<< Prev Page 2 of 2 While the first L88 engine ran late in 1965, the option did not become available until the spring of 1967; right at the end of the production cycle of the second generation or 'C2' Corvette. As a result only 20 Corvettes were built with the L88 engine that year. Following the launch of the restyled 'C3' Corvette in 1968, production was ramped and an additional 80 examples (Coupes and Roadsters) of the competition ready machine were built. With production now exceeding 100, this meant the engine was fully homologated for national and international events. The L88 remained an RPO through to 1969 when a further 116 examples were specified with the potent V8.
One of the first competition outings for the L88 Corvette was the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June of 1967. Driven by Bob Bondurant and Dick Guldstrand, the potent machine reached speeds of up to 171 mph but was eventually forced to retire with a broken engine. With the introduction of the C3 in 1968, true racing success came for the L88 Corvettes. In that year's SCCA A-Production class, a big-block Corvette would win eight races out of eleven attempts. The L88 Corvettes would remain successful for several more seasons, scoring outright wins on the American continent and also numerous class victories in international events.
For 1969 an even hotter RPO was added to the Corvette option book. Known as the ZL1, this included an all-aluminium version of the big block, which was also used in the popular Can-Am Challenge. Only around a dozen were built and reportedly just two were sold as the engine alone was just expensive as a complete small-block Corvette. In 1970 neither the L88 or ZL1 were back as Regular Production Options. Due to their rarity and extremely powerful, race-bred engines, these remain among the most desirable Corvette 'road' cars. << Prev Page 2 of 2
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Corvette L88 Roadster
While the first L88 engine ran late in 1965, the option did not become available until the spring of 1967; right at the end of the production cycle of the second generation or 'C2' Corvette. As a result only 20 Corvettes were built with the L88 engine that year. Following the launch of the restyled 'C3' Corvette in 1968, production was ramped and an additional 80 examples (Coupes and Roadsters) of the competition ready machine were built. With production now exceeding 100, this meant the engine was fully homologated for national and international events. The L88 remained an RPO through to 1969 when a further 116 examples were specified with the potent V8.