Thank you NCRS!

[John H.]

Re: Nashville/Bloomington/Flint

Tom -

Noland's probably still sleeping, or still on the road with Don, trailering his '53 back to California. He and Lucy and their helpers did a terrific job keeping the herd organized in spite of the expected level of chaos. I'll be posting my photos when I get a chance to sort and upload them.

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: Nashville/Bloomington

Tom,

-----Its nice to see someone on the NCRS site have a posative outlook about Bloomington Gold.Since I am,more or less,employed by B.G.(Jan and I have sold all the B.G.licensed clothing for 18 years now),I rarely participate in discussions.It obviously could be construed as self-serving.With that said I can tell you that,personally,we had another good show.Havent heard any definitive numbers yet,but we were very satisfied with both the number and the quality of all the participants.
-----I hope all who chose Nashville as a destination this year had a wonderful time and hope also to see you all again in St.Charles next year...........Bill S

[Mike Cobine]

Re: Nashville/Bloomington

Bill, at the risk of being censored again, I'd say that more NCRS members support Bloomington Gold than don't. With its history back to 1973, it predates NCRS, which many have forgotten was restricted membership back then ('62 and older). Who hasn't been to Bloomington Gold if they have been into Corvettes more than a few years?

I always thought BG belonged in Bloomington, and look back fondly of those days of trodding mud and straw in search of parts in the old Fairgrounds. I also found BG had a tradition of overall Corvette experience, not just the restored, but those that were driven, modified, and raced. I even remember when an autocross was part of BG. However, my last trip to BG in 2001 was somewhat marred by the constant critism of my very-nonstock '66 by many self-proclaimed "restoration experts" which much of this seems to have become.

I found it odd that Chevy went heads up against BG for their birthday celebration, in of all places, Nashville. Why they couldn't have teamed with the oldest Corvette show in the country is an unknown.

The SACC birthday in Flint makes sense - Corvette was born there. An event at St. Louis would have made sense, having been the longest home to Corvette at 27 years. Next would have been Bowling Green since it is the current home and the NCM. While some said Nashville was the closest big facility to the NCM, nothing I saw there couldn't have been held in Bowling Green except maybe the ZZ Top concert, and no more than were at it, they could have popped a stage and a tent at Beech Bend or the college to cover it easily. Heck, with all the grounds Chevy has, there would have been enough for an old fashion in-the-grass open air concert.

So don't hide the Bloomington Gold connection. Maybe I'll see you there next year.

[Craig S.]

Re: Nashville/Bloomington

Personally, I had a great time in Bloomington this year like every year. My favorite part are the technical classes, auctions, and judging on Sunday. I just wish the swap meet vendors were not fading as much as they are, I go to Carlisle for sure for the best of the best there, but BG had some better swaps in the past. Still a great show thoough!...and I really do like the Pheasant Run resort, and it's handier for me flying into Ohare, but, some of the mystique and nostalgia of Bloomington itself is missing...Craig

[Clem Z.]

Re: Nashville/Bloomington

they wanted to tie in with the NCM and the corvette factory tours at BG

[Tom Freeman]

Re: Nashville/Bloomington

..but on their schedule on the web site they don't even mention the NCM or factory. Only the events on Friday and Sat.

https://www.corvette50thanniversary.com/celebration/

https://www.corvette50thanniversary.com/news/ind_news_schedule.asp

[Eric J.]

# of 53's in Flint

Had the pleasure of being both at Nashville and then in Flint. At the peak we had 23 53's at the plant. Plus a dozen plant employees. Most from second shift (body assembly) Capped off by a drive through the actual building. Was truely an unforgetable site. I met the plant employee who sanded our body. Wow. see article:

http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/news-14/1057071168194020.xml

Eric #3182 53#286

[Clem Z.]

Re: Nashville/Bloomington

since i have been to the factory 1/2 dozen times i did not go this time but you had to register for the factory tour thru the GM 50 th site i believe.