68 L-88

[Jeff Grice]

I have found a decent 68 l-88 car. However, the motor is now a base 427.

My question is can an L-88 motor be built and anyone have an idea what to budget for such an endevor?

Assuming the car is straight, does it even make sense to build the motor and stamp it to match the car; i.e. will I get my money out of it.

The car is $15,000.

Thanks.

Jeff 68 BB Convt 427/390 ncrs 30292

[Gene M.]

Re: 68 L-88

Jeff,

If you are looking at restoring this car without the original engine to make money, you are looking at a losing proposition.

[Gene M.]

Re: 68 L-88

Jeff,

If you are looking at restoring this car without the original engine to make money, you are looking at a losing proposition.

[Jeff GRice]

Re: 68 L-88

Gene, that was my original thought -- I wanted to get opionions from the experts.

Thanks.

Jeff I'll keep my 68 427!

[Jeff GRice]

Re: 68 L-88

Gene, that was my original thought -- I wanted to get opionions from the experts.

Thanks.

Jeff I'll keep my 68 427!

[Wayne M.]

Re: 68 L-88 Value

Jeff --- Here's another opinion on the value of the car you describe. You say it is decent and straight, and has a 427, to boot. Ask yourself, would $15000 be a fair price if it were NOT an L88, considering the condition and originality of the rest of the car. If the price is not grossly out-of-line, and if it turns out that it's real, the rest is all gravy.

With Corvettes, the value placed on an original motor is way out of balance with the rest of the automobile,(IMHO) and no where is this more evident than with the "phenomenon" of L88's. Let's face it, the majority of those restored L88's do NOT have their original blocks. Authentic and copious factory documentation, coupled with a complete owner history is worth more than an original engine without any provenance.

Don't let the fact that it doesn't have its original engine oblige you to immediately build a "new" motor. Take your time; there's plenty of L88 equivalent engines around; wait for a bargain. You could put $7000 into a motor (trade the base 427), another $10000 into other mechanics and cosmetics on the "decent and straight" purchase, and still have the cheapest L88 around. A bit more $ and you could aim for flight awards.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 68 L-88 Value

Jeff --- Here's another opinion on the value of the car you describe. You say it is decent and straight, and has a 427, to boot. Ask yourself, would $15000 be a fair price if it were NOT an L88, considering the condition and originality of the rest of the car. If the price is not grossly out-of-line, and if it turns out that it's real, the rest is all gravy.

With Corvettes, the value placed on an original motor is way out of balance with the rest of the automobile,(IMHO) and no where is this more evident than with the "phenomenon" of L88's. Let's face it, the majority of those restored L88's do NOT have their original blocks. Authentic and copious factory documentation, coupled with a complete owner history is worth more than an original engine without any provenance.

Don't let the fact that it doesn't have its original engine oblige you to immediately build a "new" motor. Take your time; there's plenty of L88 equivalent engines around; wait for a bargain. You could put $7000 into a motor (trade the base 427), another $10000 into other mechanics and cosmetics on the "decent and straight" purchase, and still have the cheapest L88 around. A bit more $ and you could aim for flight awards.

[Roberto L.]

Re: 68 L-88

Remember an article in Vette magazine on a 67 L88 which was sold in 500K (repeat 500K). The car was totally restored from a to z and had full documentation to prove it. Incredible, the car didn't had the original motor, they assembled a new one from original, GM parts... The key concept here seems to be documentation to prove the car is a legitime 68 L88, could be very valuable. All me best from Argentina where L88's exist only in photos. Saludos, Roberto NCRS #30019 RMC

[Roberto L.]

Re: 68 L-88

Remember an article in Vette magazine on a 67 L88 which was sold in 500K (repeat 500K). The car was totally restored from a to z and had full documentation to prove it. Incredible, the car didn't had the original motor, they assembled a new one from original, GM parts... The key concept here seems to be documentation to prove the car is a legitime 68 L88, could be very valuable. All me best from Argentina where L88's exist only in photos. Saludos, Roberto NCRS #30019 RMC

[Tom B.]

Re: 68 L-88

Jeff,

I'll have to agree more with Gene about this. I think at BEST you'll come close to break even.

If the car now is worth $15,000 and your able to do what Wayne says for the engine, put in $7000, at that point you'll probably get $22,000 out of it. I think you'll put in at least another $20,000 to get it into Flight condition. You'll have at least $42,000 in it, which I think will be your "ballpark" for what you'll get out.

Right now, my "observation" has been that original 68-69 L88's WITH documentation are selling for $100,000 to $125,000. Most prices for any Corvette without the original engine I've "observed" to be about 1/2.

Your "L88" is going to come under the same "scrutiny" that all others have. I think you'll spend alot of time waiting or trying to find the buyer that will pay more than what you have in it at any stage. If you're considering the off-chance that someone will pay $100,000 to $125,000 for it, then I think you might want to also consider the ensuing problems you will have after you sell it. Even offering it at a "bargain" for say, $60,000, to me is still inviting trouble.

Just another opinion. Best wishes. Tom #24014

[Tom B.]

Re: 68 L-88

Jeff,

I'll have to agree more with Gene about this. I think at BEST you'll come close to break even.

If the car now is worth $15,000 and your able to do what Wayne says for the engine, put in $7000, at that point you'll probably get $22,000 out of it. I think you'll put in at least another $20,000 to get it into Flight condition. You'll have at least $42,000 in it, which I think will be your "ballpark" for what you'll get out.

Right now, my "observation" has been that original 68-69 L88's WITH documentation are selling for $100,000 to $125,000. Most prices for any Corvette without the original engine I've "observed" to be about 1/2.

Your "L88" is going to come under the same "scrutiny" that all others have. I think you'll spend alot of time waiting or trying to find the buyer that will pay more than what you have in it at any stage. If you're considering the off-chance that someone will pay $100,000 to $125,000 for it, then I think you might want to also consider the ensuing problems you will have after you sell it. Even offering it at a "bargain" for say, $60,000, to me is still inviting trouble.

Just another opinion. Best wishes. Tom #24014

[Patrick H.]

Re: 68 L-88: How do you know it is?

Jeff,

I do have one question: How do you "know " that it is an L-88? Any L-88 anymore, even with an "original" block, needs to have reams of paperwork to actually get the big dollar, due to the number of fakes out there. For example, look at what Pro Team (personal opinions aside) charges for documented vs non-documented cars; about $30,000 different. And that's with "original" engines!

The money may actually be easier to make if you sell it as a documented car, and let someone willing to spend the restoration dollars fix it up. Then THEY can decide whether to find the original motor (if it exists) or to restamp.

Good luck.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: 68 L-88: How do you know it is?

Jeff,

I do have one question: How do you "know " that it is an L-88? Any L-88 anymore, even with an "original" block, needs to have reams of paperwork to actually get the big dollar, due to the number of fakes out there. For example, look at what Pro Team (personal opinions aside) charges for documented vs non-documented cars; about $30,000 different. And that's with "original" engines!

The money may actually be easier to make if you sell it as a documented car, and let someone willing to spend the restoration dollars fix it up. Then THEY can decide whether to find the original motor (if it exists) or to restamp.

Good luck.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

67 L-88 update

Roberto,

Just got back from Bloomington, where this same car came up for auction. First bid was $350,000 and the second was $375,000. That's all, and the owner wanted $500,000.

As far as I could tell, this car was documented ONLY with the tank sticker.

Also, remember that VERY rare cars like 67 L-88's have a life of their own...

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

67 L-88 update

Roberto,

Just got back from Bloomington, where this same car came up for auction. First bid was $350,000 and the second was $375,000. That's all, and the owner wanted $500,000.

As far as I could tell, this car was documented ONLY with the tank sticker.

Also, remember that VERY rare cars like 67 L-88's have a life of their own...

Patrick