Gold REView September 2023

Words from Guy:

The first weekend of June this summer was hot and DRY, a first in many years for Bloomington Gold! We hope that you enjoyed the show and the 2-day kick-off to summer. Thank you to all the sponsors, vendors and car owners who all made the 2023 event a success! As the days grow shorter and the leaves start to turn, it is time to start looking forward to next year’s show; mark your calendars for June 21 & 22, 2024 as we return the third weekend of June as well as Bloomington, IL.

However… before we look forward to next summer too fast, make note of Bloomington Gold Kissimmee January 9-11, 2024. While the focus of this event is Certification, even if you aren’t registering a car to be judged, we hope you join us for Mecum Auction Day on January 11. Here we will attend the Mecum auction as a group and enjoy not only the excitement of a live auction, but also the tents and tents of cars, from Corvettes to Classics! More info can be found later in the REView.

Enjoy the fall my friends,

Guy Larsen President and Founding Members

Mia Pia and Joe Cacciatore

MATT AVERY

Matt is the Executive Producer and host of the On the Move podcast. He was a repair technician for both BMW and Mercedes- Benz before acquiring a B.S. Degree in Film and moving into automotive journalism. He wrote for the TV show MotorWeek, was the senior video producer for the Cars.com editorial team and served on the Board of Directors for the Midwest Automotive Media Association. Matt’s latest book “COPO” is the authoritative guide to Chevy’s ultimate muscle cars. In 2020, Matt was recognized and awarded by SEMA as a rising young star within the automotive industry, making the coveted “35 Under 35 List.”

MARVELOUS MAY MOTORING

The month of May brought about the return of many Midwest automotive traditions. First was Dana Mecum’s 36th Original Spring Classic. Held annually in Indianapolis, that auction was followed by the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 race. Then, rounding out the high-octane month was Bloomington Gold, where I, along with numerous other showgoers and participants, once again made the trek to the campus of the Illinois State University to take in top Corvettes and Camaros. The show, which took place June 1-3, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year and boasted three days of nothing but classic Chevy activities.

Kicking things off was the highly curated Gold Collection with a special emphasis on a salute to the Corvette Z06. Included in the gathering were standouts like the Mickey Thompson 427 CI V-8equipped 1963 Z06, the first production 1963 Z06 (No. 100684) and the survivor 1963 Campbell Grant Z06. Later-model examples were also spotlighted, including the very latest 2023 Z06. This modern marvel features 670 HP and a 0-60 MPH time of 2.6 seconds. Camaros are also becoming regular sights at Bloomington Gold with an impressive lineup this year of first-gen Z28s, along with other newer examples, like a 1998 Camaro SS convertible— one of seven painted in Sport Gold Metallic.

Friday and Saturday had robust schedules with a swap meet, vendor displays, live music and multiple show fields all taking place in and around the Horton Field House. Another popular draw is the show’s Gold School educational seminars with both John Kraman and myself presenting. John gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look at Mecum through his “Inside Mecum Auctions” discussion, while I debuted my new in-depth hour-long lecture entitled “On the Prowl.” It examines Camaro’s longstanding connection to Panther imagery through four distinct eras, including the forthcoming 2024 Collector’s Edition Camaro. Also presenting was Josh Holder, GM’s Corvette Chief Engineer who gave walk-arounds of the 2023 Z06 and the 2024 Corvette E-Ray.

Certification and judging continue to play a huge role with eager enthusiasts vying to attain “Bloomington Gold” standards and vehicles being thoroughly gone over in the Redbird Arena.

Closing out this year’s event was the Gold Tour, in which dozens of participants cruised along in a massive parade following the historic Route 66 before a final Block Party held in uptown Normal, Illinois. As always, the days went too fast for us lead foot Chevrolet enthusiasts, but Bloomington Gold is already revved up to race into next year with all of us eager for another marvelous May of motoring.

Join us in Kissimmee!

Join us in Kissimmee this January for Bloomington Gold Certification Judging and an outing to the Mecum Kissimmee Auction! Whether you are having a car judged or just need an excuse for some Cars, Fun & Sun this January, we hope to see you in Kissimmee!

January 9-11 2024

KISSIMMEE

Bloomington Gold will offer Gold Certified®, SURVIVOR® and Benchmark® Judging in Kissimmee in January. This will replace Bloomington Gold Charlotte…

but why Kissimmee?

Actually, 2024 will not be the first time that Bloomington Gold has held certification in Florida. Certification judging was held in Kissimmee in January of 2021 when Bloomington Gold was unable to hold the October event in Charlotte due to Covid. Not only was the event a huge success but with the added attraction of the auction, it is a true car lover’s dream winter escape!

Embassy Suites Orlando

Lake Buena Vista South 4955 Kyngs Heath Rd

Kissimmee, FL 34746

SCHEDULE

Tuesday, January 9th

• Owner Check in and Tech Judging

Location:

Embassy Suites Orlando

Lake Buena Vista South

4955 Kyngs Heath Rd

Kissimmee, FL 34746

Wednesday, January 10th

• Owners meeting followed by Judging

• Awards Presentation

• Social Hour

Location:

Embassy Suites Orlando

Lake Buena Vista South

4955 Kyngs Heath Rd

Kissimmee, FL 34746

Thursday, January 11th

• Mecum Auction

• Free Tour of Auction Location:

Mecum Kissimmee Auction

Osceola Heritage Park

1875 Silver Spur Lane

Kissimmee, FL 34746

MECUM AUCTION TOUR

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11

Road Art: 9:00am

Car Auction: 10:00am

Tour: 10:30am

The tour will originate from the Mecum Service Station located on the Mecum Midway which is located in front of Silver Spur Arena. Tour lasts approx. 30 minutes and is open to any Bloomington Gold guest that has a ticket to the auction. Tour includes:

• How to consign a car

• How to bid on a car

• How to settle up on a car

• How cars are placed and staged

• How to read info cards on the cars

• How to work with cars that haven’t sold (Bid Goes On)

• Auction arena and how the process goes from selling to buying on the auction floor

• Mecum Sponsors

Need Tickets for the Mecum Auction?

Mecum Auctions is offering Bloomington Gold attendees a group discount ticket price for Thursday, January 11.

Tickets will enable attendees to enjoy the Mecum auction as a spectator.

See BloomingtonGold.com/Kissimmee and choose Mecum Auction to reserve.

HOTEL INFO

Embassy Suites Orlando

Lake Buena Vista South

4955 Kyngs Heath Rd

Kissimmee, FL 34746

SpringHill Suites Orlando

Lake Buena Vista South

4991 Calypso Cay Way Kissimmee, FL 34746

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This is the host hotel and where certification judging and Wednesday’s social hour will be held. A special room rate has been arranged for Tuesday, January 9 and Wednesday, January 10th.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A RESERVATION

Due to limited availability at the Embassy Suites, we have a room block at Springhill Suites, which is a few hundred feet from the Embassy. The rate is $129 per night and includes a hot breakfast. (Rate is offered Monday Jan 8-Sunday, January 15). Trailer parking is also available for guests!

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A RESERVATION

Bloomington Gold June 2 & 3, 2023 Judging Results

BENCHMARK®

BENCHMARK®

BENCHMARK®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON SILVER CERTIFICATE®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATE®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BENCHMARK®

BENCHMARK®

BLOOMINGTON SILVER CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON SILVER CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATE®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON SILVER CERTIFICATION®

BENCHMARK®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BENCHMARK®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON SILVER CERTIFICATION®

BENCHMARK®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATE®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATE®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BENCHMARK®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON SILVER CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

SURVIVOR GOLD®

BENCHMARK®

BENCHMARK®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BENCHMARK®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON SILVER CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON GOLD CERTIFICATION®

BLOOMINGTON SILVER CERTIFICATION®

Remembering Jerry Kohn, Innovator Corvette Central

Founder & Bloomington Gold Great Hall Inductee 2012

“Who would want reproduction parts?”

- Anonymous, 1974

Seriously? Who’d be crazy enough in 1975 to start a business making reproduction parts for old used cars?

Growing up in rural Minnesota, Jerry Kohn rarely saw a Corvette but nonetheless knew he wanted one. By 1969, he bought a ‘64 but sold it due to the demands of his casting and tooling business.

Several years later, he moved backwards to a 1958 Corvette. And that’s where his remarkable journey began. With engineering genes inherited from his father, young Kohn struck out on a venture that made little sense to anyone else. He would design and bang out Corvette parts that were either worn out or missing on the aging fleet of ‘50’s and ‘60’s Corvettes. Demographic peers of Kohn had the same appetite for old Corvettes but not the resources to make parts. They were waiting like baby robins.

Kohn created Corvette Central, based in Sawyer, Michigan. He created not only parts but also the distribution channels to serve the hungry and waiting market. Anyone associated with the Corvette world is familiar with the professional displays seen for decades at swap meets and major Corvette events.

From nowhere in Minnesota, Jerry Kohn turned a crazy idea into an industry serving 200,000 retail customers and 1,500 wholesale customers.

Crazy like a fox.

Kohn’s summary; “Success has been dependent on the right combination of passionate Corvette enthusiasts, quality parts at a fair price, loyal staff, and my family there every step of the way.”

And the rest is history. Rest in peace dear friend.

2023 Bloomington Gold

Presidential Award Recipients!

David Burroughs, El Paso IL Founder of Bloomington Gold, SURVIVOR®, Benchmark Certifications, & Special Collections

After going to car shows where only one car wins, David developed a judging system where every car had a chance to achieve the top award, thus was born the Gold Standard® of Judging. In 1978, the Gold Standard of Judging was implemented into an all-Corvette event that David had started in 1973, called the Corvette Corral, later renamed Bloomington Gold. While many people recognize David as the founder of Bloomington Gold, it is equally important that he is recognized for founding Bloomington Gold judging, which is still an important component of the event.

John Carlson, Joplin MO The Voice of Bloomington Gold and Information Booth Consultant

John Carlson has worked at every Bloomington Gold Show in some capacity since 1974. Early on he worked as a volunteer parking Corvettes in Gold Field. A few years in, he was systematically volunteered to read the show announcements in between his parking of the cars. Over the years he became the Voice of Bloomington Gold and an expert in everything Bloomington. John is also the Voice of Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in November each year as well as Display Coordinator at Mecum Auctions.

Al Grenning, Boonville NY Division Director Stamp and Tag Team

Matching numbers. Broach marks. Pad stampings. Casting dates. VIN and trim tags. ECL codes. Protect-O-Plates. Terms that glaze one’s eyes. Al Grenning’s unique skills have helped “pilgrims” better understand these very important clues before plunging into a high-risk transaction. Grenning is the single most respected authority decoding these arcane and obscure terms. He has collected tens of thousands of photos, copies, and tracings of this data in his library—all for the purpose of helping determine the authenticity of a Corvette’s identity. Without his dedication to collecting, analyzing, organizing, and publishing much of this data, the Corvette community would be subject to rampant forgeries and disinformation relative to rare and desirable Corvettes. His contributions and research data have been incorporated within the intricate judging systems unique to the Corvette community.