Bloomington Gold Great Hall 2014: The Unrestored One

Champaign IL, June 27 2014 - For the 5th and final year the Great Hall at Bloomington Gold recognized 10 people and 10 Corvettes that had a large impact on the Corvette phenomenon.

1966 Corvette Certification Prototype: Changed judging direction

The Unrestored One - Imagine this ultra low-mileage unrestored big-block receiving only a 2nd place trophy.

Although its beauty was outstanding, it didn’t stand a chance at Bloomington in 1977 competing against an antiseptically prepared Corvette with a fresh $3,000 paint job.

Although rare and striking, the ten year old factory paint was not mirror smooth and some waves existed in the fiberglass – not to mention dull paint in the engine bay. Worse, the judges spotted pebbles in the original Good Year treads. More unforgivable, there were traces of fender well dust and smashed gnats in the grille. With not one engine accessory chromed, or polished, it was a miracle that it finished as well as it did. With not one engine accessory chromed, or polished, it was a miracle that it finished as well as it did.

Judges of that era viewed this as a nice old Corvette, but certainly not properly “prepared” to win a first place trophy. That required cosmetic perfection. That’s why the gleaming silver restored Corvette parked next to it was crowned the winner.

Far from a loser, this 2nd place Corvette inspired the creation of Gold Certification, the following year. Learn ho by reading about “the gleaming silver car” which is once again parked next to it.