1968 Corvette L88 Convertible - Bloomington Gold Certified
Bloomington Gold Certified, Well Documented
From: Mecum Auto Auctions - Monterey 2013 - August 15-17, 2013, Lot S158
Sold Price: $800,000
For three years from 1967 to 1969, the most powerful Chevrolet Corvette Regular Production Option available was the L88, a compendium of competition-oriented pieces headlined by the 427 CI aluminum-head V-8 engine packing forged steel crank and rods, forged aluminum 12.8:1 compression, a radical high lift cam actuating large valves and a single Holley 850 CFM 4-barrel carburetor on a dual plane aluminum intake manifold. The L88 leapt out of the gate with outstanding performances at Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans, where it set an all-time production class speed record. In a bold misdirection meant to discourage interest in the fire-breathing L88, Chevrolet rated the engine at 430 HP, five fewer than the Tri-Power equipped L71 at over twice the cost, in order to keep it out of the hands of the general public. In reality, the L88 generated well over 500 horses when properly tuned and fed a diet of high-octane fuel. Still in possession of its original factory installed engine, this 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 is one of only a handful of Tuxedo Black L88 convertibles known to exist out of the total production years of 1967, '68 and '69, fewer than half of which were convertibles. Its no-hit body was restored by well-known Nabers Motors in Houston, Texas. After its frame-off, nut-and-bolt restoration was performed, this 16,000 mile L88 received the high honor of being Bloomington Gold certified and invited to many Bloomington Gold Special Collections. It is finished as-original in Tuxedo Black, still retains its original black leather seats with most of its original interior and sports Rally wheels and an auxiliary hardtop. Other options on the NCRS authenticated original documents are K66 transistorized ignition, 3.70 Positraction rear axle, M22 4-speed manual transmission, White soft top, Soft Ray tinted glass, F41 suspension, J56 power brakes and N11 off-road exhaust. The car's extensive documentation includes the original order sheet, dealer invoice, Protect-O-Plate, and several registrations including the 1968 title application.
Highlights:
- 1 of 80 built with less than half as convertibles
- No hit body restored by the Naber Brothers of Houston
- After its frame-off nut and bolt restoration was performed this 16,000 miles L88 received the honor of being Bloomington Gold Certified and invited to many Bloomington Gold Special Collections
- Retains it's born with original motor
- The only Black L88 Convertible from all three years of production with its OEM original engine known to exist
- Al Grenning of CCAS has certified the engine to be original to the car
- Finished as-original in Tuxedo Black and still retains its original Black leather seats and mostly original interior
- Documented with the Protect-O-Plate, original order sheet, dealer invoice and title application
- Other options on the NCRS Authenticated original documents are full transistorized ignition, 3.70 Positraction, M22 4-speed transmission, White soft top, tinted glass, F41 suspension, J56 heavy duty brakes and N11 off-road exhaust
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