My old 1967 Lynndale L-79 Benchmark Corvette Roadster
 

I say, Looky Here,

My old 1967 Lynndale Blue L-79 Benchmark Corvette Roadster is up for auction at Mecum Indianapolis. I hope it breaks the Bank!

https://www.mecum.com/lots/SC0522-50...e-convertible/



Bill

Wasn't that also owned by Tom O'Grady from Houston, TX?

Just looked at the awards and Tom's name is on one. In 1999 when our Regional was in Waco we had 20 1967 Corvettes attend for Flight Judging, this was the only small block out of the 20. Also, Tom and I were the only two of the 20 67's to drive them that rainy weekend. I drove my yellow big block from Austin and Tom drove this beautiful car from Houston (in the rain).

Tim,

I certified it Bloomington Gold & Survivor in 1991, David Burroughs saw that 3 cars, Mine Tim McKeon's 1968, and Herm Roseman's 1965, were the only cars that did both the weekend they started Survivor and decided to trade mark the word Benchmark (like he did the year before with Survivor) as it pertained to Corvettes. In 1991 David invited all 3 cars to introduce "Benchmark" to the Corvette community.

I sold the car to Tom O'Grady out of the Woodlands Texas in September of 1999. Tom was the one who was going to take it through the NCRS and 5 Star bow tie it. I don't know if he ever did. Tom sold it to a guy In Zionsville Indiana about 2016? and Pro Team sold it in June of 2020. Neat car, they're only original once, and I was proud to put it through the paces to get it recognized and awarded. My Buddy and I are thinking of going on the Friday it goes off to see how it does in person. Was that Really 33 years ago? Memories.

Bill

That's a great story, Bill. Tom did Top Flight the car in 1999 and it was signed off for Bow Tie in all four catagories, but it was never presented for Bow Tie judging. A future owner of the car could run it through the Bow Tie system.

Tim,

How does the NCRS Bow Tie process work? A car gets signed off on in all 4 categories, and then has to be presented at the next National or Regional meet, and when it is Judged, they decide if is a 4 or 5 Star car? I have been an NCRS member since 1986 (#16447) but have never put a car through the Bow Tie certification system.

Bill

I've done this. While being judged at an NCRS Regional or National, The team leader for the appropriate year "signs off" on one or more Bowtie categories.

There is a time limit, I believe two years, to present the car at a National event for Bowtie judging only, no Flight judging. During the process, a team of several judges, four or five IIRC, will carefully scrutinize every aspect, probing all the dark corners, over a period of four or five hours. At some point Al Grenning will come by and verify the stamp. There may be an occasion question of you, but otherwise you will observe from a distance.

After all the Bowtie candidates are judged, the judges convene and discuss their finding for another couple or three hours. No judging sheets presented, you are not privy to any of the judges findings and find out at awards how many "Stars" your car is awarded. Four stars (all four categories determined to be minimum 85% undisturbed from factory production) gets Four Star Bowtie.

Tim, correct me if I am wrong on any of this. - Bill W

2018 NCRS Las Vegas National Convention.

Here is my ugly mug, being presented the Four Star Bowtie plaque by two former Corvette Chief Engineers, which I feel is pretty special since there have only ever been four Corvette chief engineers, and Zora is no longer with us!

Thanks Bill,

So if a car passes all 4 categories, then how does one get a "5 Star Bow Tie" then?

Bill

Neglected to mention, the car goes on a lift for the chassis category judging. While It is up the interior judges come by to look at the seat belt bolt threads for clues that the seat belts have ever been removed.

In the pic I posted, there is a gap between the center Stars. That is where the Fifth Star is placed, if you pursue it.

The process for the 5th star. Within two years of achieving the Bowtie, present the car for display at four NCRS events. Three of these can be a chapter event, but one must be a Regional. Then back to a National where the team leader (Nick C. in the case of a '67) will give it the once over to assure that nothing has been altered. Then your plaque is re-presented with the fifth star added.

Also, if at some point, there is restoration, modification, or repairs done that take the car below the 85% unmolested requisite, the Bowtie can be withdrawn.

Bill W