How does one go about getting a certification of this type? Is there a form to fill out or entry document to complete? Do I have to take my car to them? etc,etc, etc.

thanks
GREGG-73 :thumbs:

 

Sir,

You cannot fill out a form and have a certificate mailed. This type of Corvette recognition involves paying an entry fee, bringing your vehicle to the specified location (usually central Illinois) and having it evaluated by a group of specific model year vehicle judges. The paramount criteria for achieving this award is how close the vehicle measures up to that which was originally built by St Louis or Bowling Green. Cleanliness is a lesser concern.

Geoffrey Coenen
NCRS #2473
NCM Lifetime #105
Precision Valley Corvette Museum Charter Member #20 (I think)
Vettehead #18-1
Retired #1 56, 63, 67, 68, 68, 69, 75, 99 and I want more! :D

 

A lot of information is available on their website:
http://www.bloomingtongold.com/home.html

(OK to post link? :) )

And there are several guys on the forum that actually do the Bloomington judging. They may see your post here, or are more likely to be found in the "factory correct" forum. :) MJ

 

Thanks for your reply.

I was not thinking in terms of a mail in cert, moreover what I was after was whom to contact by mail or other to get things underway. I now have this info and will follow up on it. Thanks again!

GREGG-73 :thumbs:

 

Hi,

I just heard back from the Bloomington people and they are sending me info on what I need for possible certification this summer. WISH ME LUCK, A LOT OF LUCK! I'll throw some dirt on the car, as I wouldn't want any point deduct's for being too clean.LOL
GREGG-73 :lol: :lol: :p: :p:

 

I am also looking forward to the BG show this year as well, hopefully I will get the GOLD with my 69. Good Luck with your 73 :cheers:


[Modified by SBR, 8:06 PM 1/7/2003]

 

Good Luck you guys!!! There's a BG show in my future as well. ;)

 

If you guys haven't joined the NCRS you should. Their judging format is equal to Bloomington in many ways, or at least it's fair to say that cars that do well at one, frequently do at the others. One of the BIGGEST advantages to NCRS is the fact that meets are held in various locations throughout the country in different parts of the year. I have 69's that are both Bloomington Gold and multiple NCRS Top Flights and find them both sophisticated barometers of a car's quality and authenticity.

 

Bad Idea, very bad. NCRS is the one that is NOT critical of dirt. Other fans here of Bloomington say "dirt" does'nt matter-but IT DOES!!! I know of a very, very lowmile '75 that "FAILED" Benchmark because of "dirt". Also a very lowmile '72 that ALSO FAILED Benchmark due to "dirt". This is just my opinion, and I grant I'm not ALWAYS RIGHT, BUT I'M SELDOM WRONG, Bloomington is more interested in what I call "pretty cars" or restored cars. If you're going for "Benchmark", it better be a super low mile ""original"" stored in a heated museum or garage and CLEAN AS A PIN AS THE DAY IT WAS NEW, OR you will not get the Gold or Benchmark-been there every year since '91, so you can say I've seen and done ENOUGH to know ;) ;) ;)

 

Paul,

I wouldn't dream of throwing dirt on my car. That comment was just a friendly little razz to my first reply. LOL=LAUGHING OUT LOUD.

I am sure many members here would love to pick your brain for the knowledge you have gained through experience. I know I would!

When I get my judging sheets for my car I'll be back for more info, I hope you will be here then.

GREGG-73 :D

 

Does it not bother anyone that Bloomington is all about the commercialism and Corvette the object.

Bloomington fails to contribute to the body of knowledge of what we know about Corvette history, heritage, production and assembly. This comes from other national organizations such as NCCC, NCRS, NCM and SACC.

Or have I missed something?

 

Tom,

You have lost me with your ideal that Bloomington is mere commercialism.

Granted, all the mentioned organization's you have noted in your post are to be given their due for what they are and support-THE CORVETTE.

But, all of them use Bloomington as their benchmark for the gold medal in the olympics, if you will, of Corvette enthusiasts. Without this (Bloomington Certification) we would not have anything to strive for or compete in, or for that matter a standard to be judged by. No, it's not for everyone, some owners could care less, and some owners believe it is too stringent an award to even compete in. If it was easy to aquire (commercially) then everyone would have a cert in their back pocket, hence, the whole meaning of this prestigious / honored award would be lost .

You make your comment, and then place a link about your car in CF magazine w/the title "BUILDING A COLLECTABLE". I don't want to offend anyone here , but to me it seems very hypocritical on your part to even suggest that Bloomington is mere folly and an non-contributing factor to the Corvette vehicle as a whole.

I don't know nor can I speak for other's and their thoughts on this subject. But I am sure you will here from those "others" about your post here.

I truly believe it's all about what the individule holds dear to them in as far as hobbies are concerned. My car has been published in CF, twice! But a TOP FLIGHT award would mean so much more to me.

So, am I missing something here?

GREGG-73 :thumbs:


[Modified by GREGG-73, 3:42 PM 1/8/2003]

 

Gregg
A lot depends on what type of certification you are looking for. Survivor or restored. I received, or should I say my car received, the survivor certification last June at Bloomington, in Chicago. The survivor judging does not care about cleanliness what so ever, but as you go up it does matter.
Larry

 

One other comment I have about Bloomington is I know it is not "as in depth" as NCRS judging. In NCRS judging, you'll have 5 Teams of 2 people checking your Operations, Engine Compartment, Chassis, Interior and Exterior. Each team of two people can take an hour or more JUST on the ONE AREA they are judging. Bloomington has 4 or 5 people judge all of the above in like 26 minutes or less. This type of judging just is not as in depth at all near the NCRS way of judging. I'm not being critical, but this is just the way it is. Bloomington judges are very good, they just limit their time they take to judge a vehicle. Plus, as mentioned above, there are many NCRS Regionals across the country, but only one Bloomington. :yesnod:

 

And to me that gives the edge to Bloomington Gold certification, i.e., harder to get since it is only once a year and at only one location. The NCRS Regionals across the country can cause their Top Flight status to be on two seperate levels due to the level of judging. The judges at the locals may not be as good or knowledgable as the national judges. So you could end up with a car with a local Top Flight that would only get a second flight at the Nationals. To me, the Bloomington Gold and the NCRS Nationals would be on the same level, with the NCRS regionals somewhere below those.

But you should play on both fields. Don't do one and leave the other out. Go for the Bloomington Gold and the Top Flight at the NCRS Nationals and use the NCRS regionals to get the car ready for the big dogs :D

tom...

 

HERE IT COMES, EVERYBODY BETTER HOLD ON TO THEIR SHIFTER'S!

GREGG-73 :boxing :steering: :skep: :skep: :skep: :skep: :skep:

 

point well made and taken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GREGG-73 :thumbs:

PS -hey tom,I sent you pic of my car--NO POST'em :smash:

 

I am so far behind that I don't know which way is up :) Hang in there, I will get it posted on The '73 Spot. :cheers:

tom...

 

Tom, I am not sure how I can help you, but if help is what you need, all you have to do is ask.

GREGG-73 :cheers: :seeya

 

My plan is to achieve the triple crown for my car. First is to Top Flight it. As has been said there are many local NCRS shows that will require a lot less money, time and effort to enter. Once I've got the car sorted out and Top Flighted, it's on the road :steering: to BG and Chicago's Chevy Vette Fest (Gold Spinner Award) for the triple. It's my understanding you don't have to achieve all three in the same year. :)