[PICS] The 2017 Gold Collection at Bloomington Gold

Each year the Gold Collection at Bloomington Gold salutes Corvettes turning 50 years old. This year recognized the 1967 Corvette. Since 1967’s are generally considered the pinnacle of the Corvette phenomenon, so it’s only natural that this Gold Collection was the biggest one to date.

Nearly 40 significant final-year C2’s were displayed inside an air conditioned chalet at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The selection of cars included coupes and convertibles, racers and bone stock examples as well as unrestored survivors and impeccably restored Sting Rays.

As you’d expect in a display of this magnitude most cars had claimed every major judging award there is. NCRS Top Flights and Duntov’s were flanked by Bloomington Gold and Benchmark award winners. Powertrains ranged from small block, 327 powered cars all the way up to the legendary L88.

Speaking of L88’s, the Gold Collection had 8 of the 20 produced on display last weekend. That’s the biggest gathering of 1967 L88’s in one spot that we’ve seen in several years. Probably our favorite L88 car was a white coupe known as The Flying Dutchman. That was driven, yes, driven to Indianapolis all the way from Miami. During the Thursday awards ceremony it was mentioned that the Dutchman had consumed 134 gallons of petrol on its northbound trek. If we assume that to be a 1200 mile or so trip, that equates out to roughly 9 miles per gallon. Take that, Prius owners!

One of our other favorites was a maroon 427/390 radio delete coupe which was visiting all the way from Germany. The car was originally delivered in Switzerland before making its way to Deutschland. During the awards ceremony, the Sting Ray took home a Gold Certification.

Elsewhere in the Gold Collection resided the famous white McNamara 2,200 mile coupe, the DeLorenzo L88 in its race livery, and several COPO Corvettes.

The 2017 Gold Collection at Bloomington was easily the best ever, but 2018 is going to give it a run for its money. Continuing the tradition of saluting L88’s in calendar years end in the number 8, the 2018 L88 Explosion is sure to be quite the experience. Mark your calendars now for the last full weekend in June so as not to miss next year’s Bloomington Gold event.

Enjoy our Gold Collection gallery below and be sure to tell us which 1967 Corvette is your favorite in the Comments section.

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