One of the super rare kinds of Corvette C3s

Rare ONES - Still reviewing the Corvette, one of American muscle cars like many we've discussed before. Well, in this occasion, we would like to talk about the Corvette C3 L88 was no less famous than previous ones. This model is known as the last generation of Corvettes developed under the leadership of Zora Arkus-Duntov as Chevrolet's Chief Engineer and one of the rarest of its kinds as well.

The Chevrolet Corvette L88 coupe began as a limited-edition package on the C2 spearheaded by the Father of the Corvette, Zora Arkus-Duntov. (Picture from: TopCarRating)

As quoted of the Mecum, this model is built based on the Mako Shark II Concept designs (no wonder they both have a similar shape), and includes into the Corvette C3 family that produced in between 1968 to 1982. The car features its iconic and unforgettable styles of the 1960s era, coupled with the outstanding performance of its V8 engine, so it's undeniable if the Corvette C3 was one of the most desirable sports cars of all time.

1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 coupe dubbed as “The Camouflaged Soldier”, is a very rare, unrestored example which had once auctioned by Mecum Auctions in Seattle back in the 2015. (Picture from: Mecum)

As we all knew, the Corvette C3 has several engine options ranging from the 7.4-liter LS5, LS6 and LS4, of course any die-hard C3 fan will agree that the 7.0-liter L88 427 cubic-inch engine is top-notch. The L88 began as a limited-edition package on the C2 spearheaded by the Father of the Corvette, Zora Arkus-Duntov. Officially, the L88 produced 435 horsepower from the factory. 

The Chevrolet Corvette L88 coupe were produced from 1967 to 1969 and during the transition from the C2 Stingray to the C3 body style. (Picture from: TopCarRating)

But in real life, the car produced somewhere between 540 and 580 horses, good enough for 11-second quarter-mile times and even while raced at Le Mans, Dick Guldstrand had took the car to set a new record speed on the Mulsanne straight at 171.5 miles per hour. When the C3 hit the market in 1968, the L88 package remained on offer with only 116 were ever built for the 1969 model year, of 216 total over three years (1967 to 1969), though it now produced a claimed 430 horsepower, placing it below the L71 and L89 packages despite its clear superiority. 

The heart of the L88 package came in the form of a 427 ci V8 that was built using forged internals, solid lifters, aluminum cylinder heads, and an uprated camshaft. (Picture from: TopCarRating)

The automaker provides the Corvette C3 L88 with a variety of standard features such as Soft Ray tinted glass, leather interior, front fender grille, telescopic tilt steering wheel to an alarm system. Alarm? Yep, the alarm system turned out to have been applied by Chevrolet exclusively in the 1960s on several Corvette models.

The Chevrolet Corvette L88 coupe produced somewhere between 540 and 580 horses, good enough for 11-second quarter-mile times. (Picture from: TopCarRating)

However, nowadays finding a Corvette C3 powered by an L88 engine in a neat and original condition turned out to be quite difficult, at least until this Corvette C3 L88 dubbed 'The Camouflaged Soldier' was found. This 1969 Chevrolet Corvette C3 L88 coupe is also equipped with specifications beyond the factory's original features like a faint black racing line that runs from the tip of the hood.

This Fathom Green colored Corvette is not only a small piece of American automotive history, it is also a rare masterpiece as this rare C3 L88 had once auctioned by Mecum Auctions in Seattle back in the 2015. Regardless of whoever the current owner who is managed to get it at the auction that would surely make his car collections even more glamorous. Well, how much its current price? Is it true if someone says the price is around seven digits? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MECUM | HOTCARS | CARSCOOPS | HAGERTY ] 

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