Bloomington Gold Changes..

[Michael H.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Changes..

Actually, there was a LOT of that going on back then.

[Dennis O.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Changes..

On SMALL blocks?

[Tim S.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Changes..

In my own warped opinion, this is where I have a problem with it all. As I understand it, engine pads that were Top Flight awarded mere weeks before BG were rejected in St. Charles. If that is indeed the case, I can only attribute that to a judging philosophy and standards. Not so much the judge himself. With that being said, I think we all know who drives the judging philosophy of BG.

Ironically, a car was marketed as "restored as unrestored" that same weekend. The restorer of that car seems to be the same individual who dictates the judging philosopy at BG. I can appreciate the idea of restoring a car no better than it was originally produced. My question then becomes...........what in the hell makes that engine pad any different than the rest of the car?

http://mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=BG0611-111979

Speaking for myself, times and subjects like this make me lose all interest in having my cars judged. Anyone ever wonder why people who own original, legitimate, and thus spectacular cars will never present those cars to the eyes of a judge? As mentioned in another thread before, it is quite possible some of the best original cars may stay under the radar until the hobby takes a collective breath and relaxes.

Okay................I am going to go and have a drink and get off of my soap box. BTW, if for some reason I have my facts incorrect, please set me straight. This is a hobby my wife and I love dearly. Not only for the cars, but more importantly the people!

Tim

[Tim S.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Changes..

On SMALL blocks?

You bet! 350hp A/C?

[Dick W.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Changes..

Here's a question; probably unrelated to all of this, but I don't think it's worth a new thread. I have a '67 L79 I have owned since 1987. The pad looks good to me, but I'm not an expert (I bought the car to relive the memories of the '67 L79 I bought new in 1967). What are the chances that someone did a quality re-stamp before October 1987?

There were several individuals that possessed very good stamps, even that far back.

[Michael H.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Changes..

There were several individuals that possessed very good stamps, even that far back.

Even further. Mid/late 70's.

[Dick W.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Changes..

Even further. Mid/late 70's.

I know where there is a very good set from that era. Supposedly, over the years, quite a few cars have made BG with those stamps.

[Greg G.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Changes..

Demand for 67's was sufficient enough by 1987 to have that? What were they selling for then?

[Dennis O.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Changes..

I paid 12.5K for a 63K mi car (after owning the car for 25 years, I believe it was actual). Goodwood Green coupe, L79 4SP (NO a/c), PS running and driving car' Looked pretty good too. In retrospect, it looks like I bought it just before these thing took off.

[Ron H.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Changes..

You are right Dick. Anyone that thinks otherwise is pi**ing in the wind. Unless you bought the Corvette new would you know for sure that it is origional so how can one swear that it is when judged. I love it that if the judge dosn't like the pad & it failes you are not given a reason & your car is branded a counterfit. I would not have my cars judged there anymore even for free. It get's me that someone thinks they are that good to tell 100% for sure it's a factory stamp. I have had 3 Corvettes certified gold starting in 82 & NCRS judged. We didn't do it for the money nut for the love of the car. Too bad the big time restorers & some people with a lot of money changed everything. TOO BAD.
KEN

Agree 100% Kenneth. Worst thing that NCRS ever did was anoint an individual as the "king of stamp pads and broach marks". I have absolute proof of a re stamp that received his blessing, and another original owner car that got thumbs down. Prior line photographs do not scientifically guarantee future results on 1960s non computerized assembly lines.

[Dick W.]

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Changes..

Demand for 67's was sufficient enough by 1987 to have that? What were they selling for then?

I can't remember what year in the mid80'S but I paid 18,000.00 for a white/teal original paint 435. Waited 8 months to buy the Corvette because I thought it was too much money. I took it to Bloomington the year for sale cars were on the bowling alley so someone might remember. I was asking 25,000.00 & took it home because everyone thought the price was too high.
One more note. Very few Corvette had there original engines. As soon as Dave started the restoration craze for midyear & later did you see a lot of "ORIGINAL MOTOR" Corvettes. Yes they were stamping big & small blocks back in the day when the price of all cars were going up every month. As soon as NCRS started judging midyear Corvettes 90% had "ORIGINAL" motors. Like I & Dick said I beleave strongly a lot of stamps in BG/AL'S book are restamps.
KEN

[Michael H.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Changes..

Very few Corvette had there original engines. As soon as Dave started the restoration craze for midyear & later did you see a lot of "ORIGINAL MOTOR" Corvettes. Yes they were stamping big & small blocks back in the day when the price of all cars were going up every month. As soon as NCRS started judging midyear Corvettes 90% had "ORIGINAL" motors. Like I & Dick said I beleave strongly a lot of stamps in BG/AL'S book are restamps.
KEN

Ken,

I think there were more cars with original engines than without in the 70's and early 80's. Maybe not as many solid lifter big blocks though.

I don't think Burroughs started the "original engine/matching numbers" craze. I think it was Richard Buxbaum in about 1975. If anyone happens to have old Hemmings or Vette Vues from 75-76, take a look at his ad's.

[Dick W.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Changes..

I can't remember what year in the mid80'S but I paid 18,000.00 for a white/teal original paint 435. Waited 8 months to buy the Corvette because I thought it was too much money. I took it to Bloomington the year for sale cars were on the bowling alley so someone might remember. I was asking 25,000.00 & took it home because everyone thought the price was too high.
One more note. Very few Corvette had there original engines. As soon as Dave started the restoration craze for midyear & later did you see a lot of "ORIGINAL MOTOR" Corvettes. Yes they were stamping big & small blocks back in the day when the price of all cars were going up every month. As soon as NCRS started judging midyear Corvettes 90% had "ORIGINAL" motors. Like I & Dick said I beleave strongly a lot of stamps in BG/AL'S book are restamps.
KEN

What about a '66 427-425 36.5 gallon tank, found out later it had M-22 and J-56. Only $2,400.00 in 1974.. Oh, did I mention that it had a brand new, out of the GM box, 1967 bolt on wheels? I paid $6k for my '69 L/88 about 1985

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Changes..

Ken,

I think there were more cars with original engines than without in the 70's and early 80's. Maybe not as many solid lifter big blocks though.

I don't think Burroughs started the "original engine/matching numbers" craze. I think it was Richard Buxbaum in about 1975. If anyone happens to have old Hemmings or Vette Vues from 75-76, take a look at his ad's.

I agree. Maybe Dave didn't start it but he sure took the ball & ran with it & about that time prices started to go up fast with more demand that Corvettes. Rember how craze it was in the for sale lot at BG. You are right that a lot more low HP engins were original. I should have said very few big blocks. My guess on what I saw would be 25% big blocks & 50% small blocks with most of the small blocks being low HP cars. It was cheaper & faster to swap motors than to rebuild plus you needed to get the car on the road fast.
KEN