Evaluation: Matching numbers drivetrain. One of 116 L88s built for 1969, the model’s last year. Crossed flags badge on the nose has almost no paint on it. Dull chrome. Good paint with some chips around the headlight doors and a blemish on the passenger’s door. Largely original interior with some age to the steering wheel, switchgear and gauges. Some blemishes and surface rust on the wheels. There are also cobwebs underneath, a sure sign that this car doesn’t move or get detailed too often. Still, though, it’s a real-deal L88 and that’s always something.
Bottom Line: Of the three years (1967-69) that the fabled L88 engine option was available in the Corvette, 1969 is the most common. But with just 116 produced it’s still extremely rare. And, given the L88’s performance, history and stature in the Corvette hierarchy, quite valuable as well. So this result was a pretty big surprise, given the car’s condition and matching numbers drivetrain. Mecum’s presale estimate was an entirely reasonable range for a real-deal ’69 L88 and if there was a reserve on it the seller would have been equally reasonable to refuse the high bid here in Indy. But there wasn’t a reserve, and the car sold to a sharp-eyed and lucky new owner.
