67 Vette

Subject:
'67 L88 Corvette
Kit Used: Revell 1/25

Review & model by:
Mark Huhtala
Pictures: R. Forys

History: Chevrolet's Corvette engineering group began developing the L88 package in early 1965, and by 1967 it was ready for the track. The L88 was a thinly disguised racing version of the Chevy big block 427 that included a forged and Tuftrided crankshaft, 12.5:1 pistons, alloy cylinder heads, and a cold air induction system. The engine was designed to make maximum power while lasting through a round the clock endurance race.

While the engine was of course the heart of the package, there were many other components integrated to complete the deal. This included a M22 "Rock Crusher" four-speed transmission, F41 heavy-duty suspension, power assisted heavy-duty breaks, K66 transistor ignition, and a G81 Positraction differential. Besides all this, there was a list of equipment that could not be ordered with the car. Chevy's in-house publication stated that certain normally standard components were deleted to cut down on weight and discourage its use on the street. Unnecessary items like air conditioning, a radio, engine fan shroud, carburetor choke, and a heater/ defroster were all deleted. The package was completed with a warning sticker glued to the center console that reminded the driver that the engine required 103 octane fuel.

Oddly, it seemed that Chevy tried to discourage selling the package. The engine alone added almost $1000 to the cost of the car, and when all the other mandatory options were added, the price of the car increased by almost 50 percent. Finally, the L88's power was advertised as 430hp, which was 5 less than the L71 427 engine, which cost less than half as much. Actually, the 430hp was measured at 4600 rpm, well below the engine's peak, and used cast iron exhaust manifolds and mufflers. The L88 needed an open exhaust path and pure racing fuel to excel to its true potential of almost 600hp at 6500rpm.

[The first factory built L88 Corvette was purchased by Sunray DX]

The first factory built L88 Corvette rolled off of the assembly line in the spring of 1967, just 3 weeks before Sebring. It was purchased by the Motorsports Division of Sunray DX Oil Corporation. By 1965, Sunray DX was the sixth largest oil company in the world, but despite its size and stability, it realized it had an image problem with the younger generation. So in an effort to rejuvenate its image, Sunray DX decided to go racing!

To get things started, DX formed an alliance with Pittsburgh based Yenko Chevrolet, and SCCA national champion Don Yenko. This was important because Chevy was not due to produce the L88 package until after Sebring, which put a serious kink in the DX plan to race there. However, the problem was solved with a phone call from Don Yenko to the home of GM president Ed Cole, who issued the necessary edict to have the car specially produced.

[12-hour Sebring and 24-hour Daytona first in GT class]

Three weeks later, the car was on the starting grid for the 12 hour Sebring race. Yenko and Dave Morgan co-drove the car, finishing first in GT class, and tenth overall, despite spending the final 40 minutes of the race off the track after brake failure. Morgan drove the car solo for the rest of the '67 season and ended up with the SCCA Mid-West Division title. In 1968, Morgan and Jerry Grant took the car to the 24-hour Daytona race, where it again finished first in class, and tenth overall. It ran perfectly for the entire 24 hours, and was clocked at an amazing top speed of 194 mph. There were plans to expand the program and take the car to Le Mans in '69, but it wasn't meant to be. Towards the end of 1968, Sunray DX completed a deal to merge with Sunoco, who already had an active racing program with Roger Penske, and therefore the DX team was dissolved.

[A grand total of 20 '67 L88 Corvettes were built]

The L88 option disappeared from Corvette order sheets soon after it appeared, due to safety concerns and emissions standards. A grand total of 20 '67 L88 Corvettes were built, and today less than 10 documented examples remain. The DX Corvette has passed through several hands since 1968, and was restored to its 1967 Sebring race configuration in 1990. It is by far the most important L88 in existence, and might be the most desirable production Corvette ever made. It went up for auction in 2002 at Monterey, CA but did not sell though the high bid was $900,000.

[The decals are from Vintage Racing Miniatures.]

The Kit: This project combined the nice Revell 1/25 scale '67 Corvette kit with decals from Vintage Racing Miniatures to produce the Sunray DX Racing L88 Corvette. The kit features good fit overall, and no problems were encountered during the build. A roll bar was added, the engine was wired, and the wheels and tires and air cleaner were borrowed from the Revell Stars and Stripes Corvette kit. Other than that, it was painted with Tamiya paints. The finished product came out well and it fills an important spot in my racing collection.

References:
On the web: www.corvetteactioncenter.com