. The whole internet thing took the fun out of going to Auto Swap Meets and I can understand why.
I used to spend two solid days digging through parts in the infield at the Daytona Turkey Run. Now it's just new reproduction junk and tee shirt vendors.
I used to spend two solid days digging through parts in the infield at the Daytona Turkey Run. Now it's just new reproduction junk and tee shirt vendors.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 768
From: Waterford WI
Great meet at the fairgrounds and the special collection was at the Bone student center. You had to pay to get in, but there was special lighting, 50-60's music, and generally the special collection car owners hung around so you could talk with them. Attendance was better with traveling a few miles and paying a small fee than when it became onsite and free.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,317
Likes: 291
From: Ocala FL
Hi,
In the early years David's take on the state of the art of restoration, and the "Restoration Workshops", were instrumental in getting more than a few folks getting serious about what they were doing in their garages!
And yes, the swap meet!!!!!
Then, Earthquake 88.
Regards,
Alan
In the early years David's take on the state of the art of restoration, and the "Restoration Workshops", were instrumental in getting more than a few folks getting serious about what they were doing in their garages!
And yes, the swap meet!!!!!
Then, Earthquake 88.
Regards,
Alan
Bloomington in the old days was a great time. It was how you found parts. It was where you met everyone. It is where everything happened.
Of course, the longer it went, the more Bloomington Gold (R) tried to run every aspect of the weekend, with a price, of course.
It was a time that people DROVE their old Corvettes hundreds of miles to a big Corvette show.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,317
Likes: 291
From: Ocala FL
The Holiday Inn was too rich for our blood. Plus it was always sold out. the first couple of years Mississippi Valley Corvette Association stayed at the Falcon Inn on US 51 near where the Special Collection was later housed in Normal. Later we were in the Motel 6 along with Boone Trail Corvette Club, I think. Later we got rooms in the new hotels on Route 9 over by I-55.
Lots of fun back then, hitting the local college bars and clubs, doing a little street racing, cruising around all over, including hitting the Holiday Inn to watch the burnout contests.
Lots of fun back then, hitting the local college bars and clubs, doing a little street racing, cruising around all over, including hitting the Holiday Inn to watch the burnout contests.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,269
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi PR,
Nice photos!
They made me remember the HEAT followed by the afternoon thunderstorms!
I wonder what percentage of cars have had side exhaust on them at some point in their life?
Thanks!
Regards,
Alan
Looks like this could be Bloomington but I'm not sure.
Nice photos!
They made me remember the HEAT followed by the afternoon thunderstorms!
I wonder what percentage of cars have had side exhaust on them at some point in their life?
Thanks!
Regards,
Alan
Looks like this could be Bloomington but I'm not sure.
Last edited by Alan 71; May 5, 2017 at 07:51 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,269
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi dmx,
I'm afraid that Bloomington and Carlisle, at their beginnings, were something that can't be duplicated again!!!!
I think that's what makes them so special for people who remember them.
Regards,
Alan
I'm afraid that Bloomington and Carlisle, at their beginnings, were something that can't be duplicated again!!!!
I think that's what makes them so special for people who remember them.
Regards,
Alan
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 17
From: mackinaw IL
We really miss it there as it was 15 minutes away. Only got to one restoration workshop but was planning on several more and also liked going to the auctions. I remember Bloomington's mayor Judy ***** said she wasn't going to pay a 3000 dollar ransom to keep it there.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 524
Likes: 22
From: St. Charles Mo.
The Holiday Inn was too rich for our blood. Plus it was always sold out. the first couple of years Mississippi Valley Corvette Association stayed at the Falcon Inn on US 51 near where the Special Collection was later housed in Normal. Later we were in the Motel 6 along with Boone Trail Corvette Club, I think. Later we got rooms in the new hotels on Route 9 over by I-55.
Lots of fun back then, hitting the local college bars and clubs, doing a little street racing, cruising around all over, including hitting the Holiday Inn to watch the burnout contests.
Lots of fun back then, hitting the local college bars and clubs, doing a little street racing, cruising around all over, including hitting the Holiday Inn to watch the burnout contests.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
Well said as always Alan. 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 174
From: Deerfield Illinois
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I used to go when it was at Pheasant Run Resort in St Charles Illinois, a nice hour ride and now it is way to far. It was a great show and we miss it greatly. Here is one of my favorite pictures, tuxedo black and red cars lined up, some have L88s
