Duntov's 1968 L-88 test cars

[Thomas P.]

Hello I would appreciate any information or pictures that anyone might have of the specially prepared L-88's that were utilized for testing and later were supposed to be made available to the press. Also,any information about a project code-named"40" associated with these cars.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Duntov's 1968 L-88 test cars

Hello I would appreciate any information or pictures that anyone might have of the specially prepared L-88's that were utilized for testing and later were supposed to be made available to the press. Also,any information about a project code-named"40" associated with these cars.

Thomas -- would you be referring to a July 1969 issue of Car Life, "Wildest Corvette Test Yet", where Duntov shows up with a ZL1 hardtop with flares ? They tested 5 versions of production 427's [L36 thru L88] and 3 of the small block (including the LT1 that wasn't on the order form, but the spec's were known, so the magazine built one from OTC parts )

[Joe L.]

Re: Duntov's 1968 L-88 test cars

Thomas -- would you be referring to a July 1969 issue of Car Life, "Wildest Corvette Test Yet", where Duntov shows up with a ZL1 hardtop with flares ? They tested 5 versions of production 427's [L36 thru L88] and 3 of the small block (including the LT1 that wasn't on the order form, but the spec's were known, so the magazine built one from OTC parts )

Wayne-----


This is the edition of Car Life you speak of. It was not actually the magazine that built-up the LT-1. It was Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina, CA that did it for a customer that had his heart set on a 1969 LT-1.

The other page I have scanned is the actual page from this edition that I used to "check off" the options I was going to order on my 1969 Corvette. You will note that there is a check-mark next to the coupe version of the car. That's what I really wanted to order but, at the last minute, I decided to order a hard top-only convertible to save about 300 bucks. I regretted that decision for many years but about the mid 80's when I finally installed a soft top on the car, I decided that it had to be "the absolute best mistake I ever made".

By the way, this issue also featured a test of a Boss 429 Mustang. This was one of the most interesting of all the "muscle cars". There were not too many of these made and the engine is extremely rare. It's close to the top of my list of "The 10 Best Looking Engines Ever Made".

[Thomas P.]

Re: Duntov's 1968 L-88 test cars

Wayne----

Thanks for the reply.However,the car(s?) I'm refering to were supposedly constructed sometime between the fall of 1967 and early 1968. There may have been one or two.The original expressed intention was as a test platform to evaluate the L-88 option's performance in the new body. Also, after the testing and evaluaton were completed, these "stock" L-88's were to be offered up as press cars.

[John D.]

Re: Duntov's 1968 L-88 test cars

thomas,

I'm more of a C2 guy but does it have anything to do with these cars ?

http://www.airl88.com/

[Thomas P.]

Re: Duntov's 1968 L-88 test cars

John


Thanks for the reply,but I don't believe these cars(or car) were involved with James Garner's A.I.R racing effort.It's likely that any information gained in testing was shared with Garner's team,but the cars apparently remained with Duntov.I have heard that an early (198) International Blue convertible(which is what one of these test cars supposedly was) was the basis for the Astro Vette concept car .However ,unlike the test car which was an L-88, I don't know if the Astro Vette was L-88 optioned. Also,the test cars exsisted at least until early spring and by that time the Asto Vette project was under way if not complete.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Duntov's 1968 L-88 test cars

Tom;

I have a 1/18th scale model car made by Carousel 1 that is designated as a 1969 Corvette L-88 GM Test Car. The model purports to be an exact replica of an actual GM test mule, and is white with a Metallic Blue racing stripe down the center. The interesting thing about this model is the complete "Bio Data" provided with it telling the story of it's inception as well as the many famous races and racers that it was campaigned in and by. It also describes the modifications to a 1968 Corvette L-88 including the cold air intake hood, and noting the 1969 added fender flares which came in the trunk rather than being installed. Then it goes on describing the M-22 "Rock-Crusher" 4-speed transmission, heavy-duty suspension and positraction, and notes that A/C and Radio were not available, but thta there was a heater/defroster. Of all the drivers and teams it mentions as having notable success with this car, James Garner was not included.

For what it's worth.

Stu Fox

[Wayne M.]

Re: Duntov's 1968 L-88 test cars

....However,the car(s?) I'm refering to were supposedly constructed sometime between the fall of 1967 and early 1968. There may have been one or two.The original expressed intention was as a test platform to evaluate the L-88 option's performance in the new body. Also, after the testing and evaluaton were completed, these "stock" L-88's were to be offered up as press cars.

Thomas -- have you read the article that I referred to above, and that Joe L. refers to ? Although it purports to be about all production '69s (well, except for the LT1), Duntov's white ZL1 was described as a test mule, and shots show the door thumb opening buttons and the ignition key in the upper dash, a la 1968. Describes how he lost the hood at 180 mph, resulting in modifications to the leading edge and the hinges.

[Stan E.]

Re: Duntov's 1968 L-88 test cars

Right on about the Boss 429,Joe

[Thomas P.]

Re: Duntov's 1968 L-88 test cars

Stu and Wayne


Thanks again for the information. I haven't had the chance to see that Car Life article yet.In some other articles I've read, that car is refered to as the 69 ZL-1 test car.However, the presence of the door operating button and dash mounted ignition switch would seem to indicate otherwise.It would be interesting to find out the build date and VIN (if it has one) of this car. I have been told that some test cars,since they weren't intended to be sold, have no VIN (true?) Also, in trying to "lightweight" the 68 test cars, a few special doors were supposedly fabricated.I wonder if the doors of this test car are a pair of these lightweight doors?

[Wayne M.]

Re: Duntov's 1968 L-88 test cars

..... Also, in trying to "lightweight" the 68 test cars, a few special doors were supposedly fabricated.I wonder if the doors of this test car are a pair of these lightweight doors?

Tom -- I checked the article again, and a shot of the interior shows what looks like factory interior door panels; there's a pair of large gauges where the radio would normally be. Elsewhere, it mentions that Duntov's test car "started life as a stock L-88. With steel headers, minus headlights, bumpers, upholstery, spare tire mount, heater, etc., the car sheds close to 400 lb. The aluminum components (ZL1, etc) subtract another 175 lb. Without driver or fuel, the car weighs 2908 lb."

[Thomas P.]

Re: Duntov's 1968 L-88 test cars

Wayne


In that shot of the interior of the test car, can you make out what kind of gauges are located in the area where the radio delete plate should be? Also, is there a switch located between the gauges? Is there a tach mounted on the column? Finally, if you can make out the 103 octane warning sticker, is it located just ahead of the emergency brake(as most are) or is it somewhere else on the console?

[Steven B.]

Re: Duntov's 1968 L-88 test cars

Wayne


In that shot of the interior of the test car, can you make out what kind of gauges are located in the area where the radio delete plate should be? Also, is there a switch located between the gauges? Is there a tach mounted on the column? Finally, if you can make out the 103 octane warning sticker, is it located just ahead of the emergency brake(as most are) or is it somewhere else on the console?

On p. 44, upper right, there is no switch between the gauges, no column mounted tach, you can't see the sticker as the picture is cropped, I can't make out what the gauges are (I will try a magnifying glass and let you know if successful--hopefully Joe's eyes are better than mine), and the rest of the interior in the picture appears stock. Sorry, my scanner isn't working.

Steve

[Thomas P.]

Re: Duntov's 1968 L-88 test cars

Steve

Thanks for the reply. In that picture, is there a fire extinguisher mounted under the passenger side dash pad? Thanks again for the assistance.

[Steven B.]

Re: Duntov's 1968 L-88 test cars

Steve

Thanks for the reply. In that picture, is there a fire extinguisher mounted under the passenger side dash pad? Thanks again for the assistance.

'Sorry, the picture is cropped on that side also. The pic. zeros in from shifter to near top of instrument panel and over to door panel and down to ZAD's legs/lap. The old print paper/camera does not bring out detail as new does.