1967 Chevrolet Corvette Marina Blue Convertible

The L88 Corvette is an absolute legend, thanks to the raucous nature, race-track intentions, and extreme rarity. The engine’s brief availability from 1967-1969 yielded only 216 cars, with ‘67s being the rarest—just 20 were built. This tribute was said to have been created to enable someone to experience what an L88 was really like, since the value of the real examples means most of us mere mortals will never get to drive one. Impressively, the engine used for this recreation is reported to be an actual over-the-counter L88 crate assembly, freshened for this build and deviating from stock only with an updated carburetor (though the correct L88 carb is also included). All other elements of this Corvette, which is also listed as being a factory Marina Blue 427 car, are said to be correct for an L88. As a result, this one has all the visual allure and mechanical aura of a car many of us have dreamed of possessing, for what should be a more feasible buy in. 

This 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Convertible L88 Tribute “received a full restoration under previous ownership with great lengths taken to accurately convert the standard 427 car to L88 427 specs,” according to the seller, who is representing the vehicle on consignment. “It was started circa 2000 and finished in the early teens.” A crate L88 427 engine was sourced for the project. “The previous owner performed the restoration and retained the vehicle until selling it to my client in February of 2023,” the seller continues.

“As is true with the original L88 Sting Rays, this example is sans A/C, power steering, PCV system, radio, and power windows, etc.,” he explains. “It’s also important to bear in mind, this 427 powerplant is a 12.5:1 compression ratio beast that does need 103+ octane to operate safely. While it was rated at 430 horsepower from the factory, that rating was a tongue-in-cheek answer to GM’s desire to only sell the L88 to those in-the-know, or more appropriately in the racing community. The engine was quite expensive for its time, and it was well known that the actual power output well exceeded the factory rating and actually varied between 550-600 horsepower. The strategy worked in that only 20 actual L88 Corvette’s left the factory in 1967. However, the engine could also be bought over-the-counter in crate form, which is how this specific L88 and car were wed.” 

“The L88’s Holley carburetor has been swapped in favor of a more streetable, modern 850-cfm Holley with an electric choke,” the seller says. (The original unit has been retained and goes with the sale, as well). “Overall drivability is excellent, as the car is very well sorted, in general. The V8 idles at approximately 750 rpm with no surging or idle hunt, and the cadence of the firing indicates the presence of the appropriate cam profile and top-end components.” 

“Power delivers smoothly and violently (as it should),” the seller comments. “And the engine is free of smoke at both cold and warm startup, as well as under acceleration. The clutch engages and the gearbox shifts properly, the Positraction rear end is quiet, and, as a whole, the drivetrain is tight and free of slop. This L88 tribute is truly a remarkable example that can be had for not only a fraction of the cost of a true L88,” he concludes.

• Per the body data plate, this Sting Ray Convertible was built in St. Louis on April 28, 1967.
• It’s reportedly the 7,641st body of the ’67 model year.
• The seller notes it’s among the final 18 of April ’67 production.
• He doesn’t know if the mileage is correct to the chassis.
• He notes the lack of wear on the 1990s-date-coded tires as a sign the car hasn’t been driven much.
• The rebuilt L88, 427-cu.in. OHV V8 is date-coded C 31 7—March 31, 1.
• A Winters Foundry snowflake logo is on the aluminum L88 heads.
• A Holley 850-cfm, dual-feed carburetor with an electric choke is currently installed.
• RPO code-K66 transistorized ignition provides the spark.
• The byproducts of the internal combustion process exit through side exhaust.
• An off-the-shelf replacement Muncie M22 four-speed heavy-duty gearbox, was installed.
• Transmission case casting No. 3-1970 Muncie four-speeds.
• A 3.70:1-geared G80 Positraction rear-end assembly was installed.
• Code-976 for Marina Blue paint is on the body data plate.
• That hue was retained when the car was repainted.
• The finish is mostly blemish free, per the seller.
• A black hood stinger and 427 badging are also on the car.
• The fiberglass body “shows extremely well without sign of collision repair or degradation,” he says.
• “All of the chrome is still bright.”
• “The exhaust tubing, finishers, and heat shields are free of discoloration.”
• “The power headlamps operate in-sync and on time,” he says.
• Code-414 denotes Bright Blue vinyl interior.
• An L88-specific radio-and-HVAC-delete dashboard was swapped in, the seller notes.
• All lighting and accessories are operational, he points out.
• The gauges are accurate with the exception of the odometer that reads 41,742, he discloses.
• This car is said to have been in California since the early 2000s.
• As a result, the restored undercarriage “still exhibits no sign of weather exposure,” he adds.
• The chassis features F41 Performance Suspension.
• Stopping is courtesy of J50 power-ventilated disc brakes with J56 heavy-duty calipers.
• The ’67-specific Rally wheels roll on 1990s-dated tires.
• These still look good but should be replaced if the car is to be driven.

• A black vinyl-covered hardtop is included in the sale, and there’s no soft top, the seller says.
• The L88 Holley model No. R-3418 carburetor will be provided in a box.

• The oil pan and rear differential seal are weeping, but “nothing hits the floor,” the seller states.
• There is some chipping of the silver paint on the driver’s front Rally wheel (see photo).
• Minor chips are around the mount points for the hardtop.

• A date-coded 1967, L88 427 V8 crate engine was purchased, rebuilt, and installed. per the seller.
• Additional areas of the Corvette were also updated to L88 specs.
• This sportscar is said to have already had a 427 in it.
• It was meticulously restored several years ago.
• It has been preserved very well since then.

The seller states that he will provide a clean Montana title in the name of the consignor’s LLC. Of this 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible L88 Tribute, the seller notes, “This [L88 tribute] affords the opportunity to own and drive what is mechanically the same [as an original L88] without the worry, risk, or depreciation [associated with it].”