Marcus Palmer
The only Sunfire Yellow 1967 L88 Corvette known to exist sells at Mecum’s Glendale auction at an astounding $2.45 million
Last night, the hammer fell at $2.45 million for Corvette Mike’s impressive 1967 L88 Corvette as it crossed the block at Mecum’s Glendale 2021 auction.
While only 20 L88 Corvettes were built in 1967, this one is the absolute cream of the crop with its impressive number of awards and documentation to back up its pedigree. To add to its exclusivity, it’s the only Duntov and Triple Diamond-awarded 1967 Corvette L88 still equipped with its original engine.
Below are the details from the auction listing:
Highlights
- One of 20 L88 Corvettes produced in 1967
- The only Duntov and Triple Diamond-awarded 1967 Corvette L88 still equipped with its original engine
- The only known Sunfire Yellow L88 Corvette
- Bloomington Gold Certified
- Participated in the L88 Explosion display at Bloomington Gold in 2018
- NCRS Top Flight Award
- NCRS Performance Verification
- Duntov Mark of Excellence
- MCACN Concours Gold and Celebrity Pick in 2018
- Triple Diamond Certified
- Original L88 block with Al Grenning/CCAS engine pad affirmation
- Original trim tag with Al Grenning/CCAS affirmation
- NCRS-Validated Tank Sticker
- Original new car sales contract
- Original title is still with the car
- Meticulous 10-year restoration
- Matching numbers 427/430 HP engine
- M22 Rock Crusher 4-speed transmission
- K66 transistorized ignition
- J56 heavy duty brakes
- J50 power brakes
- F41 suspension
- Well known Corvette Master Judge and 1967 renowned expert Mark Donnally has personally inspected and confirmed authenticity and originality of this very rare 1967 L88
- Please note that the ownership of this 1967 L88 coupe will be transferred to the winning bidder via a bill of sale. Should the new owner wish to drive the car on public roads, he or she must title the car in his or her name, which will require the surrender of the historic title.
In Corvette’s almost 70-year history, there has never been another like the L88, an earthshaking machine of raw, unbridled power that redefined Corvette performance and amassed a winning record in FIA and SCCA production competition that went unchallenged for years afterwards. Developed by Zora Arkus-Duntov with Roger Penske through 1965 and 1966, the 427 CI L88 engine employed a reinforced cast-iron block carrying 4-bolt mains, a Tuftrided forged steel crank and connecting rods, and 12.5:1 forged aluminum pistons. The most radical solid-lifter camshaft ever fitted to a production Chevrolet engine actuated a hardened valvetrain in racing-developed high-flow aluminum heads, which breathed in fresh air through a cowl-induction-fed Holley 850 CFM 4-barrel carburetor on an open-plenum aluminum intake manifold. Chevrolet deceptively rated the L88’s output at just 430 HP at 5,200 RPM; when fully race-prepared and running on 103-octane fuel, it reliably churned out 560 HP at 6,400 RPM and almost 500 lb-ft of torque at 5,200.
More than just a fire-breathing, race-ready big-block engine, Regular Production Option L88 was a balanced, comprehensive package of required equipment that included F41 Special Suspension, J56 Heavy Duty disc brakes with J50 vacuum assist, Muncie’s M22 “Rock Crusher” 4-speed, G81 Positraction rear axle, K66 Transistor Ignition with mechanical advance, and radio and heater delete. A Harrison heavy-duty cross-flow aluminum radiator replaced the stock unit and dispensed with the radiator shroud to maximize high-speed cooling, a feature that caused overheating in regular traffic. Just as Arkus-Duntov intended, the L88 left no doubt that it was meant for serious competition. Only 20 L88s were built in that first year of production.
Among the most celebrated and highly prized examples of the exceedingly rare 1967 L88 is this stunning multiple-prize-winning coupe, the only known Corvette L88 factory finished in Sunfire Yellow paint. With its odometer showing just 348 miles since the completion of a meticulous, 10-year restoration, this especially rare L88 coupe’s engine and trim tag have both been affirmed by Al Grenning’s Classic Car Affirmation Service as factory original to the car. Well-known Corvette Master Judge and renowned 1967 expert Mark Donnally has personally inspected and confirmed the authenticity and originality of this very rare 1967 L88, which has amassed a veritable treasure chest of highly coveted Corvette honors. Its Bloomington Gold Certification was followed by participation in the L88 Explosion display at Bloomington Gold 2018. In addition to the NCRS Top Flight Award, the car has also achieved NCRS Performance Verification and that organization’s prized Duntov Mark of Excellence Award. It then made headlines at the 2018 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals by winning Concours Gold, the Celebrity Pick Award and Triple Diamond Certification, becoming the only 1967 L88 retaining its original engine to win both the Duntov and Triple Diamond awards. This extraordinary award-winning L88 is documented with the original owner’s manual, NCRS-validated tank sticker, original new car sales contract and the original title.
Source: Mecum Auctions
Chime in with your thoughts in the forums!
