Topics include what Bloomington Gold Certification means, how authenticity is judged, why these awards matter to collectors, and behind‑the‑scenes footage from the Kissimmee event.
Bloomington Gold Corvette Judging
The Ultimate Corvette Road Tour
For more information, visit Coker Tire.
The C3 Corvette Restoration Myth
I get the emails and the DMs all the time. An aspiring owner finds a "deal" on a dusty and tired C3 sitting in a field or a back-row lot, and they start waxing poetic.
I hate to be the one to pop the bubble, but as someone who’s been tinkering with cars and motorcycles for several decades, I can tell you: words like "only a few thousand" have a funny way of growing exponentially when you’re elbow-deep in a 50-year-old Corvette.
Corvettes on Course, Tampa, FL
Why the 1980–1982 C3 is the Ultimate Entry Point
There is a legendary silhouette hiding in plain sight at every car show, often parked just a few rows down from the high-priced chrome bumpers of the late sixties.
It’s sleek, it’s aerodynamic, and it’s currently the best "buy-in" for anyone looking to enter the Corvette hobby without taking out a second mortgage.
We’re talking about the 1980 to 1982 Corvettes.
While the "purists" are busy fighting over matching numbers on big-block engines they’re too terrified to actually start, a new generation of enthusiasts—mostly Gen Xers and savvy Millennials—is quietly snapping up these late-model C3s.
Why?
Because they’ve realized something the general public hasn't: these are some of the best-looking, most drivable Corvettes ever bolted together.
C3 Corvetes Under $20,000
This video focuses on C3 Corvettes that sold for under $20,000 during the event. All footage was recorded while the cars were on display, giving viewers a clear look at each vehicle before bidding began.
These examples represent the more affordable end of the C3 market, and they offer a useful snapshot of what buyers were actually paying at a major auction.
Each Corvette is shown in the order it appears in the video, along with its selling price and lot number.
For anyone researching late‑C3 values, comparing condition versus price, or following current trends in the Corvette market, this group provides a straightforward reference point based on real auction results.
C3 Corvettes of Mecum Kissimmee 2026
Spring Daytona Turkey Run 2026
Stingrays at Stingray Chevrolet
The show also mixed in a variety of other Chevrolets to keep things interesting, including a stunning 1959 Impala, a rare 1963 Split‑Window Corvette, several C1s and C2s, and plenty of other cars that made the event a great experience for Chevy fans of all generations.
A Little Ditty 'bout Jack & Diane...
The 2025 Corvettes Coast to Coast show in Bunnell, Florida, brought together a wide mix of Corvette enthusiasts, hosted by the Flagler County Corvette Club.
I filmed eight C3s at the event, each with its own story. Among them was a striking Daytona Yellow 1970 454 coupe recently purchased at Mecum Kissimmee, along with a familiar car from the 2024 Spring Daytona Turkey Run: the “Jack and Diane” Corvette, said to have once belonged to John Cougar Mellencamp.
This C3 has become part fact and part folklore, rumored to have appeared in the “Jack & Diane” music video and to have been owned by Mellencamp.
The only claimed proof is a fax—very fitting for the 1980s—but where it came from remains unclear.
Whether the story is fully accurate or not, it remains a fun piece of Corvette lore and is worth taking a closer look at.
NCRS Judging Explained. Includes New Classes.
The update allows any Corvette to be judged, and those that meet the requirements now have a path to earning an NCRS award.
Richard Small, Florida’s NCRS Chapter Judging Chairman and President, walks through how the judging system works and talks openly about the changes the organization is making to stay healthy and relevant.
If you’ve been curious about NCRS judging but weren’t sure where to begin, this conversation lays it out in a straightforward, accessible way.
For more C3 stories, restorations, and event coverage, visit The C3 Corvette Channel on YouTube — home to hundreds of videos dedicated to the 1968–1982 Corvette generation.
49 C3 Corvettes FOR SALE at the Daytona Turkey Run
You’ll see everything from untouched survivors to custom builds, project cars, and beautifully preserved originals. A few owners even shared their stories on camera, adding a personal touch to the experience.
The full 55‑minute feature brings you right into the event’s rhythm — chilly mornings, warm Florida afternoons, and a field full of C3 Corvettes that each had something unique to offer.
For more C3 stories, restorations, and event coverage, visit The C3 Corvette Channel on YouTube — home to hundreds of videos dedicated to the 1968–1982 Corvette generation.
How to Buy or Sell a Vehicle at Mecum Auctions
If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to buy or sell a car, truck, motorcycle, or piece of road art through Mecum Auctions, this feature breaks it all down in a clear, approachable way.
Automotive journalist Matt Avery offers an insider’s perspective from Mecum Kissimmee 2026, the world’s largest collector car auction. His experience on the ground provides a rare look at the massive operation behind the scenes—how thousands of vehicles are moved, staged, documented, and presented over two packed weeks.
Beyond the logistics, Matt shares the stories, personalities, and traditions that make Mecum such a unique part of the collector‑car world.
Whether you’re preparing to consign a vehicle, considering registering as a bidder, or simply curious about how an event of this scale comes together, this conversation offers a friendly, educational, documentary‑style walkthrough of the entire process.
Enthusiasts of all kinds—Corvette fans, Mecum regulars, and newcomers alike—will find something valuable in this deep dive into how Mecum works and where the car hobby is headed.
For more C3 stories, restorations, and event coverage, visit The C3 Corvette Channel on YouTube — home to hundreds of videos dedicated to the 1968–1982 Corvette generation.
NCRS Winter Regional 2026
Corvette Day at Mecum Kissimmee 2026
Ocala's Corvette Show 2025
Mecum Kissimmee 2026
Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34744.For complete details, please visit 👉🏻 Mecum Kissimmee 2026
Book Review: A Boy and His Corvette by Daniel Hall
At its core, the story revolves around Tommy, a boy struggling to find his place at a new school.
His vintage band t‑shirts and suspenders make him the target of whispers and giggles, leaving him isolated and desperate for belonging.
Everything changes when he discovers a secret in his father’s garage: Mr. Dart, a shiny yellow Corvette that can talk.
















.jpg)

