Written by independent automotive journalist Roger C. Johnson

This highly documented and award-winning 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 (Lot #1408) is a factory-documented 4-speed example that will be crossing the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction block with No Reserve.

The Corvette’s L88 option lasted only three model years, which spanned the two body styles from 1967 to 1969. It was considered the most outrageous engine ever assembled for public consumption, although actually conceived strictly for racing applications on road courses and drag strips alike. Zora Arkus-Duntov, the car’s “godfather,” was determined to take his Corvette concept to the highest level possible, to prove once and for all this machine was a world-class performer without reservation.

The 427ci big-block was first referred to as the Mystery V8 in the early ’60s, also nicknamed the “porcupine” engine because of the canted valve train arrangement. It would go on to become Chevrolet’s biggest hammer in the horsepower wars of the era. Aluminum heads and intake manifold supported a dual-feed 850 cfm 4-barrel carb to pump out well over 500 horses ‒ some say 600 ‒ even though it was only rated at 430.

The speculation for this is twofold. Chevrolet only wanted to sell this package to actual racing teams willing to pay the price (double the price, in fact) and able to produce positive media attention for the brand. It was never intended for the overzealous and underskilled librarian or teenager. They were also skirting the racing ban initiated by General Motors at the time, so they had to keep this car’s true potential on the down-low. That meant no national ad campaign touting the world’s fastest production car that would attract unwanted attention from certain agencies within the government. Not to worry, Chevy sold all they made anyway.

The only real options the L88 offered, besides its light weight and mega-power, were heavy-duty suspension and J56 disc brake components, a cowl-induction hood, a G81 posi-traction differential and the choice of either an M20 3-speed Hydramatic, or an M22 Rock Crusher 4-speed manual transmission. A transistor ignition was also included to provide the engine’s 12.5:1 compression pistons with the shock they required to maintain their perfect marching orders. There were only 116 L88 Vettes built in 1969 with this fabulous race-bred option package, although how many are still in this world remains unknown.

To make this particular L88 (Lot #1408) even more desirable, the original buyer opted for real leather seats. The car’s Cortez Silver paint scheme gives this road rocket a jet-fighter persona. This ’69 model also packs the factory side pipes, which are certainly the best-looking system of this type on Earth.

It was said you could drive one of these beasts from the showroom straight to the drag strip and make an 11-second pass. That’s if you didn’t smoke the tires into oblivion off the line or miss a shift. One L88 took the GT class win at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1968, reaching speeds of 194 miles per hour; another took the A/Production win the following year. In 1972, the North American Racing Team (NART) dominated its class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Lot #1408, offered with No Reserve, is a factory-documented 4-speed example purchased new from Division Chevrolet in Chicago. It has since received a complete top-flight restoration by Tim Thorpe, an L88 specialist and respected Bloomington Gold judge. The car’s original Tank Sticker, a copy of the Window Sticker, the owner’s manual, Protect-O-Plate and verification by the family of the car’s second owner thoroughly confirm this ’Vette’s pedigree.

Not only did the L88 annihilate plenty of its competitors on racetracks, it’s doing the same thing now at major car shows everywhere. This very example has been awarded NCRS Top Flight and is two-time Bloomington Gold certified, in addition to Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals (MCCN) Gold Concours and Triple Diamond awards. It was part of the L88 Invasion “Special Collection” in 2008 and the MCCN L88 Invitational in 2009.

If you’re ready to jump up to the stratosphere of collectible sports cars, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for. The L88 Corvette was designed to be the fastest production sports car in the world, so you’ll have to act just as quickly if you want to make this one your very own.

For up-to-date information about this vehicle, click HERE. For a look at all the vehicles headed to the 2020 Scottsdale Auction, click HERE.