Recently restored and fully documented, this 1968 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible won the National Corvette Restorers Society’s coveted Top Flight Award at the Zip Corvette- sponsored NCRS Mid Atlantic Chapter meet held in Richmond, Virginia, in September 2021. Sold new at Konners Chevrolet in Columbus, Ohio, this is one of 624 Corvettes, and just 224 convertibles, produced with the rare L89 aluminum cylinder heads, which had entered production the previous year and were available on only one regular production engine: the mighty L71 Tri-Power 427/435 HP big-block V-8. Originally developed for racing, the L89 heads first saw use in the prototype L88 racers clandestinely built by Chevrolet Engineering for the 1966 season. Their benefits to the already extremely powerful L71 were twofold, shaving a full 75 pounds off the Corvette’s front end and providing increased volumetric efficiency with larger ports and valves and specially designed combustion chambers. On the street, they gave the big-block Corvette even more of an edge over whatever faint opposition existed, and they’re now highly sought-after by collectors. This L89’s identification numbers, crucial to authenticating such an important feature, is well established, beginning with the block casting number (3916321, denoting big-block) and casting date (J 10 7, for October 10, 1967). The engine stamp, T1102IU, is particularly important: the first half, T1102IU, indicates it was built at the Tonawanda Engine Plant on November 2, 1967 as an L71 assembly with aluminum heads. The second segment matches the car’s VIN, firmly establishing its originality and authenticity. Additionally documented with the tank sticker, Protect-O- Plate, NCRS Shipping Data Report and a trim tag production date of November 13, 1967, this L89 convertible is finished in Safari Yellow with a black interior and matching black auxiliary hard top. A Muncie close-ratio M21 4-speed, G81 4.11:1 Positraction rear end, F41 suspension, J50 power disc brakes and rare, correct P01 wheel covers over redline Polyglas tires complete the technical fare, with optional head restraints, a tinted windshield and an AM/FM radio rounding out the interior appointments. This rare Top Flight L89 Tri-Power convertible also includes a key bag, radio card and dealer seat belt disclaimer.