Bloomington Gold’s 50th Show Returns to Bloomington/Normal
Vette Vues Magazine is getting ready for the Bloomington Gold Corvette show. It’s finally here! The 50th Bloomington Gold Corvette show will be returning to its original location of Bloomington/Normal Illinois, where it all began 50 years ago. Bloomington Gold organizers want to bring the show back home this year in celebration of its golden anniversary.
As we look at Bloomington Gold’s 50th Corvette show, we look back at its history. It all began with a handful of friends gathering up some Corvettes for a day of fun. Now, 50 years later, it’s one of the premier car shows in the Mid West attracting Corvette and Camaro enthusiasts from all over the world! We’re so excited that they are returning to their roots in Bloomington/Normal where they will celebrate Bloomington Gold’s 50th Show on June 10 & 11, 2022. We can’t wait to see you there! Here’s a look back at some highlights from past shows and what to expect this year.
The History of Bloomington Gold Corvette
Starting in 1973, a group of Corvette owners gather around a corral of cars in a dusty field in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois. It grew quickly because they began inviting people to sell their used car parts. You see, swapping of car parts was very popular in the ’70s, as back then there was no internet or catalogs, so if you wanted parts, you had to go to the place to get them.
Over the years, the event was held at different venues starting in Springfield, IL once it left Bloomington. After Springfield, it moved to St Charles, IL then to Champaign IL. Next, it moved to Indianapolis where it stayed for 7 years. Now, for 2022, Bloomington Gold’s 50th event will return to Bloomington/Normal where it started.
When looking back at history, the thing that made it what it is today is the organization’s well-established judging system. No doubt this is what truly drove the event’s success home and sealed it as a place for enthusiasts to meet.
David Burroughs invented a system for Corvette judging that involved judging each car individually against its originality and authenticity. There isn’t a first-place winner or first-in-class. You are judged as to how accurate your Corvette is from when it left the factory. It’s an opportunity to earn awards and certifications for in Gold, Silver, Bronze, Survivor, and Benchmark awards.
50th Event Gold Salute to the Gold Collection
Starting off this year’s event is the Gold Salute. When Bloomington Gold returns to Bloomington, IL, so will the Gold Collection. It will be on display at Illinois State University where it had once been before; The Collection was founded here in 1984.
They will present the Gold Gala Salute to the Gold Collection from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Thursday, June 9th. Drinks and appetizers will be served to guests who come to see the new Bloomington Gold’s 50th Anniversary Gold Collection. Note: It is a ticketed event.
The 2022 Gold Collection
In the 50th Salute to the Gold Collection, you will see some truly historic Corvettes on display in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center.
C1s on Display
Starting with the 1956 Corvette Sebring Racer that was factory production and prepared for racing by GM. The 1956 Corvette SR2, built by GM Chief of Design, Harley Earl for his son Jerome will also be featured. The 1957 Corvette that will be on display was formerly owned by The Chip Miller Collection. You will see the 1960 Corvette Cunningham LeMans Racer – one of 3 Corvettes entered by Briggs Cunningham and another 1960 Corvette Amoudi LeMans Racer that enter in the Sebring 12 hour and was a class Winner. And yet another Sebring Racer, a 1961 Corvette.
C2s on Display
Two 1963 Corvettes: one is a ZO6 Export car and one was a Harley Earl Styling Car built for William Mitchell, GM chief of Design. There are two 1965s: one is a 32/375 Fuel Injected with only 1,500 miles on it and the other was owned by Peter Fonda and has the 396/425 engine. There are two 1966 Corvettes one is a 427/425 and the other is a special 1966 Corvette Development L88 – The Roger Penske Racer that was 1st in Class, 11th overall at the Daytona 24 Hour. There are two more C2s, both are 1967s – one is a 427/435, and the other is a 427/430 L88 with only 12 miles on it.
C3s on Display
There is the1968 427/430 L88 Band-Aid Racer Corvette, a 1969 L88 with 13,700 miles, and another 1969 ZL1 which is one of two produced. The only 1971 Corvette ZL1 convertible will be on display as one of 12 produced 1971 ZR2s. A special 1971 Corvette LS6 with 8,844 miles “Zora’s Last Hurrah!” and a 1975 Corvette convertible and lastly a 1978 Corvette Indianapolis 500 Pace Car L82 4-speed.
C4s on Display
There will be three C4s. A 1990 Corvette ZR1 with 43 miles, a 1990 Callaway Corvette – Cherry Smash ZR1/LT5 Speedster, and a 1996 Corvette Grand Sport convertible that has the Benchmark and was an export Corvette
C5s on Display
There is only one C5 but it is very special. It is the Dale Earnhardt Sr. – Team Driver 2001 Corvette C5.R Race Car.
As you can see, they have lined up some spectacular cars again this year for the Bloomington Gold’s 50th!
Schedule of Events for Bloomington Gold’s 50th
The main event starts Friday with the Gold Field Parking opening at 7:30. The spectator gates open at 8 am and all the actives begin, Gold Salue to Gold Collection, Certification in Redbird Arena, Swap Meet, GoldFiled, Chevy Dealer, Indoor/Outdoor vendor display, Special Display, Seminars and don’t forget to stop off along the way at the Beer Garden and enjoy some music before the show closes at 6 pm.
Saturday Cars and Coffe and the Gold Field Parking open at 7:30. At 8 am all the activities begin again. at 3 pm is the Certification Awards. At 4:30 you can start to line up for the Gold Tour which leaves at 5 pm.
The Bloomington Gold Standard of Judging
Bloomington Gold has a long, esteemed history as the premiere judging of Corvettes. They now recognize Camaros and certify their authenticity with Bloomington Gold Certifications. Every year, cars come to be judged for certification. The reason for this practice is that it offers a number of benefits with one final goal to have their car be awarded either Gold Certified®, SURVIVOR® or the much-coveted Benchmark® award or RESTO MOD.
Why should I get my Corvette certified?
The number one reason is it not only confirms the car’s authenticity but also makes it inherently more valuable. In most cases, cars with a certification yield higher selling prices when being sold.
The GoldYear and GoldMine
Corvettes celebrating their 50th anniversary (this year due to COVID it is open to 1970-1972 models) will have a special display. Usually, you can see every color that was available that year and in many cases every option.
The GoldMine is where you will find Corvettes for sale.
2022 Vendor at Bloomington Gold’s 50th
There will be many Corvette vendors present at Bloomington Gold’s 50th anniversary, including those selling car parts, memorabilia, and apparel. They will be located in a Swap Meet Parking lot, the Patio area, and in the Horton Field House, which is where Vette Vues Magazine will be located.
Are you looking for Corvette parts, memorabilia or apparel? Check out Vette Vues Magazine advertisers. They are sure to have what you need! You might also want to check out our Corvette classified ads.
Bloomington Gold School Seminars
Here is a list of some of the Seminars you can attend while at the Bloomington Gold Corvette show:
- The History of Bloomington Gold from the Inside
- Origins of COPO: The Quest for 427
- How does Bloomington Judge a Resto-Mod?
- The Rise and Fall GMMG Camaro
- The Inside Scoop from John Kraman (encore)
- After Certification … Now What?
- Stamp and Tags
Club Parking
Are you coming with a Corvette club? If so, then you’re in luck. The Gold Field parking lot is back, with special club parking, depending on the weather. If you are looking for a Corvette club to join, we have a complete list of Corvette clubs from around the globe.
2022 Road Tour at Bloomington Gold’s 50th
Returning again this is at the Bloomington Gold’s 50th is the 2022 Road Tour that will start at the grounds of the Illinois State University and you will travel part way along the historic Route 66! The tour, following the cruise, ends back in downtown Normal for a homecoming celebration.
Getting to Redbird Arena
Bloomington Gold’s 50th show is located at 702 West College Avenue, Normal, IL 61761, to enter the Arena’s shows, look for signs to guide you to parking. Illinois State University has ample parking as well as the surrounding vicinity.
Parking at Bloomington Gold’s 50th
The Bloomington Gold’s 50th Corvette event is held at the Illinois State University Redbird Arena in Bloomington/Normal.
Gold Year Parking (1970-1972): GoldYear Parking will be in front of Lot G73 on the East Side of Hancock Stadium, allowing the display to be visible from Main Street. The cost to park is $25 per day and includes 1 single-day admission. To register, please go here.
Parking- Corvette & Camaro only parking will be offered in the following lots:
G73, G53, S81.
Non-Corvettes will park in G64, the parking garage.
Overflow will be in lot S103. Shuttles will be provided as needed.
C8’s & Camaros in lot G73.
Handicapped Parking– 2022 Handicapped parking will be located in lot F72.
Cost for attending Bloomington Gold’s 50th Corvette Event
As you can see, there is a lot to enjoy at the Bloomington Gold’s 50th Corvette show. The 2022 Event will be held on June 10 & 11 in Bloomington, IL.
Tickets can be bought at BloomingtonGold.com
$25 per person/day
$45 per person for both days
12 and under are free.
At the gate:
$30 per day/$50 for both days
12 and under are free.
Need more details?
Visit the Bloomington Gold Corvette’s website or give them a call at (309) 888-4477.
You may think it’s impossible to find a Chevrolet Corvettes near me this weekend – but we have the answer. Whether you’re looking for car shows, swaps, or anything else with Corvettes, look no further than Vette Vues Magazine. Check out our Corvette Calendar of events.
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The Movie, The Quest is Coming to Normal, Illinois During the Bloomington Gold Corvette Show
This Friday during the Bloomington Gold Corvette show in Normal, Illinois, at the local theater, people who haven’t seen the film The Quest will have the opportunity to see it. The 90-minute movie is not rated. In 1960, the first Corvettes appeared at Le Mans. The Quest, tells the story of a 1960 Le Mans class-winning #3 Corvette. It features the beginnings of Corvette Racing at the famous Le Mans 24 Hour Endurance Race in France. The film recollects the events of that race and what happened to both Corvettes and their drivers. The Quest will be playing at the Normal Theater during the event.
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