This Unique 1967 Corvette L88 Is The US Legend You Can’t Drive

Among collectors and followers of car history there are always specific cars that become the unicorns of their time. Individual cars that, because of ownership history, competition pedigree or a unique spec combination, stand had and shoulders above the rest. This is one of those cars, and it wants a new owner.

This stunning 1967 Chevrolet Corvette is one of 216 fitted with the legendary 560bhp competition-spec 427 V8 known as the L88. It’s also one of just 20 1967 Corvettes to gain the engine and the only L88 car ever built in Sunfire Yellow. All this is certified by the relevant historical authorities in the US, including the NCRS Historic Document Service.

Originally bought and drag-raced by a young, California-based US navy man called Robert E Baker after he read a positive review in Hot Rod magazine, it spent its life being towed between strips and running quarter-mile times in the 11-second range. In the late 1960s. He retired it in the early 1970s and stored it for about 15 years.

One Steve Hendrickson of Long Lake, Minnesota, bought it and spent 10 years restoring it, only using the original components where possible, including the L88 engine, M22 transmission, brakes suspension and trim. The rest came as restored original parts or ‘new’ stock built to period specification, with new bodywork, which was presumably beyond saving, coming from another 1967 Corvette.

Very few L88s actually retain that block, according to auctioneers Mecum Auctions, let alone the authentic documentation, concours condition and fuel tank sticker that help make this one so special.

It has been part of a collection since 1999, on a historic title. That means it can’t legally be driven on the road, and while a new title could be sourced in the buyer’s name, it could punch a big hole in the car’s value. Either way, it doesn’t get much lovelier.

The Mecum auction, of which this is one of the principal highlights, is taking place at Indiana’s Indiana State Fairgrounds over 15-19 May. It’s the same sale as that featuring the Sebastian Vettel-signed Ferrari F12tdf…