Have a 1988 Vette with a Challenge engine installed but it was sold to the CPC Engineering Group and not converted to a full Challenge Race car. Everything is documented and proven so for those non believers, save your remarks please. Would this increase the value? Just wondering if I should sell it to be restored and buy another to modify. I wanted a Vette to do my own thing. According to articles I have read in 1988 56 got the engines but only 50 were completely converted to the race series cars. Thanks for your opinions.

 

I think the only increased value to the car would be if it was actually used in the series. Just because it has a part from a challenge car isn't going to double or triple its value. Use it and enjoy it.

 

From what I understand the car as a whole is a Challenge car,it should have the option code in the option label in the underside of the console door. I can’t remember what the code it but it should be on that label.

 

I would also confirm with the RPO label. And it would be great to see pictures of the car!!

 

56 B9B-optioned '88 Corvettes were built at Bowling Green with 4+3 transmissions and Z51 suspensions. Forty-five were shipped to Protofab in Wixom, Michigan, where they were fitted with competition equipment, including a racing seat, a rollcage, a safety harness, and PBR brake pads and ducting. Protofab also installed a fire-extinguisher system, special Corvette Challenge emblems, and a low-restriction Desert Driveline exhaust. Lightweight Dymag wheels were fitted with half-tread-depth Goodyear street tires.

In 1989, 60 R7F cars were built, and 29 of these were converted into race cars by Powell Development America. The new cars were more like racers than their predecessors, with full rollcages-including side bars-and straight-through exhaust.

Each car's original engine was removed and stored when it was delivered to Powell. Identical race engines were prepared and certified by Chevy's Race Shop, then leased to the teams for $4,000. Bolts and screws on key areas of each race engine were painted with a special paint. Race inspectors then ran a laser light over the engine in a dark enclosure to verify that the mill had not been modified.

Two ultra-rare '90 R9G Corvettes were also on display. Only 23 of these were produced for the '90 World Challenge Championship, which the Corvette won. Buyers of these cars were given the option of purchasing a second L98 racing engine from Chevy's Race Shop. The owners were responsible for the installation and maintenance of these engines.

Another Source:



Chevrolet built fifty-six identical Corvettes for the first year of the Corvette Challenge in 1988. Each was equipped exactly the same, with all standard equipment, the 245hp Cross-Fire fuel injection engine, Doug Nash 4+3manual transmission, Z51 Performance Handling Suspension package, AC3 6-Way Power Driver Seat, UU8 Delco-Bose Stereo, Z6A Side Window and Side Mirror Defog System and 24S Blue Tint Glass Removable Roof Panel. The Corvette Challenge cars differed only in color and, since Bowling Green built Corvettes in batches of the same color, the Corvette Challenge Cars did not have sequential chassis numbers.

Protofab in Wixom, Michigan was selected by Corvette Challenge series organizer Powell Motorsports to race prepare the cars. Each received the same complement of race equipment consisting of a full roll cage, onboard fire extinguisher system, racing seats, Bilstein shock absorbers and special wheels along with other detail changes to meet the demands of highly competitive racing through a nice race season. In addition to the $33,043 price of a Corvette Challenge car, entrants paid Powell Motorsports $15,000 for the cost of Protofab's race prep and the season's entry fee.

There is documentation that identifies by serial number, all Corvettes produced with these option codes. Therefore, it is relatively easy to validate the authenticity of any Challenge car.





1st, I would confirm B9B is on your SPID.

2nd, it would appear if nothing was converted it would appear to be an 88 4+3 Z51 with no additional changes. There is no mention of 88's having their engine changed, just the 89's.

I am not a "Corvette Challenge" expert or have much interest versus any other Corvette. Since there is nothing pre-conversion that would be special, I don't see it adding much value. Though, if I had a crystal ball to predict that it would or never would affect the value, I wouldn't work for a living. It might be a nice bump to get it sold, but I doubt it will ever command a premium. Now, if it had been converted I think it would definitely be worth more.

 

So you have a stock Corvette with a Challenge race engine? If so, don't look for a huge price jump as it is still an '88 Corvette. There are no real comparables out there so it is truly worth what someone will pay for it. Lots of pictures, scans of docs, etc. will help build your case to get good money. Is the car low miles? What condition is it in overall? How has it been stored? All of this will play in to the price. The engine might help give the car a small edge over other '88 Corvettes in similar condition and miles. If you are coming here asking what you should set your reserve at you need to give us a lot of pics and scans of the docs as well. If you are really looking to sell the car, but it on BAT with a reserve you can live with and see what happens. If you are looking for an insurance value, $15K should cover it.

 

Here are some clips from some of the documents

The white one is the one I am talking about.

 

His sheet says it but, read the reference material I posted. 88's did not get a special engine conversion, but the engines were available as replacements during the season that were marked "sealed". 89, the sealed engine was part of the conversion.

Would be more accurate as I see it described from published articles. I see his sheet says only one car has "Challenge Series Engine #81", but articles say the conversion houses did the motors.

 

Never mind guys, I knew there would too much argument about the car so..... For those who did respond to my question, I thank you.

 

Nobody is arguing over your car or challenging it's authenticity. It's a discussion on what equipment level your car is actually in, how it differs from any other 88 Corvettes, and how it effects the value... you are observing enthusiasts discussing... you are getting a chance to see what someone who may pony up the cash to buy your car will be discussing.

Personally, if I was talking to you in person, reviewing the documentation, and considering making an offer... I just walked.

"This car is rare, and I have some documentation I won't let you see the serial number on, how dare you discuss what it is!!! Tell me what it's worth with no information" Is what I got from this thread

 

I read each post above and nowhere in this thread did I read or detect even a hint of an argument. Were you looking for one??? All I read were the opinions that you solicited in your first post (highlighted in red) along with some great information that at least I found informative about the 1988 Challenge cars.

Possessing the information you claim to have on your car, and given that you want a car to "do your own thing" with, I would say: Only YOU can decide if you want to sell it and buy another or keep it and do your own thing with the one you have. If you're not getting answers that you're looking for to guide you and assure you of how you should decide the answer to that question, then so be it. But because you're not getting that kind of response, don't accuse those who have replied of being argumentative. when clearly they are not.

 

Stifling conversation about the existence of these cars with special motors is to stifle interest. If there is no interest, there is no value.

 

Cars definitely rare,I wouldn’t build it as just another car. If you can keep it and buy another that’s the way to go or do some tasteful mods as you see fit.

 

So basically its an 88 Corvette with a stock L98 engine manual 4+3 trans and a rare option code. I suppose that adds value, but only if its in pristine condition, and a documented history since new.

 

this sounds like the dark red metallic car in ontario. was advertised on kijiji for a bit.