Bloomington Goldschool Question

[Greg Gore]

As you know the various restoration and technical workshops at the annual Bloomington Gold event have been discontinued in favor of classes geared to teach folks unfamiliar with how to determine what is original and correct for a given year up to about 1971 I think. Are these classes better suited to the beginner who would be completely unfamiliar with how to determine originality or correctness before they buy or do you think they are well worth the over $400 tuition cost for someone who is fairly experienced?

[knight37128]

I think $400 is highway robbery.

If you raise the price, you can keep more people out.

To some (most) this is only a hobby.

[Greg Gore]

It sure is expensive. I am asking because I am looking for a 435 car and realize it could be pretty easy to make a mistake with all the clones and forgery work out there. I thought the class might be worthwhile if it presented some good in-depth knowledge rather than glossing over the basics. I wonder if the real reason behind the classes is to get auction attendees equipped with a few facts to encourage more bidding rather than standing around scared to bid?

[JohnZ]

Greg, the course is designed for folks who are in a position to make a major classic Corvette investment and want to make sure they don't make a major mistake; it's about awareness of where to look, what to look for, and how to interpret what you see, and it's not intended for beginners who aren't familiar with Corvettes.

It's a quite intensive 3-1/2-hour review of interior, exterior, suspension, and engine compartment items on side-by-side original and restored cars, followed by a 30-minute documentation and "numbers" review by Al Grenning.

The instructors for each year class have been assigned, and are all experienced NCRS Master Judges AND Bloomington Gold Certification Judges; I'm doing the 1963 class.

[Easy Mike]

Originally Posted by knight37128

I think $400 is highway robbery. ...

You get what you pay for. A few years back I attended the class on production at St. Louis. I loved every minute of it.

[Greg Gore]

Thanks for the info. When you consider the level of knowledge and experience the Judges have the tuition is reasonable I guess. I don't know where more accurate information could be found since they see and compare so many cars. It is getting more difficult out there for those wanting a car but not fully up to speed on what is correct and what is not. I recently learned aged authentic looking tank stickers are available now along with Protect-O-Plates and whatever else you need and current prices invite this stuff from the less than honest I guess. You really need the experience or knowledge more than ever now or a huge mistake is very possible.

[Mike Ward]

I don't think any one class or series of classes, irrespective of price or who is teaching them, will educate a person enough to be able to properly evaluate a vehicle for purchase.

The professional cloners have spent decades perfecting their art.......

[Greg Gore]

You are probably right about that. Practical experience is perhaps the best teacher. My last Corvette was loaded with mistakes but I sure learned how to recognize them as pertaining to that particular year after sorting that one out.