L-88
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 24,592
Likes: 44
From: The Rock Arkansas
Elite Member
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: L-88 (67HEAVEN)
Actually the L-89 is a L-71 with aluminum heads. Completely different from the L-88.
To learn more about the L-89, just check out the L-71 specs and add aluminum heads.
Both the L-88 and L-89 had aluminum heads. The L-71 did not.
To learn more about the L-89, just check out the L-71 specs and add aluminum heads.
Both the L-88 and L-89 had aluminum heads. The L-71 did not.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 502
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
Re: L-88 (SBR)
I haven't been to Bloomington since 1989. I took the L88 in 88 and the L89 in 89. I trailered in 88 and shipped the car and flew in 99. It's a long drive from Ga. and with the event moving closer to Chicago, I guess longer now. Is there anything special going on for L88's next year?
Incidentally, I saw on the NCRS website that only 798 Corvettes have received the NCRS Performance Verification award® as of 2001. I wonder how many L88's have received it. Mine got it in 89, as well as 2 Top Flights on it's way to trying for the Duntov, which I never did. That might be a good challenge if I get my car showin' urge going again.
Incidentally, I saw on the NCRS website that only 798 Corvettes have received the NCRS Performance Verification award® as of 2001. I wonder how many L88's have received it. Mine got it in 89, as well as 2 Top Flights on it's way to trying for the Duntov, which I never did. That might be a good challenge if I get my car showin' urge going again.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 7
From: Orlando Florida
Re: L-88 (Solidlifters)
All I can say is your one lucky son of a gun!!! Those two cars represent the ultimate corvettes to me. The ZL-1 in on display at Roger's, and sometimes I go by there just to get another look :cool: I think the L-89 is the best because of the additional options available at that time. Were there any air auto L89's? How about a 69 vert, L88, T-400. That would be nice. Your living my dream owning those cars, thanks for sharing the experiences with them.
Joe
p.s. Do you ever go out late at night and drop the hammer? :chevy
Joe
p.s. Do you ever go out late at night and drop the hammer? :chevy
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 502
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
Re: L-88 (tiresmokin75-427)
"Were there any air auto L89's? How about a 69 vert, L88, T-400."
There were auto/L89's but no air. As far as I know, the only solid lifter Chevy with air was the 365/327 & the 72 ONLY LT1 Corvettes. There were some late 69 L88's with turbo 400's and there were L88 convertibles, but I don't know if there were any L88/auto/convertibles.
I don't know whether it's so much luck or just pack rattin'. There was a time when nobody wanted the old big block cars and they were super cheap. It was just a matter of buying them by people who loved cars. I don't think any of my cars back then were bought thinking they'd be great investments, it was mostly just finding stuff I wanted in the 60's and couldn't have. I paid $750. for my LS6 Chevelle in 1981 and got the original engine shortly after that for $300. more. The L88 was a local car that'd been rode hard and put up wet (although remarkably never busted). The big mistake was the local ZL1 Camaro I passed on for $3500 in mid 80's. I still have nighmares about that one. Those were the days...................
There were auto/L89's but no air. As far as I know, the only solid lifter Chevy with air was the 365/327 & the 72 ONLY LT1 Corvettes. There were some late 69 L88's with turbo 400's and there were L88 convertibles, but I don't know if there were any L88/auto/convertibles.
I don't know whether it's so much luck or just pack rattin'. There was a time when nobody wanted the old big block cars and they were super cheap. It was just a matter of buying them by people who loved cars. I don't think any of my cars back then were bought thinking they'd be great investments, it was mostly just finding stuff I wanted in the 60's and couldn't have. I paid $750. for my LS6 Chevelle in 1981 and got the original engine shortly after that for $300. more. The L88 was a local car that'd been rode hard and put up wet (although remarkably never busted). The big mistake was the local ZL1 Camaro I passed on for $3500 in mid 80's. I still have nighmares about that one. Those were the days...................
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 7
From: Orlando Florida
Re: L-88 (Solidlifters)
:cheers: I will keep buying lotto tickets, I think thats why I've tried to turn my 75 into a L-88/L89 :crazy: Oh yea now Im having nightmares :eek: A69ZL-1 for 3500!!!. Well at least you got to se it on the street. I have never seen an aluminum block Camero on the street,except at the World Street Nationals :lol:
Take Care,
Joe
Take Care,
Joe
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 10,073
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
Re: L-88 (Solidlifters)
[QUOTEI don't know if there were any L88/auto/convertibles.[/QUOTE]
There was a red/red auto '69 vert on ebay for a while earlier this year. Did not sell on a high bid of *I think* 89,000.
There was a red/red auto '69 vert on ebay for a while earlier this year. Did not sell on a high bid of *I think* 89,000.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 502
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
Re: L-88 (tiresmokin75-427)
Joe, this car was a local 15 year old's birthday present when new. It was subsequently drag raced, street raced, dogged, and changed to a small block. (alum engine sold to a boat drag racer) When it was sold it was just a rolling body with tons of paperwork and the phone number for the original motor. It is done now and in the Milton Robson collection in N. Georgia which is frequently featured on one or two of the muscle car TV shows.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Re: L-88 (Solidlifters)
Some of those finds are still available, though not as cheap. Found my 70 LT-1 tucked away for 24 years. Not the original block and heads and missing a few key parts, but well documented. The find was an accident. Now I look whenever someone mentions a 60 or early 70s model left and forgotten.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 4,143
Likes: 0
Re: L-88 (67HEAVEN)
Actually the L-89 is a L-71 with aluminum heads. Completely different from the L-88.
To learn more about the L-89, just check out the L-71 specs and add aluminum heads.
Both the L-88 and L-89 had aluminum heads. The L-71 did not.
[Modified by 67HEAVEN, 9:42 PM 9/19/2002]
To learn more about the L-89, just check out the L-71 specs and add aluminum heads.
Both the L-88 and L-89 had aluminum heads. The L-71 did not.
[Modified by 67HEAVEN, 9:42 PM 9/19/2002]
Nowdays it's a question of computer programming. :crazy:
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 8
From: Scottsdale AZ
Re: L-88 (Solidlifters)
There were auto/L89's but no air. As far as I know, the only solid lifter Chevy with air was the 365/327 & the 72 ONLY LT1 Corvettes. There were some late 69 L88's with turbo 400's and there were L88 convertibles, but I don't know if there were any L88/auto/convertibles.
There were 17 Automatic (M40) L88s built in 1969. I was showing mine (an L88/M40 coupe) at an NCRS show not too long ago and got to talking to one of the judges about the L88/M40 cars. He had some documentation from an owner survey that showed 5 of the 17 were convertibles. Of the 17 total L88/M40 cars made, I believe 14 of them are still around (14 were on this list anyway).
[Modified by jonstr, 4:29 PM 9/20/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 7
From: Orlando Florida
Re: L-88 (Solidlifters)
Man! Can you imagine your mom or dad coming to you on your 15th birthday and handling you the keys to a 69 ZL-1. He is probably kicking himself today.
Superfast, Robert, Verskel and Jonstr, thanks for the info. I find these C3's so facinating. I always get stopped in my tracks, when I here L88,L79, L89. I wonder if any magazines went out and tested the most powerful street cars against each other the way Car and Driver or Autoweek does today? Wait let me be more specifac. How about an all out performance test between the 68 or 69 L88 vs. the L-89 or even better let's throw in a Baldwin Motion Corvette (68-69) and perhaps a Berger Chevrolet Corvette. I wonder what the fastest production corvette (excluding the ZL-1) you could buy in 68-69? Im sure it was the L88. See what you guys started!!! Now Im searching through all my old Vette mags, and looking on line to find out. I don't find many performace numbers on the Baldwins. I guess that was a closely gaurded secret. Well all I can say is I hope some of guys still drive your L88's. Im sure it effects the value, when you do, but Im sure its an awesome feeling driveing one of Zora's finest.
Joe
:D
Superfast, Robert, Verskel and Jonstr, thanks for the info. I find these C3's so facinating. I always get stopped in my tracks, when I here L88,L79, L89. I wonder if any magazines went out and tested the most powerful street cars against each other the way Car and Driver or Autoweek does today? Wait let me be more specifac. How about an all out performance test between the 68 or 69 L88 vs. the L-89 or even better let's throw in a Baldwin Motion Corvette (68-69) and perhaps a Berger Chevrolet Corvette. I wonder what the fastest production corvette (excluding the ZL-1) you could buy in 68-69? Im sure it was the L88. See what you guys started!!! Now Im searching through all my old Vette mags, and looking on line to find out. I don't find many performace numbers on the Baldwins. I guess that was a closely gaurded secret. Well all I can say is I hope some of guys still drive your L88's. Im sure it effects the value, when you do, but Im sure its an awesome feeling driveing one of Zora's finest.
Joe
:D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,245
Likes: 4
Re: L-88 (67HEAVEN)
Yeah, things were kinda tame in the late 60s. :D
What would you like?.......5.13:1 gears?...........L-88?.......Phase III-427?.....Three-bbl Holley Daytona?.........a 427 in your Chevy II, Sir?
:lol: :lol: :lol:
What would you like?.......5.13:1 gears?...........L-88?.......Phase III-427?.....Three-bbl Holley Daytona?.........a 427 in your Chevy II, Sir?
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 763
From: Barrington IL
Re: L-88 (Robert N)
Solidlifters, as far as I know there is nothing specifically planned for the L88s at Bloomington :cry . I just love seeing as many of them as possible and I am hoping to get the triple crown with my 69 next year starting with Bloomington.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 8
From: Scottsdale AZ
Re: L-88 (SBR)
Solidlifters, as far as I know there is nothing specifically planned for the L88s at Bloomington :cry . I just love seeing as many of them as possible and I am hoping to get the triple crown with my 69 next year starting with Bloomington.
[Modified by jonstr, 7:29 PM 9/20/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Re: L-88 (tiresmokin75-427)
Man! Can you imagine your mom or dad coming to you on your 15th birthday and handling you the keys to a 69 ZL-1. He is probably kicking himself today.