Rare C3 Corvette L88 Convertible Is a Proper Time Piece

Incredibly rare with just $6k miles on the clock, this L88 is something special.

Stellar Example

In the world of Corvettes, L88 is a truly special combination of letters and numbers that signals a super rare, incredibly capable, track-focused version of America’s sports car. This particular 1969 Corvette L88 is all of those things and more, and it recently crossed the block at Mecum’s Indy auction to much fanfare, though it failed to sell with a high bid of $700k.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

Notable Ownership History

For starters, this gem of a find has just 6,457 miles on the clock, which is pretty amazing. It was previously a part of the Ed Foss Low-Mileage Corvette Collection and was formerly owned by noted collector and Corvettes at Carlisle co-founder, Chip Miller, who kept it in his collection for 24 years.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

Rare Bird

Of the 216 L88 Corvettes built between 1967 and 1969, 116 were produced for the 1969 model year. This particular example accumulated almost all of its mileage in the original owner’s first year of ownership before it was added to the aforementioned collections and stored away for decades.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

Like New

The C3 L88 has since received very little refurbishment to keep it looking perfect, and as such, still looks brand new. To this date, the Can-Am white exterior and black interior look like they just left the factory, and the car comes with a host of goodies including the original tank sticker, window sticker, Protect-O-Plate, and bill of sale, the original keys with punch-outs and the owner’s manual.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

Go Fast Goodies

Of course, most of the L88’s magic lies under the hood, where you’ll find GM’s 427 cubic-inch V8 that’s been treated to a host of go-fast goodies including a forged steel crank and rods, forged aluminum pistons, 12.8:1 compression, free-breathing aluminum heads, a high-lift cam, a single Holley 850 CFM 4-barrel carburetor, a dual-plane aluminum intake manifold, and a transistorized ignition.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

Special Components

Humorously underrated at 430 horsepower (it made more like 560 hp), the L88’s big-block powerplant is mated to a Muncie M22 close-ratio 4-speed, with J56 special heavy-duty brakes, the F41 Special Suspension, and G81 Positraction rear end with 3.73 gears helping to put it all to the ground and slow it down in a hurry.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

Award Winner

As one imagines, this very special Corvette L88 has racked up its fair share of awards over the years, including earning a spot as a Bloomington Gold Hall of Fame inductee as it participated in three Bloomington Gold L88 Special Collections. Additionally, it collected an NCRS Regional Top Flight Award in 2005 with a score of 97.2, and in 2012 was named Chip’s Choice No. 306 at Corvettes at Carlisle.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

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