A decade of relentless Corvette racing development that began in 1956 ultimately led to a historic pinnacle with the awe-inspiring L88 option introduced in 1967. Based on an aluminum-head 427 CI big-block V-8 with 12.5:1 compression, a racing-spec solid lifter cam and a single Holley 850 CFM 4-barrel carburetor on an aluminum intake manifold, the L88 engine was the centerpiece of a comprehensive racing- purposed package that included the heavy duty Muncie M22 “Rock Crusher” 4-speed manual transmission, G81 Positraction, K66 transistorized ignition, F41 Special Suspension, J50/ J56 heavy duty power disc brakes, an unshrouded aluminum radiator and radio delete. The 1967 L88 Corvette proved so formidable in competition that sales quadrupled in 1968 from 20 to 80 cars, growing even more for 1969. Still, that number accounted for just 116 of the 38,762 Corvettes built in that final year of L88 production, and examples such as the matching-numbers 1969 T-top coupe offered here have taken their rightful place among the rarest and most coveted of any Corvette in the marque’s 70-year history. After a 9-week delay due to the UAW strike in 1969, this L88 coupe was produced on June 17, 1969, and delivered new by Harriss-Conners Chevrolet in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (Dealer Code 335 in Zone 16 per the official NCRS/ GM Shipping Data Records). Finished in Fathom Green with a Saddle Tan vinyl interior, it was additionally equipped with the open-chamber cylinder heads introduced in 1969, 4.11:1 final drive, factory side exhaust, Soft Ray tinted glass, headrests and shoulder harnesses, and F70x15-inch wide-tread redline tires on Rally wheels. An extensive body-off restoration has returned the car to outstanding overall condition with most all factory-correct- type components, including the spare, jack, jack tools, F41 shocks, seat belts, washer system, smog system, shifter, plug wires, air cleaner, hoses, hose clamps, valve covers, No. 4296 carburetor, expansion tank, radiator, gas door assembly and T3 headlights. Offered with an odometer reading of 34,498 actual miles, this superb example of Corvette Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov’s “Ultimate Weapon” comes with extensive documentation that includes the 1997 L88 Registry, owner history, copies of old titles, correspondence, the owner’s manual, sales brochure and maintenance receipts.
