It was a daunting challenge: Assemble the most factory production horsepower in one place at one time with the fewest number of vehicles--ever.

For Bloomington Gold CEO David Burroughs, it was just another world-class standard to which America's longest-running Corvette show could aspire.
 
His vision gave rise to a full-scale assault force--58 L88 Corvettes strong--that descended on Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois for the 2008 Bloomington Gold Corvettes USA show. The "L88 Invasion," the moniker by which this year's Special Collection will forever be celebrated, bristled with more than 32,000 combined horsepower--an inspiring public tribute to Chevrolet's virtually secret offering.
 
"Twenty years ago we gathered the first L88 collection--almost 40 cars--and dubbed it 'Earthquake 88,'" recalls Burroughs. "In fact, it's typically the first thing people remember when asked about all 35 years of Bloomington Gold. We tried again in 1998 and ended-up with a few less vehicles. But this year, Bill Locke, director of the Special Collection since 1991, set out to achieve the largest gathering of L88s in history and thus, mission accomplished! It's highly unlikely this mark will ever be eclipsed."
 
Bloomington Gold attendees were treated to another once-in-a-lifetime spectacle when Dick Keinath--chief engineer for legendary "Father of the Corvette" and L88 catalyst Zora Arkus-Duntov--climbed into the #9 Sunray DX Oil Company car to ride with Dick Guldstrand, the iconic racer who helped pilot the same #9 L88 at Le Mans in 1967.
 
"To see the man who made the L88 Corvette riding with the man who made it famous...incredible!" Burroughs exclaimed.  "'Awesome' is an over-used word.  It should be reserved for occasions like this."
 
Also assembled in St. Charles were the #3 Sunray DX Oil Company L88 and the #89 L88 that captured second place in the GT class in the 1970 Daytona 24 Hour race, for a total of 12 of the original 20 L88s produced in 1967.
 
On Saturday, the L88s were removed from their display, lined-up abreast, and toured through Pheasant Run Resort for onlookers to behold.
 
"An absolutely incredible display of sight and sound," said Burroughs. "By the time they shut down, the unmistakable racket gave way to clouds of coolant hissing from the L88 engines and ticking headers. It was the personal highlight of my Corvette career!"
 
Including a ZR1 on display in the Chevrolet tent (which attendees were permitted to sit in!), the SURVIVOR Collector Car Show and an array of other engaging activities--from seminars and swap meets to road tours and GoldCertified judging--the gathering in St. Charles reaffirmed Bloomington Gold as the consummate destination for astute Corvette aficionados.
 
"How to raise the bar next year?" asked Burroughs. "You'll just have to come see for yourself!"