1968 Corvette L88 427-430HP Convertible

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.