L88 Corvettes 1967,1968,1969
So What is an L88 Corvette?
Read this whole L88 Corvette site for all the info!
The L-88 option package for the Corvette was the result of years of developmental work which resulted in a factory racing option package that could be ordered from Chevrolet in a brand new Corvette. The L-88 option was only available for three brief model years from 1967 through 1969. The L-88 Corvette was so potent, that it could not only allow the new owner or driver to win a race in local competition, but it also could propel a properly prepared Corvette to stunning finishing positions in world class International races, such as the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Daytona. These racing victories with the L-88 option package, made the Corvette an overnight hit. The L-88 nomenclature became synonymous with Corvettes and with champions. Although only 216 L-88 Corvettes rolled off the St. Louis Corvette Plant assembly line during these three model years, the L-88 created an image of power and prestige that would live on with the Corvette for decades. Most of the race prepared L-88 Corvettes that competed on tracks in the United States and Europe are featured in my text book, and so are the predecessors that led up to the creation of the L-88 factory racing option. These are the Corvettes that started the legend. These are the Corvettes that shaped a generation of Corvettes and Corvette enthusiasts, and they are the Corvettes that shaped the future generations of Corvettes.
So what exactly is an L88 Corvette? It’s a special order ultra high performance Corvette that was equipped with the 427 cubic inch L88 full competition engine and its trademark L88 hood, a heavy duty M22 four speed transmission, J56 heavy duty disc brake calipers, J50 power brakes, F41 heavy duty suspension, K66 transistor ignition, and C48 heater delete (1967). These were all mandatory options that the buyer had to select in order to receive the L88 engine. It was an option package.
Additional options were available such as power windows, leather seats, bolt on hardtop, tinted glass, speed minder, side pipes, engine block heater, rear window defogger, head rests, tilt-telescopic steering column, and for late 1969, a heavy duty dual disc clutch, and a heavy duty turbohydramatic 400 automatic transmission. Comfort options such as a radio, air conditioning, and power steering were not available with the L88 engine option package.
Total Production of L88 Corvettes
1967: 20
1968: 80
1969: 116
Zora Arkus-Duntov was in charge of the L-88 Corvette. It was intended for racing purposes, but only a few of the 216 L-88s produced actually raced on road racing courses or drag strips. These cars required super high octane gasoline rated at 103 octane to feed the 12.5:1 compression ratio pistons inside the special high performance 427 engine block. Only select gas stations had this type of fuel for their customers. Certain regions of some states never had gasoline with such a high octane. The L88 Corvette could only be fueled in certain parts of the country.
Think about this for a moment, for this can never happen in today’s society:
The ability of a customer to walk into a Chevrolet dealership, select the correct options to purchase a full race L-88 Corvette, that can win victories not only in local competition, but can also win in International races against factory teams. That is exactly what Duntov intended for the Corvette. That is what the L88 was all about, and that is why the Corvette is the world class high performance sports car that it is today.
My L88 Corvette Book is available today. Here are a few sample photos:
This book contains over 400 pages and it is filled with over 500 vintage photos that were taken back in the day.
The majority of these photographs were never printed prior to the creation of my book. This is the only book where you will find these rare photos.
Besides that, these photographs document the history of the Corvette, the origins of the Z06, the origins of the Grand Sport, and of course the L88.
This book contains all of the Corvette DNA that has led to the creation and availability of today’s ultra high performance Corvettes.
Get your copy today!
Click here for ordering info!
Corvette Legends
Corvette Racing Legends