First-Ever '67 Corvette L88 Aims to Rake in Millions

Stirring up Interest

Few Corvettes in the model's illustrious history measure up to the highly lauded L88. Built in ultra-limited quantities and campaigned heavily on the track, it's no wonder why collectors covet them so much. That interest figures to be even more intense when it comes to this particular '67 L88, which is going up for grabs at Mecum's Kissimmee sale. Mainly because it's the very first one ever built.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

Plenty of Prominence

Yes, this '67 is the first Corvette one ever built with the RPO L88 option package. Which makes it special in its own right. But the car is also the only Tuxedo Black convertible '67 L88 in existence, too. And if that isn't enough for you, this Corvette was also driven by famed racer Tony DeLorenzo Jr., son of GM Public Relations Executive Anthony G. DeLorenzo. 

Photos: Mecum Auctions

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Going Racing

The younger DeLorenzo obviously grew up around some pretty high-performance machinery, thus it was no surprise when he wanted to order a Corvette with the intention of participating in SCCA's driving school. DeLorenzo showed a natural knack for racing, which eventually led to his ownership of this very car. Hanley Dawson Chevrolet in Detroit took delivery of the Corvette and also provided the young driver with the backing he needed to mount an effort in the SCCA A Production series. 

Photos: Mecum Auctions

>>Join the conversation about this 1967 L88 C2 right here in Corvette Forum.

Instant Success

Immediately after prepping the car for the track, it went out and won its first race at Wilmot Hills, Wisconsin. The Corvette reached 155 mph in its next race at Elkhart Lake, which prompted the elder DeLorenzo to stop attending his son's races out of fear, at least for a full two years. At the end of the season, DeLorenzo qualified third at the SCCA Runoffs at Daytona Beach, and he ultimately finished second at the prestigious race. 

Photos: Mecum Auctions

>>Join the conversation about this 1967 L88 C2 right here in Corvette Forum.

Long Career

DeLorenzo continued to campaign his Corvette through the 1968 season before selling the L88 to Doug Hooper, who raced the car for several years in B Production. It then headed to Canada, where it compiled a winning record and claimed the 1982 Canadian Road Race Championship. That same year, the car was sold to a private collector and restored to immaculate condition. 

Photos: Mecum Auctions

>>Join the conversation about this 1967 L88 C2 right here in Corvette Forum.

Award Winner

The restoration was good enough to secure the car a number of honors, including a Bloomington Gold certification, multiple NCRS Top Flight awards in 1984, a National NCRS Top Flight award, NCRS Performance Verification, and an invitation to the Bloomington Gold Special Collection in 1985. It was later invited to the Bloomington Gold Special Collection in 1988 and 1992 and also earned an NCRS American Heritage award in 2013. 

Photos: Mecum Auctions

>>Join the conversation about this 1967 L88 C2 right here in Corvette Forum.

Super Special

Any of the 20 '67 L88 Corvettes built are obviously special, but this one lays claim to being the first. The fact that it also presents in Concours condition only furthers that cause. And those two qualities alone should make this special Corvette a lock to hit its $2,000,000+ auction estimate if nothing else.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

>>Join the conversation about this 1967 L88 C2 right here in Corvette Forum.

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