[GALLERY] The 2016 Gold Collection Celebrates the 1966 Corvette Sting Ray

The Gold Collection at Bloomington Gold has picked up where the Great Hall and Special Collection left off. Each year it celebrates a special group of Corvettes. This year the Gold Collection paid homage to the 1966 Corvette as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. It’s no secret that we big fans of 1966 Corvettes around here, so naturally we were looking forward this portion of the Bloomington Gold show quite a bit.

Several “firsts” were available on Corvette in 1966. It was the first year for the 427 cubic inch engine as well as the M22 rock crusher transmission. Model year changes included the removal of the coupe’s B pillar vents plus new standard backup lights and Holley carbs atop all motors. Total production was 27,720 units consisting of 9,968 coupes and 17,762 convertibles. The most popular color was Nassau Blue with 6,100 units produced while Tuxedo Black was the lowest production hue at just 1,190 units.

Twenty-four special 1966 Corvettes were displayed as part of the Gold Collection in a chalet adjacent to the judging plaza inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 8 of the cars were competition cars while the other 16 were actual production cars.

In the racer group several cars we’ve seen around the show circuit including the famous blue and yellow Penske L88, the #14 Harold Whims car, the black and yellow Eight Ball racer, the Cornelius Daytona racer, the Pat Pickett SCCA car, and the white Best Photo racer.

Two others cars not seen on this side of the Atlantic Ocean in a very long completed the competition portion of the Gold Collection. The red L88 / M22 corvette was the 2nd one built with that powertrain combination. It was ordered through Roger Penske who also did the racing prep work alongside Dick Guldstrand before it was exported to Germany. Its racing career began in early 1966 and was presented in unrestored condition in the Gold Collection. A Mosport Green big block, big tank coupe also from Germany completed the competition group. The car was built on 10/29/65 and delivered to the Black Lake at GM’s Milford Proving Grounds.

The remaining Gold Collection members consisted of low mile originals, high scoring Gold and Benchmark Certified cars, as well as NCRS Duntov and Bow Tie cars. Some of our favorites included a red/red 427/450 Bloomington Benchmark and NCRS Duntov convertible, a stunning 11,000 mile Bloomington Benchmark 427/390 convertible, and a super highly optioned 427/425 and N03 big tank Gold Certified coupe.

All of the Gold Collection Corvettes were stunning examples of 1966 model year Corvettes. From early production prototypes to all out racecars, there was something for everyone to see. It’s not surprise that the Gold Collection chalet was quote busy all weekend.

Next year the Gold Collection will feature the 1967 Corvette. We expect L88’s, more racers, and highly decorated cars.

Enjoy our Gold Collection gallery below.

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