This 1969 Chevrolet Corvette is one of 216 examples equipped with the L88 package during three years of production and is one of 116 built for the 1969 model year.
The car retains its numbers-matching 427ci L88 V8 with open-chambered aluminum cylinder heads, a performance camshaft, a 12.0:1 compression ratio, and a four-barrel Holley carburetor.
The 427ci V8 incorporates forged internals and a high-lift, high-overlap camshaft as well as solid lifters and aluminum cylinder heads, the latter of which were updated for 1969 with open chambers to allow more airflow.
The 850-cfm Holley four-barrel carburetor sits atop an aluminum intake manifold with a specially milled divider plenum, while transistor ignition was a mandated option for L88-equipped cars.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via an M22 “rock crusher” four-speed manual gearbox and a Positraction rear end that was ordered from the factory with a 3.70:1 gear ratio.
The L88 option necessitated the addition of the F41 heavy-duty suspension package that comprised a seven-leaf rear spring, higher-rate front coil springs, special shock absorbers, and a rear sway bar.
Also mandatory was the selection of power-assisted brakes with the J56 heavy-duty brake package consisting of performance calipers with twin retaining pins, L-shaped pads, and stiffening brackets on the front units.
RPO L88 was developed under the direction of Zora Arkus-Duntov as a means to offer a competition-oriented variant of the Corvette without running afoul of the corporate racing ban imposed by GM in the early 1960s.
Introduced in 1967, the limited-availability package omitted various comfort options and was presented with an understated power rating and designation of the engine for “off-road” use.
One of the final cars produced with the L88 package, this example left the factory finished in the single-year shade of Riverside Gold (980).
Black stripes were added around the tail as well as over the trunk, roof, and hood scoop.
After an additional refurbishment to factory appearance in 2010, the stripes and period racing decals were recreated in 2017.
The car was again repainted in its solid factory color by Harbour Auto Restoration in 2018.
Painted wheels wear chrome hubcaps and trim rings and are mounted with white-letter F70-15 Firestone Wide Oval tires.
Exterior features include removable color-matched T-tops, “Stingray” fender badging, integrated backup lamps, and an L88-specific hood scoop with an integrated air plenum and higher clearance than that used on other 427-powered variants.
Options listed on factory documents include soft-ray tinted glass and a side-mounted exhaust system with ribbed aluminum covers.
The cockpit is trimmed in black vinyl (ZQ4) with Comfortweave seat inserts and matching upholstery over the door panels and dash as well as color-keyed loop carpeting.
A decal affixed to the console warns that 103 octane fuel must be used, and a guide to the ignition lock system is wrapped around the left sun visor.
The L88 package precluded selection of air conditioning, power steering, or a radio.
The three-spoke steering wheel frames a 160-mph speedometer and a tachometer with a 6,500-rpm redline, while the center stack houses a clock and gauges monitoring fuel level, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and amperage.
The five-digit odometer shows 14,500 miles.
