Bloomington Gold’s 2023 Gold Collection Will Salute Z06 Corvettes

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Bloomington Gold's 2023 Gold Collection will Salute Z06 Corvettes

Photo Credit: Bloomington Gold


As we assemble this blog post, it’s hard to believe that the summertime staple known as Bloomington Gold is less than three months away! As the 2023 event draws nearer, we’re starting to get a peak at what this year’s show will look like when it opens on Friday, June 2nd.

Recently, the Bloomington Gold team announced that the 2023 Gold Collection will salute Z06 Corvettes.

The Z06 option code burst onto the scene in 1963. It was THE option package for racers looking to dominate the competition. The first-year option package combined heavy duty brakes and suspension, the 360hp fuel injected 327ci engine, and a 4-speed transmission. A 36-gallon fuel tank was available for a portion of the production run. No radio was available with RPO Z06. The pricey option package added $1,818.14 (42%!) to the base Corvette price of $4,252. Just 199 Z06’s were built in 1963.

The Z06 option package only lasted one year before returning in 2001 on the 5th generation Corvette. Like before, that famous option code indicated you were purchasing the ultimate track Corvette. In C5 form, owners got a more rigid hardtop body style with a 405hp LS6 engine, upgraded suspension, and a mandatory 6-speed manual transmission. From there, the tradition continued on the C6 Corvettes with the monster 7.4 liter, 505hp, LS7 engine and fixed roof body style. Later, in the 7th generation, Z06-equipped Corvettes were powered by the supercharged, 640hp LT4 engine. Additionally, Z06 buyers could now choose between coupe and convertible bodies as well as their choice of manual or automatic transmissions. Of course, today Z06 is once again front and center with the immensely popular C8 Corvette. We’ve even covered it a little bit here. With 670hp from the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated engine, Chevrolet has once again put the world on notice to watch out on the track.

2017 Corvette Z06


With the release of the 2023 Corvette Z06, 60 years after the release of the first one, it just feels natural that Bloomington Gold pays homage to the uber-Vette this year.

Cars participate in the Gold Collection strictly on an invitation-only basis. They can be amazingly restored examples or unrestored originals. They can be factory racecars or GM styling or engineering cars. If it’s a unique or special Corvette and fits the current year’s theme, an owner can apply to show their car. From there, an astute selection committee will review the car’s resume and, if it’s it good enough, formally invite it to participate in the Gold Collection.

The 2023 Gold Collection will take place inside the Bone Student Center on the campus of Illinois State University on June 2nd and 3rd, 2023. With the Gold Collection being one of the marquee features of Bloomington, we expect the selection of 30ish cars to be second to none. We’re sure they’ll capture all 5 Z06 generations while showcasing the best and rarest Z06’s out there.

2023 Gold Collection Gala


The 2023 Gold Collection will be formally unveiled at the Gold Gala reception on Thursday, June 1st. If you want to see things before the general public, click here to grab a ticket. Otherwise, grab your $45 weekend pass which includes complimentary admission to the Gold Collection plus everything else Bloomington has to offer. Bloomington Gold 2023 takes place Friday June 2nd and Saturday June 3rd at Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal, IL. We’re already counting down the days until we’re there.


Source:
Bloomington Gold

Related:
[PICS] The Vanity Plates of the 50th Annual Bloomington Gold Corvette Show
[GALLERY] Midyear Monday! 50th Anniversary Bloomington Gold Edition
[PICS] The Gold Collection at the 50th Anniversary Bloomington Gold Show

 



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