To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Arizona event, 24 January 2025.

• One of only 20 L88 Convertibles produced for the model year; Zora Arkus-Duntov’s most famous Corvette “homologation special”
• Delivered new to Harte Chevrolet in Meriden, Connecticut
• Complete ownership history from new; listed in both L88 Registries
• Finished in original color combination of British Green and Saddle interior
• Powered by a replacement 427-cu.-in. engine fitted with closed-chamber aluminum heads and an open-plenum aluminum intake manifold
• Retains its original date-coded and VIN-matched M22 four-speed transmission
• Correctly presented with model-specific features including J56 brakes, F41 suspension, radio delete, and a K66 transistor ignition system
• Owned, documented, and researched by numerous Corvette marque authorities
• 2022 NCRS Second Flight Award winner

The L88 was the wildest C3-generation Corvette one could walk into a showroom and buy from 1967 to 1969. Sold with a power rating of only 430 horsepower, this racecar for the road was estimated to produce 550 horsepower and required a minimum 103 high-octane fuel. Produced in extremely limited numbers, the L88 remains among the most highly regarded and coveted variations of America’s sports car.

A battle-tested homologation experiment developed for use in Can-Am, FIA, and NASCAR competitions, the L88 option package was a comprehensive suite of racing equipment, anchored by a special 427-cubic-inch big-block V-8 with forged internals, and Can-Am-spec aluminum cylinder heads. Those brave enough to order an L88 also received power-assisted J56 heavy-duty brakes, an F41 heavy-duty suspension, a G81 heavy-duty Positraction differential, and a special cowl-induction hood.

The Denny Davis-designed L88 engine features forged steel internals and a reinforced cast iron block with 12.5:1 compression. Aluminum cylinder heads house enlarged intake and exhaust valves, hardened pushrods, special stamped rocker arms captured on heat-treated ball studs, and heavy-duty valve springs with extra-strength retainers. The L88’s signature lumpy idle is deafening—several publications noted that this model’s camshafts are the most radical ever placed into a Chevrolet production engine.

One of only 20 documented L88 Convertibles produced for 1968, this Corvette was assembled on 12 February 1968 and originally finished in British Green (983) over Saddle Tan (420) upholstery. It was delivered to Harte Chevrolet of Meriden, Connecticut, and sold new to James Baker of Yonkers, New York. Eighteen months later, Baker sold the car (via Harte) to Edward Weathers, who registered it in Connecticut at his business address just 500 feet from the originating dealer.

Weathers held onto this L88 Convertible until May 1972, at which point he sold it to his neighborhood friend David Marks. During Marks’ brief ownership, the car’s original engine expired. In March 1973, Marks sold the now “un-L88” powered Corvette to his coworker Leonard Fazzino, who nonetheless greatly enjoyed the car. At some point prior to his August 1987 sale of the car to William Giarelli, Fazzino repainted the L88 in maroon and re-dyed the original interior black.

Giarelli’s subsequent June 1988 classified listing for his “1968 Corvette Convertible with transistorized ignition, J56 brakes, and an M22 transmission” quickly attracted the attention of noted Connecticut-based Corvette experts Sal Carbone, Steve Quebecca, and Ray Zisa (of Corvette Center fame). Finding a used car exhibiting many needs but also many pieces of its evident and extremely rare factory L88 configuration, the trio shrewdly brokered its sale to collector Glen Kalil (Exotic Cars International) of Stuart, Florida.

During Kalil’s ownership, in 1990 this L88 was submitted to a complete restoration and color change to LeMans Blue over Bright Blue vinyl upholstery. After passing on to a subsequent Floridian owner in 1996, the car was thoroughly inspected by L88 guru Dave Walters: his lengthy notes (on file) illustrate numerous incorrect-for-L88 details requiring remedy. To this end, Walters completed over $7,000 of corrective work and “concours prep” in time for its debut at that year’s Bloomington Gold show.

Shortly thereafter, Gary Hall purchased the car from Dana Mecum and returned it to the original color combination of British Green over Saddle Tan upholstery. More recently, this L88 was greatly prized by the noted Corvette collector Jim Mangione for fifteen years; the consignor acquired this car hence from the Mangione family.

Under current ownership, this incredible Corvette was judged at the NCRS Northwest 2022 Regional Meet and awarded Second Flight status. From October 2023 to March 2024 the L88 was on display at LeMay—America’s Car Museum as part of its “Corvette Creativity—An Automotive Canvas” exhibit. Additionally, the consignor notes that the car has been listed for many years in both Drew Papsun’s L88 Registry and Jonathan Herrick’s L88 Registry.

Having lost its original L88 engine years ago, today this Corvette is powered by a correctly detailed 427-cubic-inch engine block (casting code: 3916321) for the 1968 model year (L107—cast 10 December 1967). This restoration engine has been restamped to match. It is equipped with closed-chamber aluminum heads and an open-plenum aluminum intake manifold. The engine is backed by its original date-coded and VIN-matched M22 four-speed transmission. Some other notable details include the car’s J56 brakes, K66 transistor ignition system, and a heavy-duty 3.31 positraction rear axle.

Widely acclaimed as Zora Arkus-Duntov’s most sought-after homologation special Corvette, this well-documented, and beautifully restored L88 Convertible is an incredible opportunity to own one of the most significant American sports cars.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/az25/.