First 1967 L88 and Last 1969 L88 Corvettes to be Offered as a Pair at Mecum Kissimmee

Legendary racecar driver Ricky Bobby once said, “If you’re not first, you’re last.” However, if you’re the high bidder on Lot U78 at Mecum Kissimmee next month, you could indeed be both first and last with the very first and the very last L88 Corvettes built. The monumental duo is being offered as a single lot out of Rick Treworgy’s Muscle Car City Collection next month at Mecum’s monster Kissimmee auction.

The L88 Corvette was built for 3 years, 1967, 1968, and 1969. Just 20 units were built in 1967 which were followed by 80 cars in 1968, and 116 in 1969. In total, that’s just 216 total production L88’s ever made. L88’s are the King Kong of the Corvette world. Collectors come running with open checkbooks whenever one hits the market today. Collectors also clamor for the first and last of something. Think Rick Hendrick and his VIN 001 collection. Now, combine the most desirable Corvette option of all time with the first and last built of said option, and you’ve got an unprecedented opportunity to score 2 of the most sought-after Corvettes on the planet in one swoop.

The triple black 1967 Convertible is the very first production L88 produced and is the only L88 Convertible wearing Tuxedo Black paint. It was raced extensively by Tony DeLorenzo and Jerry Thompson in 1967 and finished 2nd in the 1967 Daytona Beach SCCA Runoffs. Today the car has been returned to its as-delivered livery. It’s the recipient of many notable awards including Bloomington Gold Certification, multiple NCRS Top Flights, plus MCACN Concourse Gold and Triple Diamond. Additionally, it earned a NCRS American Heritage award in 2013.

This C2 is very well known throughout the Corvette community. The sale includes the Protect-O-Plate, a 1968 title, a letter of testimony from Tony DeLorenzo himself, and an Al Grenning CCAS affirmation.

The Fathom Green over Saddle leather 1969 Coupe was assembled on the final day of production, December 4, 1969. It is the last documented L88 produced. It received a body-off restoration by Tim Thorpe and remains in near new condition today. Under the hood you’ll still find its matching numbers 430hp (wink, wink) engine topped with aluminum heads and intake manifold. This rare C3 earned a NCRS Top Flight award in 2013.

The car is documented with its original tank sticker, ownership history, NCRS award and judging sheets, in addition to a title search all the way back to the original owner.

So, what will this dynamic duo cost us? Let’s start the speculation with the most recent sales of these significant cars. The 1967 L88 most recently sold at Kissimmee in 2021 for $2,499,999. That’s pretty much in line with what we’ve seen from other 1967 L88 sales over the last several years. That sale followed a couple no sales at $1.8M and $1.9M respectively in preceding years.

The last public offering of the 1969 L88 we could locate was at Mecum Kissimmee in 2017 where it was a no sale. Mecum doesn’t list a high bid there, but we all know it was comfortably into 6-figures. The car has toured the major auctions of over the last decade. It passed through Barrett-Jackson in 2006 and 2017 where it sold for $242k and $280k respectively. At Mecum Indy in 2012 it bid to $235k no sale before showing up a year later in Dallas where it bid to a $430k no sale. Based on these numbers and other more recent L88 sales, let’s assume this one, minimally, comes in north of $500k. Now, add that to the $2.5M from the last sale of the first L88 and you’ve got a pair ultra rare Corvettes that’ll probably cost $3M or so to park in your garage.

Tune in Sunday, January 14th to see just how high the bidding goes.

What’s your guess on the final bid for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Let us know in the Comments section below.

Mecum’s 2024 Kissimmee mega-auction runs from January 2nd – 14th at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida. They recently topped the 4,000 consignment mark and continue to add cars daily. Keep an eye before and after the auction for all the latest from Kissimmee. Mecum offers options for in-person, telephone and internet bidding starting at $100, and you can register to bid at Mecum.com.

Source:
Mecum Auctions

Related:
Mecum Kissimmee to Sell a Collection of 1963 Split Window Coupes in All Seven Colors
[VIDEO] Red/Red 1967 L88 Coupe Headed to 2024 Mecum Kissimmee Auction
[PODCAST] CORVETTE TODAY #188 – Mecum Kissimmee 2024 Preview

Subscribe Now: