1969 Corvette: Official GM Photo.

Aspiring musicians who were used to carrying their gear with the mid years Corvette coupes were in for a shock when the C3 generation appeared. Cargo volume did a nose dive; an area where nice sized amplifiers once occupied was now suitable for not much more than a tambourine. The solution for many owners was a aftermarket luggage rack. While it may not have done much for the aesthetics or aerodynamics of the Corvette, it made sense for road trips.

Corvette Legend: L88

The L88 option was available for only three model years: 1967 (production quantity: 20 $947.90), 1968 (quantity 80 $947.90) and 1969 (quantity 116 $1032.15) for a total of 216. It was unabashedly a racing engine judging by the required 103 research octane, radio delete and no air conditioning.

GM rated the engine at 435 horsepower, probably to discourage the general public from making the unwise purchase. Racers knew otherwise and estimates are that highly modified version of Chevy’s 427-cubic-inch V-8 actually produced between 540 and 580 horsepower. There are reports that, depending on configuration details and how it was tested, it could make almost 600 horsepower. 1/4 mile acceleration times were from 11.5 to 12 seconds - impressive for any car in the 1960s.

Above middle and below: The legendary L88 engine. Notice the lack of EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference) shielding for the spark plug wires and the distributor. All L88 Corvettes came from the factory sans radios so static was not an issue. These were dedicated race cars.

Right: The L88 tachometer. Notice the 6,500 RPM redline; that sound, at race speeds, was glorious.

Two 1969 L88 Corvettes were on the auction block at Mecum Monterey, August 2019. The Fathom Green one was bid to $350,000 but did not sell. The Can Am white one was bid to $335,000 but also did not sell.

The L88 Package included a special hood. It is well liked by the Corvette crowd and is often found as a custom upgrade to Big Block Corvettes.

The L88 engine plague had only the displacement and the engine designation displayed. Notable by it's absence: The horsepower and torque statistics. I wonder why?

1969 Corvette convertible with vinyl covered (RPO C08; $57.95) hardtop (RPO C07; $252.80) and aftermarket L88 hood.

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The side exhaust, which had been an integral part of the Corvette "bad boy" image since 1965, went on hiatus for 1968 but returned in 1969 (RPO N14; $147.45).

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Apollo 12 astronauts (L-R) Charles 'Pete' Conrad Jr., Richard Francis Gordon Jr., and Alan LaVern Bean with their identical 1969 Corvette Stingray coupes. The coupes featured a 390 horsepower, 427 L36 V8 engines and black-accented Riverside Gold color scheme designed by Bean. Location: Cocoa Beach, Florida September 23, 1969.