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In another post I read that only 20 L88 were built in 1967. If so, are they all accounted for along with their motors? I ask this question because of an interesting conversation I had last Friday.
I was in rural northern Wisconsin and stopped in an old car repair facility near my house. I have a propane whole house generator with a Mitsubishi engine that won't start. I stopped to ask him if he wanted to stop buy and see if he could start it.
The owner is a younger fellow who inherited the garage and out buildings from his father who had been there over 50 years.
Anyway, we got to talking about Corvettes and he mentioned his favorite year was 67. He then said his father left him the motor from a 67 L88 that was damaged in a race. He definitely said L88, because he also said there were only 20 of them made in 1967. He mentioned the race but I forgot where he said it happened.
Is this possible? Could there be an orphan L88 motor out there??? Just wondering
Yes, but many of us could tell quickly if it is an actual L88. Not all of the engines have been found, plenty of them missing. They also sold some crate 1967 engines, but not many, as the 1968 version came out very quickly. Just a few dealers ever got Crate 1967 engines, and many more got 1968 Crate engines.
He needs to shoot some pictures of the identification (pad stamp, block casting numbers, and to proof one of these, I would even take it apart (but that's my thing). And don't know how much of this engine he has?
PS don't jump on the first $50K offer, if it is real, I would hold out for more!
Last edited by TCracingCA; May 9, 2018 at 03:50 PM.
He took my name and address and said he would try to get to it if he remembers. He said to stop in the next time I get up there to remind him. That should be a week from next Friday. He seemed like an honest, bright kid, but this is northern Wisconsin where nothing is done in haste. He drives a '48 Ford pickup with an L79 motor.
GM sold a L88 over the counter engine well into the 70's. and for the most part non Corvette people only know of the RPO numbers you read in magazines or here on TV. so they automatically think its rare. just like every muncie four speed people think its a M22.
Go back to the shop and get a clear picture of the stamp pad. if its real he could be sitting on a small fortune. if its a over the counter engine with a IT suffix and no stamp its still a smaller fortune.
GM sold a L88 over the counter engine well into the 70's. and for the most part non Corvette people only know of the RPO numbers you read in magazines or here on TV. so they automatically think its rare. just like every muncie four speed people think its a M22.
Go back to the shop and get a clear picture of the stamp pad. if its real he could be sitting on a small fortune. if its a over the counter engine with a IT suffix and no stamp its still a smaller fortune.
I'll be back there in two weeks and report on my findings
Supposedly, there was a red 67 L88 coupe that was destroyed at Road America in 1967. Not many folks know the story.
This is the one he claims to have. The story goes that his father was there and bought the engine after the wreck. This is the story his family has had for years. The father passed on so now it is just the story. I stopped there today and he said that when he digs it out he will let me look at it. "When he digs it out" is the catch. I do not disbelieve him, I just know that digging it out isn't on the top of his list.
If he ever shows it to me, I will report back here.
I heard that out of the 20 built, a couple hundred had been accounted for so far.
Was thinking same thing. Amazing how 20 of 20 are accounted for-and these were race cars.
If the documentation from day 1 of each car is rock solid, I might believe it. Any gaps, the opportunity for fake/fraud exists.
If the fake is done well enough, it becomes authentic.
That said, I have no docs for my 67 L79, with matching number, and I tell people it has original motor.
Buy an aluminum ZL-1 from Chevy its brand new. Those wont be around forever either. All the power, light weight.
An AFR head will turn it into a real street terror. Those old heads and cams have 0 appeal.
I respect those who collect. They make my choice of cars relevant. However, as Zora told me at the 1986 Waterford Hills vintage race: "The factory (L-88 and Z06) Corvettes which we built are for RACING, anything else, they are wasted."
L88 question
