James Garner's L88s

[Gregory M.]

Re: James Garner's L88s

All three Garner cars have been found and are either restored or under restoration...Dave Herrlinger, Jim's brother, owned the other racer and was restoring it...The last car, which was never really raced but was a backup car, is under restoration in Southern California.

THAT IS AMAZING...I WOULD LOVE TO READ THE STORY OF HOW THEY WERE TRACKED DOWN...

Bob Wingate was the person that got these cars ordered and delivered for Jim Garner.

WHY GARNER? WHAT WAS HIS CONNECTION TO CORVETTES AND/OR RACING? I WOULD ASSUME HE FINANCED THE TEAM...

He was one of the top sales people in the country for Corvette and high performance Chevrolets and personanally knew Joe Pike and others at the factory and in Michigan. He worked for Clippinger Chevrolet at the time, but these cars came thru Security Chevrolet if I remember right. I have to ask Bob how that happened.

I DID NOT KNOW BOB WAS SILL AROUND! HE SHOULD WRITE HIS MEMOIRS...

GM

[Roberto L.]

Re: James Garner's L88s

James Garner was a car fan. Regarding his carrer I remember him in the movie Grand Prix, racing for a fictional japanese manufacturer (probably Honda was implied in the movie, not sure).

Best regards

[Charles R.]

Re: James Garner's L88s

FYI - Jim still owns the Guldstrand /Leslie L88 and his brother Dave is still in the process of restoring the second. Jim had owned the Guldstrand L88 in the early 70's and raced it in SCCA A-Production as the Coco-Cola corvette. He spent over a year tracking it down and finally found it in the mid-west. Dave restored Jim's L88 and is now slowly restoring the second. I understand that the third was the "Press" car and never raced. They are awsome cars to drive! (I crew for Jim at Monterey and have driven his L88! Bring your ear-plugs and hearing protection!)

[James G.]

Re: James Garner's L88s

FYI - Jim still owns the Guldstrand /Leslie L88 and his brother Dave is still in the process of restoring the second. Jim had owned the Guldstrand L88 in the early 70's and raced it in SCCA A-Production as the Coco-Cola corvette. He spent over a year tracking it down and finally found it in the mid-west. Dave restored Jim's L88 and is now slowly restoring the second. I understand that the third was the "Press" car and never raced. They are awsome cars to drive! (I crew for Jim at Monterey and have driven his L88! Bring your ear-plugs and hearing protection!)

Charles,
Would Jim like to send his car to BLOOMINGTON GOLD this June 26-29 ? They are featuring L-88 CORVETTES. It would be a very interesting weekend for you and Jim.

Guldstrand will be there as well. P/M me if you have interest.
Thanks,
JIM

[Peter G.]

Re: James Garner's L88s

I have more information on the James Garner American International Racing (AIR) L-88 Corvettes in my new book. It was unfortunate that they only competed in one race: the 1968 24 Hours of Daytona. The L-88s were better sorted out a few weeks later with the help of a new rear axle oil cooler and better tolerances in the differentials.

As I read through the threads here, I recognized a lot of names of new L-88 book owners!
Just thought I'd pass along the info.

Pete
www.corvetteracinglegends.com

[Clem Z.]

Re: James Garner's L88s

james garner also raced in several baja 1000s and baja 500s off road races in the 70s not in L-88s of course.

[Lawrence G.]

Re: James Garner's L88s

A great look back at Corvette racing history

[Jamie F.]

Re: James Garner's L88s

I really like Bob's "Fire Breathing" L89 Street car in the photo! That center stripe really looks good with the light color, and I normally don't like stripes on a Vette. I wonder if that car is white or yellow?

[Tom M.]

Re: James Garner's L88s

If you have not seen this yet you are in for a treat...

http://www.airl88.com/

Enjoy.

GM

car # 44
http://www.vettemarket.com/gallery/slideshows car

[Jaime G.]

Re: James Garner's L88s

Neat piece. Bob Wingate is still around. Jim Gessner and I had lunch
with him about a year ago. We needed his help in determining some history for my 62 big tank big brake fi car. It came from Covina Ca. and maybe was a Clippinger car. He did not know the car but definitely has the stories.

[Tom M.]

Re: James Garner's L88s

If you have not seen this yet you are in for a treat...

http://www.airl88.com/

Enjoy.

GM

Merry Christmas to all my L88 Brothers