Whose going to Bloomington?

[Steve G.]

Re: Who's going to Bloomington?

I also liked the Fairgrounds best... that's what I think of when I think "Bloomington." However, I heard Mecum wanted a more upscale Pebble-Beach- type event when he moved to the current location. Last year I was able to go to Pebble Beach, and I can see what he's going for now. While I'm nostalgic for the Fairgrounds too, sometimes time marches on.

[mike cobine]

Re: Who's going to Bloomington?

It's easier to sell $100,000 and $200,000 cars when the crowd is dressed in golf wear and sipping champaign glasses than when they are in t-shirts, cut-off shorts, and have crumbled Pepsi paper cups.

A lot has to do with how Corvettes and the Corvette owners have changed. First, most are OLD. Second, in the '70s, most had between $2000 and $10,000 tied up in their Corvette. Add a zero for today.

People used to cruise the town for parties, bars, and burn-out contests, but today pay to drive in a parade for entertainment. (Huh??)

[mike cobine]

Re: Who Remembers?

I remember staying in the Falcon Inn in Normal with our club. It was such a dive, they tore it down later that year.

I remember all of us being booted from the Motel 6 on the north side of Normal after someone tossed a couch and other furniture in the pool from the second floor. The manager had already had it with the diving from the second floor and the wet t-shirts. Turns out it was none from our club or the two other clubs with us, but a group not even at that motel.

I remember the hotel reservation problems in that those reserving with the hotels directly had rooms and those using the 800 line reservations didn't.

When you and three buddies split a room, and often you end up with 3 or 4 more before the weekend was out.

You didn't take girls to Bloomington, not if you were serious.

I remember Terry Michaelis explaining the minute differences in '68 and '69 seat covers as to stitching.

I remember, and probably most of you since it wasn't that long ago, awaiting the long anticipated firing of all those L88s - and waiting for the thunder, and waiting for the thunder, and waiting for the - oh wait, they ARE running.

Cursed mufflers!

The year the Illinois State Police was going after people selling bodies without VIN plates, as they considered them "cars" and not "parts". (They'd go nuts on eBay today.)

The straw trucks being one of the most welcomed items at the show.

The sprinkler trucks also getting that honor.

When the auction was in the center ring, not on the front lawn.

Eating at the very first Steak N Shake.

Getting some college girls to show us the town.

Driving up Route 66 when it really was Route 66, not just in name, but in pavement.

When Bloomington was on Route 66, in name, and in pavement, and not as Historic 66.

Having miles of Corvettes either behind or before you, probably both, and listening to the truckers on the CBs going nuts over all the Corvettes.

[Chas Kingston]

Re: Whose going to Bloomington?

Joe --

Sorry to read that you will not be coming to Pheasant Run. That means that you will miss my Friday evening Pizza blast to which all VHs are invited. All the Chicago style pizza you can eat, with liquids to wash it down. Deep-dish cheese, sausage, pepperoni, anchovie, mushroom or peppers and onion.

Ol' Geezer

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: Who Remembers?

------Hey DW you forgot one car in that description of OEMs party..........Bill S

[Dick W.]

Re: Who Remembers?

OOPS! Did fergit Red Alert. Anudder "Senior Moment"

[David R.]

Re: Whose going to Bloomington?

Michael,
I got just a few pictures scanned today, see them on my web site at:

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzn05pk2/Blm1979.htm

Pictures on Bloomington 1979

[Michael H.]

Re: Whose going to Bloomington?

Great shots David. I believe Richard Buxbaums #1 Grand Sport was just completed and was shown for the first time at this event.

If the red/red leather 66 BB conv is the one with 9000 original miles, it's the one I drove to Bloomington that year. Eventually sold to Dr Bill Miller.

Great memories of days gone by.

[Tom R.]

Re: Whose going to Bloomington?

After spending a few days in Chicago well be there.

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: Whose going to Bloomington?

Mike,

-----That is, indeed, the infamous "iron-pipe-exhaust" car. Once straightened out it was a beauty............Bill S

[Michael H.]

Re: Whose going to Bloomington?

Sure wish I would have taken several pic's of that exhaust system before it was removed. 1st (and last) one like that I've seen. If I remember correctly, the orig owner was a plumber and installed 2.5" water pipe from just below the manifolds all the way back to the mufflers. Guess he was tired of replacing conventional exhaust pipes?

Wonder where that car is today?

[David R.]

Expanded pictures for 75, 76, 79

I have posted additional pictures of Bloomington in '75, '76 and '79.




Bloomington pictures 75, 76, 79

[Art A.]

Re: Expanded pictures for 75, 76, 79

Dave, Would that be John Amgwert(next to the guy in the pink shirt)looking at the 53 in the 75 shots.

Art

[mike cobine]

Re: Whose going to Bloomington?

In your 1979 pictures, the Pace Car has a black coupe next to it. I beleive that was the one with the 427 in it, new car, with a big block. I want to say an aluminum 427, but I can't remember.

Yes, Michael is right, that is the first showing of the GS. Because of this, Dan Garner was building a GS replica at the time and decided to go with a roadster insted of a coupe. It was seen later at Bloomington and made the cover of Vette, I think, as GS006.

Zayre, I couldn't remember the name, but your autocross picture helped that. Bet you haven't seen a '59 or '60 autocrossing in a long time.

In '80, they moved the autocross down to another lot about a half mile down the road. That was pretty much the end of it.

Thanks for the memories.

[Geoff C.]

Earthquake 88 was the L-88 tribute *NM*