1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Sets $3.85m Auction Record
A rare 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88, restored and fully documented, fetched $3.85 million at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, setting a new benchmark for the model.
A 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 has sold for $3.85 million at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, making it the most expensive Corvette L88 ever sold at public auction as of January 2014. The price eclipsed the previous record of $3.2 million set the year before for another example of the same model.
Why the L88 is so valuable
The L88 variant is regarded as the ultimate C2-generation Corvette. Chevrolet built just 20 L88s in 1967, each intended for racing rather than road use. The 427-cubic-inch V8 was officially rated at 430 horsepower, but contemporary sources and later analysis suggest that real output was closer to 560 horsepower or more. The engine was paired with heavy-duty components and lacked comfort features such as a radio or heater, reinforcing its competition focus.
The car that crossed the block in Scottsdale was finished in red and had undergone a detailed restoration by the Naber Brothers of Houston, a firm well known in Corvette circles. The car was fully documented and represented at auction by Roy Sinor, the recently retired National Corvette Restorers Society national judging chairman, adding further confidence for collectors and bidders.
Auction context and collector demand
The $3.85 million hammer price reflects both the rarity and the status of the L88 in American muscle car history. While other classic Corvettes are valuable, the L88's combination of low production numbers, racing pedigree and raw performance has made it the most desirable of the breed. The record price at Barrett-Jackson came amid strong demand for top-tier American classics, with buyers seeking out the best-documented and most original examples.
The previous L88 record, set at $3.2 million in 2013, had already signalled a sharp rise in values for this model. The 2014 result confirms the L88's position at the top of the Corvette market. The car's provenance, restoration quality and representation by respected Corvette experts all contributed to the final figure.
Specification highlights of the 1967 Corvette L88
| Engine | 427 cu in (7.0-litre) V8 L88 |
|---|---|
| Official power output | 430 hp (320 kW) |
| Estimated real output | Up to 560 hp (420 kW) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Production number (1967) | 20 units |
| Features | No radio, no heater, heavy-duty brakes and suspension |
For more on Chevrolet Corvette news and related developments, see Photo Gallery: Drunk Driver Wrecks Multiple New Chevrolet Corvettes at Miami Dealership.
