L88 Prototype (1966 Corvette) To Be In Mecum 2022 Kissimmee Auction

[Larry E.]

Known inside Chevrolet as the “Pedro Rodriguez L88,” this 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe was purpose-built by the Chevrolet Engineering Center for Luigi Chinetti’s North American Racing Team as a field test car to assess the durability of aluminum cylinder heads for the 427 CI V-8 and other related racing components in the March 1966 Sebring 12 Hours of Endurance race.
One of the “Four Kings,” heavy-duty 1966 Corvette factory race cars, it is the first known Corvette factory-prepared for Chinetti’s NART team, the first built with shoulder harnesses (introduced as an option for 1966) and the second to be fitted with a special cowl-induction fresh air hood that would soon become a signature feature of Chevrolet race cars. In addition, Chevrolet Engineering performed several structural changes in service to both weight savings and chassis rigidity, and also installed a “dyno-seasoned” prototype L88-spec 427. Lot R653

[James G.]

Re: L88 Prototype (1966 Corvette) To Be In Mecum 2022 Kissimmee Auction

I know the car well. Appeared at BLOOMINGTON GOLD 2016 , 50 YEAR Collection. Also AMELIA ISLAND in 2019.




After Sebring, Don Yenko sold the car to Yenko team mate Harold Whims.

A race car for its entire existence, this car has VERY EXTENSIVE OWNER HISTORY and has raced at numerous tracks including VIR, Daytona Talladega,Charlotte Motor Speedway, Road Atlanta, Marlboro, Huntsville, Cumberland and Summit Point.

[Larry E.]

Re: L88 Prototype (1966 Corvette) To Be In Mecum 2022 Kissimmee Auction

Would like to see how that Engine Pad Stamp looks like as there where codes devoted to L88 Engines
in 1966. Would not be an IK as that was for L72-M22 Engines in which two(2) where made at Tonawanda Facility
per Al Grenning's seminar's>Larry P.S. IIRC there where 20 "experimental Big Blocks" made also; perhaps
this is one of them?

[Michael J.]

Re: L88 Prototype (1966 Corvette) To Be In Mecum 2022 Kissimmee Auction

Wow! And a tanker too!

[Leif A.]

Re: L88 Prototype (1966 Corvette) To Be In Mecum 2022 Kissimmee Auction

Wow! And a tanker too!

You need it for the collection, Michael

[Michael J.]

Re: L88 Prototype (1966 Corvette) To Be In Mecum 2022 Kissimmee Auction

If it weren't so heavily modified and messed with, it would be good, but not for me.

[Mark L.]

Re: L88 Prototype (1966 Corvette) To Be In Mecum 2022 Kissimmee Auction

Does anyone know the vin?

[Don H.]

Re: L88 Prototype (1966 Corvette) To Be In Mecum 2022 Kissimmee Auction

From the auction ad

ncrs-shipping-data-report_866657.jpg

[Tim G.]

Re: L88 Prototype (1966 Corvette) To Be In Mecum 2022 Kissimmee Auction

It sure is a pretty car, it was in Chicago last weekend.

[Larry E.]

[Bill M.]

Re: L88 Prototype (1966 Corvette) To Be In Mecum 2022 Kissimmee Auction

Larry I agree terrible coverage. I thought there was something wrong with my station. I was waiting to see more on that car. I also did not see the last 63 coupe ( which a friend of mine wore on ) I wanted to see if the sacked out tail lights were moved. Did anyone see it ? Also I thought the SS was supposed to be auctioned I did not see it ?

[Michael J.]

Re: L88 Prototype (1966 Corvette) To Be In Mecum 2022 Kissimmee Auction

It was pretty bad coverage on the Corvettes, and the '57 Super Sport prototype wasn't even shown, but maybe they pulled the car out of the auction?

[Tim G.]

Re: L88 Prototype (1966 Corvette) To Be In Mecum 2022 Kissimmee Auction

I was there, the tale lights on the '63 were corrected.

[Mark D.]

Re: L88 Prototype (1966 Corvette) To Be In Mecum 2022 Kissimmee Auction

...losing interest in Mecum and if I owned this car I would never bring it again to Mecum. Again JMHO

Is it possible that Mecum owns the car?

[Bill M.]

Re: L88 Prototype (1966 Corvette) To Be In Mecum 2022 Kissimmee Auction

Thanks Tim I thought they would be. The auction format is definitely different than Barrett. I expected to see the high dollar cars on Friday and Saturday. Seems they were all over the place