A blinding performer, the Corvette was particularly fierce with the 427 CI RPO L71 solid-lifter Tri-Power engine packing 435 HP. Just as the L88 was a little-known option that most buyers were actively discouraged from ordering by Chevrolet, RPO L89 was even less well-known. Substituting exotic high-flow, lightweight aluminum cylinder heads for the standard cast-iron units of the basic L71, RPO L89 added $368 to the $437 cost of the L71 engine. Delivering explosive performance, the L71/L89 combination retained the 435 HP power rating of the L71, which featured a tough 4-bolt main cylinder block, forged crank, solid-lifter valvetrain, high-performance cam, 11:1 compression and triple Holley 2-barrel carbs atop an aluminum intake manifold. Thanks to larger exhaust valves, L89 power output slightly exceeded that of its L71 base engine. Period L89 road tests quoted 0-60 MPH acceleration in 4.7 seconds and quarter-mile times of 13.6 seconds at 105 MPH en route to typical top-end speeds of some 140 MPH, all with traction-limited bias-ply tires. However, raw horsepower did not define the true purpose of RPO L89. Most importantly, the aluminum heads shaved some 75 pounds of weight from the Corvette’s front end, restoring weight distribution and balance to levels enjoyed by small-block 327 Corvettes and creating one of the fastest and best-handling road cars of the era. A total of 28,566 Corvettes were produced for 1968, of which 2,898 were equipped with the hot RPO L71 427/435 engine. Just 624 combined the L89 and L71 RPOs that year. Unrestored with 13,280 original miles, this extremely rare L71/ L89 Corvette from 1968 remained in the original owner’s care from new until November 2024. Bloomington Gold, Survivor and Benchmark Certified in 2016, it was also featured in the 2018 Bloomington Gold Special Collection. Retaining its original Corvette Bronze paint and Dark Orange leather interior, this Corvette is powered by a matching-numbers, IU-suffix 427/435 HP V-8 engine with aluminum cylinder heads and triple Holley 2-barrel carburetors, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission and stopped by 4-wheel power disc brakes. Other choice features and options include power windows, a factory Delco AM/FM radio, T-tops, full-size wheel covers and white-stripe tires. Documents include the original invoice and bill of sale, a window sticker, Protect-O-Plate, owner’s manual and a Chevrolet welcome letter.
