Real-deal L89 (L71 427/435 with aluminum heads) with tank sticker. 48,000 original miles, one of only 624 built. Rebuilt to factory specs, nicely detailed, beautiful paint, mostly original interior. Runs and drives very well.
Silverstone Silver was a surprisingly popular color for the all-new 1968 Stingray (now one word) and it’s easy to understand why when you see this very pretty coupe. It’s purposeful and no-nonsense, which is perfect for the L89 powerplant living inside, yet retains the kind of European elegance that Chevy designers were aiming for when they built it. This car was repainted a few years ago and still looks fantastic with very little use since it was completed. The two-stage urethane used today is far better than the original enamel, but it isn’t necessarily over-restored, either. Gaps are pretty much the way the factory did it and it retains all the unique 1968 features, including the door handles with pushbutton latches. Obviously the important stuff such as the ‘427’ emblems on the vented hood, the beautiful chrome bumpers, and the taillights with separate back-up lights are all correct and in fantastic shape.
The black standard interior strongly suggests that this Corvette has been loved all its life. Those are original seat covers and they’re in fantastic condition for being more than 50 years old. The carpets are simply too nice to be anything but new replacements, while the door panels, dash pad, and arm rest appear to be factory-issue. The gauges are all fully operational, as are the fiber-optic bulb indicators on the center console, one of GM’s better ideas that really adds to the cool factor inside this ‘Vette. It carries its original Delco AM/FM radio with unique knobs and that big chrome shifter remains one of the very best ways to have fun in an old car. It’s also equipped with a telescoping steering column topped by a wood-rimmed wheel that warms up the otherwise all-black passenger compartment, and the lift-off T-top panels and removable rear window make this coupe feel as open as a convertible.
The engine is a CE-coded warranty replacement 427 block (casting no. 3963512) that was probably installed in 1970 or so. CE blocks are desirable because they are factory-built and issued, and they did require corporate approval, meaning that it was a legitimate warranty claim honored by the factory. It’s topped with correct L89 aluminum heads and three Holley 2-barrel carbs. Chevy didn’t change the horsepower rating of the L71 with aluminum heads, but since they were playing games with the numbers anyway, it’s all academic. The engine certainly feels like it could accelerate forever yet is perfectly content to trundle around town using only the center carb. It has also been recently detailed with correct Chevy Orange paint, reproduction tower hose clamps, proper decals, ignition shields, and more. Whenever possible, assembly markings were duplicated and again, it wasn’t over-restored so you still have natural cast iron on the exhaust manifolds and brake booster. The lone deviation from stock is the addition of an MSD ignition box discreetly tucked under the fender, replacing the original transistor ignition system. This one runs like it should.
It still carries its original, numbers-matching Muncie M21 close-ratio 4-speed manual gearbox which feeds 4.11 gears on a Posi rear axle. Yeah, there’s no misunderstanding what this car is all about. It’s impossible to stall and around town it feels like a weapon that could slay any giant. It isn’t designed to travel cross-country, but you’ll quickly find a lot of opportunities to explore the limits of the rear tires’ traction. The off-road “chambered” exhaust system sounds spectacular and someone has added a composite leaf spring in back to improve ride quality and shed some unsprung weight. You’ll note that all the lines and hoses are new, the brakes have been rebuilt and the important areas of the frame ahead of the rear wheels are in excellent condition. It sits on correct Rally wheels and right-sized 225/70/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials.
The car includes its original tank sticker showing that this is a genuine L89.
The early Stingrays have reputations for being crude, brutal beasts, but driving this spectacular L89 proves that when they’re right, they’re just a joy to own. This one has no bad habits, no fussy manners, and just loves to run through the gears. That’s what Corvettes are all about, right? Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
