It was 1967, and Chevrolet was preparing to put the second generation of the Corvette on the back burner. They had another one coming and they seemed ready for the switch. It was more powerful, faster, and innovative. But the second gen was still living its moments of glory. Some very special models came out that year. And one of them is this Rally Red on Red Corvette.
It is reportedly the only one with such a configuration that rolled off the production line that year. 1967 brought restyled fender vents, rectangular backup lamps centrally positioned, and the four taillights in red, a configuration that made a comeback that year after a six-year hiatus.
1967 also brought the L88 engine. It was a 'save the best for last' kind of approach for the carmaker. Chevrolet claimed that engine developed 430 horsepower (436 metric horsepower) and 450 lb-ft (610 Nm) of torque. But those were the official figures. And they were ridiculous. Off the record, the L88, the cipher, the secret password to exciting driving, did so much more under the elongated hood of the Corvette. It was the elephant in the room.
Unofficial estimates place it at around 560 horsepower (568 PS), coming out of the almighty cast-iron 427.1-cubic inch (6,999 cc) block with aluminum heads, forged internal reciprocating assemblies, and 12.5 to 1 compression. The 850 CFM Holley four-barrel carburetor and the massive intake and exhaust valves were also on the menu.
Also official was the run from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 kph), which took 6.8 seconds, while top speed was 151 mph (243 kph). Hiding the real capabilities of the L88, Chevrolet had a plan. It would try to protect customers from high insurance rates and taxes. But the move also kept many away.
Photo: Mecum
Only 20 examples powered by the L88 were made. All the changes that were made to attract customers, actually had the exact opposite effect. Sales figures collapsed, and Chevrolet only sold 22,940 cars, 8,504 of them being coupes and 14,436 - convertibles.
The cars were next to primitive. They had no radio and no heater and they had the Rock Crusher on board. That is what they called the four-speed Muncie M22 manual gearbox. It whined and creaked, going through the gears, but a joy to enthusiasts. It was raw and exactly what the car needed at the time.
The model is equipped with the mandatory power brakes only because the four-wheel disc brakes are installed with metallic pads. When cold, they are literally useless. The extra brake power must have saved a few lives over the years. Something had to compensate for the fake official output.
Customers who wanted to drive an L88-powered Corvette home had to pay $1,500 above the sticker price of the lesser-powered Corvettes that year, taking the price of the car to over $13,000.
Photo: Mecum
And the L88 is not the only cherry on top of this 1967 Corvette. It runs the Rally Red exterior over the Red leather interior. It is the only of the 20 cars built that year, known to have this color combo.
The car has a whole CV full of accolades. The NCRS Duntov Mark of Excellence Award and the Bloomington Gold Certification are just two of them.
GM’s retired executive Tom Hill confirms that this L88 was drag-raced early in its life before it underwent a complete restoration carried out by the Naber brothers in Houston. The paint looks as good as new, the chrome shines brightly regardless of the angle you look at it from, and there is no sign of tear and wear on board despite the fact that we are dealing with a car that is more than half a century old.
There is a warning sticker on the center console that warns drivers that the car can only run on fuel having a minimum of 103 research octane and 95 motor octane to avoid engine damage.
Hill points to a loose-leaf binder as big as the entire history of the Corvette as the documentation of this car, with the tank sticker included.
Photo: Mecum
Hill says that the stickers from the coupes are usually in better condition because the convertibles expose them more to the elements. The one on this Chevy was very well preserved. The model has only driven as far as 11,975 miles (19,272 kilometers) in its 56-year career.
This super rare 1967 Chevrolet Corvette, one of 20 and the only one with this color combo, will be auctioned off in January 2024, and collectors will probably queue to get it despite the hefty estimation. Mecum Auctions expects the muscle car to sell for a sum anywhere between $3.4 and $3.8 million. According to classic.com, the highest price ever paid on a 1967 Chevy Corvette was $990,000. But none of them had such special spec.
Google News