Rarity claims are nothing new to us at Barn Finds, and these sometimes add little to the potential value of a classic. However, cars sometimes land on our desks where the feature that raises that claim is so significant it is impossible to ignore. Such is the case with this 1968 Chevrolet Corvette. Its tired paint shows the ravages of age, but beneath the skin hides an engine that makes this one of the most potent and desirable Corvettes produced in that model year. It is a prime candidate for a cosmetic restoration, although it would command as much respect if the buyer chose to leave it as-is. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting this muscular beast listed here on eBay in Lakeside, California. The seller set their BIN at $300,000, and when you assess the specifications, you may decide that the figure is justified.
The 1968 model year saw the introduction of the C3 Corvette, and a legend was born. The C3 is one of a handful of cars with a silhouette that can be considered globally recognizable. The sales success it enjoyed until production ended in 1982 demonstrates how warmly it was embraced by the buying public. Our feature car rolled off the line during the first year, ordered by its original owner in International Blue. The seller is sparing with their listing information, although they state that there is a great story behind this classic. They haven’t done themselves any favors by withholding the relevant information, making it unclear whether the car is a genuine survivor. The paint looks tired, and any restoration would require stripping it away to achieve a high-end result. The plates and current location seem to suggest that this Corvette has spent its life in a dry climate, allowing it to avoid any potential frame or birdcage issues. Some trim pieces require a refresh, and the aftermarket side exhaust won’t thrill purists. However, when we flip open the hood, the beast hiding in the engine bay would sound pretty wild exhaling through that system.
Chevrolet provided ’68 Corvette buyers with a decent selection of engines to power their new purchase. The company tried to cater to all tastes and budgets, with some upgrades representing exceptional value for money. This car’s first owner focused purely on brutal performance, investing an additional $947.90 over the sticker price for the L88 version of the 427ci V8. This was the most expensive powerplant in the company’s arsenal, which may explain why only eighty buyers ticked that box. It sends an “official” 430hp and 485 ft/lbs of torque to the rear end via a four-speed manual transmission. I use the word “official” because there are plenty of experts who believe that the true figures were far higher. Regardless of the truth, that makes this Corvette both extremely rare and extraordinarily potent. The seller doesn’t mention whether the car is numbers-matching, although they also don’t say that it isn’t. It comes with an extensive collection of documentation and is said to run well.
The seller only supplies two interior shots in their listing, and this is the better of the pair. It doesn’t tell us much about the state of the Blue vinyl trim, although glimpses in the other shot suggest that it is in decent condition. However, the reason I selected this photo was because it tells us something quite important about the first owner’s focus when ordering this Corvette. They elected not to spend the cash on comfort features like power windows or a radio, preferring to create one of the most potent ‘Vettes to leave the factory in 1968.
There is no doubt that at $300,000, purchasing this 1968 Corvette won’t be a cheap investment. However, the rarity and desirability of the big-block under the hood suggest that it might be a good one. The seller’s quote for the potential value of this classic, once returned to a pristine state, is pretty accurate. So, if an American classic with a total focus on performance is what you seek, your search may be over if you park this ‘Vette in your garage.
Holy Toledo. 300 big ones . Expensive engine option, it had all the Generals goodies from the parts bin. Thanks AC. 🖊 👍
L88’s have sold for $600k. In better condition than this one, but still his low asking price makes me suspicious.
I have a lot of doubts about this car being a real L-88. To start with the L-88 came with a unique to the L-88 aluminum radiator with a remote expansion tank. This car has the copper radiator with attached tanks that the regular 427 came with. Also, the L-88 was not offered with a fan shroud because Chevrolet didn’t intend them to be street driven.
The seller wants a quarter million dollars for the car and yet only includes 11 crappy pictures of it. Then they claim it has plenty of documentation but only shows some old registrations and a new NCRS shippers report, none of which proves it’s an L-88. There are no pictures of the stamp pad to prove it’s an L-88 engine, and from the one lousy picture of the engine it’s impossible to see if it has some of the other unique L-88 features like the water neck extension or the J-56 HD brakes only proportioning valve.
L-88’s were not available with a radio, and while this car does have the radio block off plate (which is repro’d), but it also has a hole in the rear deck where an antenna once stood. The hood and air cleaner are L-88 parts, but a lot of owners have added them to Corvettes over the years. Is it a real L-88, maybe but I see more questions than answers.
gbvette62, I know very little about Corvettes, and I do not doubt your apparent expertise.
However, I wonder, if when someone sells a car like this (or even one more “mundane” for lack of the correct word), that the method behind the minimal information given, is to invoke conversation, and certainly, a visit to see the car.
Good points.
If you read the ad description like a lawyer (which I’m not), you’ll notice the seller doesn’t say it’s a factory-built L-88. He certainly doesn’t say this car has it’s original engine. And with the poor fit of that hood, I’m guessing it didn’t leave St. Louis on that front end.
I think that ad is very misleading, and that it’s intentional. Shame on the seller.
My ex brother-in-law had one of these in high school. Same color—427—probably power windows thoough. I don’t remember. He was Doc Bennett’s son and the only kid in CFalls with a new Corvette. He married my sister and they later divorced, After a while, he just became my brother. Steve’s been gone about a year. Hoping he’s where he wanted to go, fast cars and all.
Gbvette62…..I wholeheartedly agree with your comments. Radio & power windows were definitely not options with the L88 cars. The radiator is wrong as is the fan (GM used a non-clutch type with the small aluminum radiator)….and as you said, where’s the expansion tank…..man, for that kinda money, Buyer beware……
I don’t know. Looking like a Barrett Jackson car to me.
How many times do we see correct COPO cars on this forum? Not very often.
Sorry, just a little skeptical.
This is not a true L88 based on my observations and what gbvette62 said. Wrong radiator, no smog pump and the price, if legit is too low. Also nobody selling a true L88 would have put sidemount headers on it. Side exhaust not available on 68 Corvettes, let these Hooker headers. And they don’t sell for $700,000. 68 and 69 L88s, even the very best ones, bring $600,000. Several in recent years have failed to make reserve at major auctions. It’s only worth what someone is willing to pay.
Actually, “side exhaust” was available on the ’68s, but was listed as “off road exhaust” (code N11) but certainly not the Hooker Header side pipes this one has.
As I state in an earlier post, I was involved with 2 others – both NCRS certified- one the owner of his museum I managed he paid $500K for, the other, $2.5 Million.
side mounted exhaust were not available in 1968. Off road exhaust is a different option consisting of a larger 2 1/2″ diameter exhaust pipe for better engine breathing. I had 1968 L89 with off road exhaust pipes and several 1969 L71s with side exhaust pipes.
To all the doubters, nowhere does the seller insinuate that this is NOT an original L88. Anyone who is going to pay this kind of money, hopefully has enough money to go look at it first. They will also have enough money to take someone with them to verify its authenticity. If it were not real, the asking price would be substantially lower than 3 big ones. As for incorrect items, it is a SIXTY EIGHT year old car!!!! It is very easy to verify this car. But that is not to say someone is not stupid enough to buy a fake car.
To add to all of the above comments. Here is just another little one for your consideration. Why would a radio delete car have an antenna mounting hole in the driver’s side rear fender?
$300K, the laugh of the day!
Maybe the 300k asking price is saying it’s not a numbers matching L88 Corvette. Just my opinion.
Greg, if that’s the case and it’s true what you say. Who in their right mind would pay this price?
What am I missing?
I think that anyone could build a 68 Stingray and dump $250k and have a totally maximum performance vette.
The only thing that you couldn’t say is that it is not a L88…wow.
I had the pleasure of working as the Museum Manager/Curator for Rick Treworgy (RIP) at his Muscle Car City Museum, the last 3 years it was open in Punta Gorda, FL. Rick’s Corvette collection could be stacked up against almost any in the country. Rick spent several years searching for real L88’s to ad to his collection. In 2019, after 4 months of research, he purchased 1969 L88 Corvette #216 (the very last one built) from Pro Team Corvette in Napolean, OH. While I’m not registered here to post photos, I still have several of the pictures I took of that car when it was delivered to the museum in December of 2019. I bring this up because I see several items on the car posted here that scream “clone.”
The Hooker side pipes are a red flag for starters. If a person has a genuine L88, that person KNOWS what they have. An
“off-road exhaust” was offered in 1968. But not the side pipes on this car.
Under the hood, the first thing that struck me was the Chevy orange paint on the intake manifold – in particular, the radiator hose coupling. All L88’s had aluminum heads AND aluminum intake manifolds.
There also was never a fan shroud offered on any of the L88 equipped cars. This was done by Chevrolet to actually discourage street driving. This was a race engine, and Chevy only wanted these in the hands of real racers who understood what they had.
Inside, creature comforts like radios, and A/C were not available. Every L88 car came with a blockout plate in place of the radio. The picture also conveniently omits a decal that was applied to the console, just below the parking brake stating: “WARNING: Vehicle must operate on a minimum of 102 research octane and 95 motor octane or engine damage may result.”
There was also another tag mounted just below the shifter stating, “427 Cubic Inches L88” Nothing more. If this were a real L88, I believe those items would be in place and the seller would want potential buyers to see them. Rick researched #216 completely for 4 months before writing the check for $500K to own it. Incidentally, he also bought 1967 L88 #1 (Black roadster/turquoise stinger from Dana Mecum when Mecum came to conduct the auction in January 2021 to close the museum. Rick paid $2.5 Million for that car. And he bought a yellow 69 L88 at the Mecum sale in AZ for $3.4 Million.
Just wanted to offer some insight into a few things I spotted on this car and my experience with a couple other NCRS certified L88’s I’ve had the good fortune to rub elbows with.
My wife would think I am insane, and then she would divorce me.
Most likely not a genuine L-88.
That’s my gut.
I suppose that anything can be explained, but this seller will have a LOT of that to do to any serious potential buyer.
There is a binder with documentation that a buyer can examine, plus they can hear the “great story behind the Vette”.
My prediction is that this auction will be yanked in a few days.
I don’t get the NCRS paper. It just says it is a Corvette with a few other details. It does have the serial number. Can you ID an L88 by the serial number like the COPO Camaros?
Billy you’re right but if this car was a true numbers matching L88 the seller would be the first state this fact with documents to prove province for a lot more than 300k. Sure you build this car for the ask but why would you if you’ve got the real thing.
Is the owner a Nigerian Prince as well?
It would be way cheaper to buy a nice 68 big block Corvette and drop in a purpose-built L88 motor plus a few other items if you wanted a 1968 L88 Corvette (albeit not factory original)