1968 L-71 or L-88 ?

[Michael H.]

I just purchased an all original 11,000 mile 1968 L-71 from the original owner. So here is the first of many questions.
The original owner was having trouble keeping the the tri-power in tune, said it would run great for a few weeks and then it was back to the dealer . After several trips back over two years he told them that he didn't want it back until it was right. He had purchased a lot of performance cars from this dealer and they didn't want to lose a good customer, so to make a long story short, the told him they would install an L-88 intake and Carburetor in exchange for the tri-power but he would have to pay for the hood. He agreed and this is the way the car is today. My question is should I leave it in the 1970 form that it is in or should I find and install a correct tri-power set up and hood? In your opinion which form would add the most value to the car?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 L-71 or L-88 ?

I just purchased an all original 11,000 mile 1968 L-71 from the original owner. So here is the first of many questions.
The original owner was having trouble keeping the the tri-power in tune, said it would run great for a few weeks and then it was back to the dealer . After several trips back over two years he told them that he didn't want it back until it was right. He had purchased a lot of performance cars from this dealer and they didn't want to lose a good customer, so to make a long story short, the told him they would install an L-88 intake and Carburetor in exchange for the tri-power but he would have to pay for the hood. He agreed and this is the way the car is today. My question is should I leave it in the 1970 form that it is in or should I find and install a correct tri-power set up and hood? In your opinion which form would add the most value to the car?

Michael------


Restoring it to original L-71 configuration will produce the best value for the car. It's not going to fool anyone but a real neophyte that it's a real L-88.

[Chuck M.]

Re: 1968 L-71 or L-88 ?

Michael,
I suppose it all depends on what you want to accomplish with the car. Are you wanting a Top Flight/Bow tie calibre Corvette or something nice that you can drive? If the car is well preserved and with 11,000 it sounds like it could be, you might take Joe's advice and put the car back to it original configuration. At the end of the day do what makes you happy as its your car and that's what really matters. If you decide to put the tri-power back on do us all a favor and bring that car out for other to enjoy, they are only original once.

Chuck

[Michael H.]

Re: 1968 L-71 or L-88 ?

Michael,
I suppose it all depends on what you want to accomplish with the car. Are you wanting a Top Flight/Bow tie calibre Corvette or something nice that you can drive? If the car is well preserved and with 11,000 it sounds like it could be, you might take Joe's advice and put the car back to it original configuration. At the end of the day do what makes you happy as its your car and that's what really matters. If you decide to put the tri-power back on do us all a favor and bring that car out for other to enjoy, they are only original once.

Chuck

This would bring me to another question, do I want to drive it or? This would mean changing original hoses and belts...I did have the original calipers rebuilt. Guess I have some thinking to do. I appreciate all feedback.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1968 L-71 or L-88 ?

I'd leave it completely - completely - as it is, and have it judged.

The hood, carb and intake will count against you in Bowtie whether you leave it in 1970 form or return it to where it started. So, have it evaluated now and then decide what direction you want to go. If it looks like it wouldn't make Bowtie, for example, then go ahead and have it in any configuration you want.

They're only original once, and we sure could use some nice original 1968s as examples for the soon-to-be-revised Judging Guide.

Patrick

[Leif A.]

Re: 1968 L-71 or L-88 ?

Tri power setups can be tricky to tune correctly but I think this cars bigger problem was that it just wasn't driven ENOUGH. Michael, it sounds like you've bought a real treasure...do yourself and, especially, the car a favor and get it in good, safe driveable condition and then drive the wheels off it. Poor thing is 48 years old with only 11k miles on it...Turn her lose!!!

[Rich G.]

Re: 1968 L-71 or L-88 ?

My 68 L71 had 30K on it when it was parked in 1973. It now has 39K as it had a body on restoration around 1990. After a proper carb overhaul the car runs like a watch. I don't know what it means to tune a tri power set up. The center carb does all the work. The other two are just along for the ride. They only open at WOT above 3500-4000 RPM. I guess they could screw things up if they are leaking when they are supposed to be closed, but that's true of any secondary.

I agree with the above post. It's your car. If you like the way it runs, keep it the way it is and drive it. But if you do put it back to an L71 you should know it can be made to run nicely in that configuration too.

Rich

[Michael J.]

Re: 1968 L-71 or L-88 ?

L-88s are really cool cars........

[Michael F.]

Re: 1968 L-71 or L-88 ?

funny, the 435 cars I have had including the one I now own never had the problems people talk about. also converted 70 454/390 to tri power off 69 400 hp and never had problem, owned that one in 1973 while in college
67 435 coupe 70-71
67 435 convert 84-present

[Mike K.]

Re: 1968 L-71 or L-88 ?

As a '68 owner, I tend to agree with Patrick. Have it looked over at a Chapter Meet - then review the judging sheets
before you make your decision on next steps.
68's utilized a lot of one year only parts that believe me are sometimes very hard to find - especially with the proper
date code.

[Jim L.]

Re: 1968 L-71 or L-88 ?

If that were my car I would leave it exactly as it is with the L88 hardware intact. Remove the L88 stuff and you've erased some of the car's history and taken away some of its personality..... sins to be avoided, as far as I'm concerned.

[Rick A.]

Re: 1968 L-71 or L-88 ?

agree with mr lockwood

[Bob J.]

Re: 1968 L-71 or L-88 ?

agree with mr lockwood

agree with Ricky

[Patrick N.]

Re: 1968 L-71 or L-88 ?

kind of a cool story for this car, getting some L-88 goodies added by the dealer. Are you able to back the story with the dealer documentation? I think if I had the proof, I'd keep it the way it is. Like Jim and others have said, that is a cool history for this car and should at least be judged as is.

Pics?

[Jack H.]

Re: 1968 L-71 or L-88 ?

Just to offer another perspective, I'd be inclined to do both.

I'd keep the L88 configuration as is, but also try to accumulate as-built components, especially if I could get them at reasonable prices...that's probably unlikely, but you got time to be picky and frugal since you're not changing it anyway.

That way you have the best of both worlds. You've got something really cool with a great story, and you've got as-built components on hand in case you change your mind and/or for resale if buyer wants to put it back to original.

Of course I could never justify that financially, but its fun to be able to dream, right?