There were 80 RPO L88 Corvettes produced in 1968, of which 20
were convertibles such as this one. The L88 427 motor was
installed in a very limited number of production Corvettes from
1967 through 1969. It is best described as a full-race motor
available to the public for street use, direct from the factory.
Chevrolet wanted to produce a high performance Corvette that
was second to none. At the same time, Chevrolet wanted to
discourage the inexperienced from ordering one without realizing
the true potential of the L88. Also, it was necessary to have the
L88 Corvette conform to various government and insurance company
regulations, as well as Chevrolet’s own horsepower policy.
Therefore, RPO L88 was "disguised" by Chevrolet who
manipulated its publicized horsepower rating. The L88 with 12.5:1
compression, hi-lift cam, 850 CFM 4 barrel carb and aluminum heads
was underrated at only 430 HP. L88s actually have been dyno tested
to 560 HP. How could GM do this without it being called
false advertising? Easy, the publicized rating really was its true
horsepower, but Chevrolet neglected to mention that the 430HP
figure was at approximately 1000 RPM under the peak performance
RPM of the L88.
Conversely, engines such as the L71 427 with its 11:1
compression, tri-power carburetion and milder cam were rated at
their actual peak performance at 5600 RPM. The L71 was listed as
435 HP, which was closer to its true peak performance rating, and
5 horses more than the L88’s under-rated 430 HP. It may have
caused the average guy to unknowingly check off L71 on the RPO
option list, thinking it was the biggest motor to be had with his
new Corvette.
The 1968 L88 Vette featured here is equipped per its tank
sticker as: Convertible, International Blue, Black Leather, C05
Black Soft Top, Auxiliary Hardtop, L88 Special Turbo-Jet 427, K66
Transistor Ignition, G81 Positraction Rear 411R, M22 Special
4-Speed, A01 Tinted Glass, F41 Special Performance Suspension, J50
Power Brakes, J56 Heavy Duty Brakes, Red Line Tires, No Radio, and
Heater Delete. This Vette still retains its original engine and
entire drivetrain. It has been Bloomington Gold Certified and NCRS
Top-Flite as well.
