1968 L88 with Power Windows, Steering, Brakes, and AM/FM radio

[Greg A.]

This maybe a question with previous traction on answer thought I could not locate but today I was interviewing a former owner of a 1968 L88 Corvette that was purchased in Northern Calif. In speaking to this former owner who memory was uncanny good as he remembered the date he purchased the car from the dealership, Sale Mgr name, salesmans name, and the cars license plate from memory on a vehicle he owned 5 years going back 45 years ago.

My question is specific to the point that when we were chatting about options the car had, he stated it had Power Windows, Power Steering, Power Brakes, and AM/FM radio from the factory. I challenged that L88's could only have PW and PB of these four options. He indicated that at the time for the L88 cars, Chevrolet would pull the car from the line if it had the correct options like brakes and suspension and make the car an L88 and the additional options not on the order form such as PS and AM/FM would come along. He indicated Ford he had similiar situations with cars like the Boss Mustangs he ordered getting additional options one was not supposed to be able to order.

Question to the forum, fact, fiction, or ????

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 L88 with Power Windows, Steering, Brakes, and AM/FM radio

This maybe a question with previous traction on answer thought I could not locate but today I was interviewing a former owner of a 1968 L88 Corvette that was purchased in Northern Calif. In speaking to this former owner who memory was uncanny good as he remembered the date he purchased the car from the dealership, Sale Mgr name, salesmans name, and the cars license plate from memory on a vehicle he owned 5 years going back 45 years ago.

My question is specific to the point that when we were chatting about options the car had, he stated it had Power Windows, Power Steering, Power Brakes, and AM/FM radio from the factory. I challenged that L88's could only have PW and PB of these four options. He indicated that at the time for the L88 cars, Chevrolet would pull the car from the line if it had the correct options like brakes and suspension and make the car an L88 and the additional options not on the order form such as PS and AM/FM would come along. He indicated Ford he had similiar situations with cars like the Boss Mustangs he ordered getting additional options one was not supposed to be able to order.

Question to the forum, fact, fiction, or ????

Greg------


Fiction. I can see no circumstance when they would "take a car from the line and make it an L-88". They just didn't build cars that way.

[Mark D.]

Re: 1968 L88 with Power Windows, Steering, Brakes, and AM/FM radio

I'm thinking his memory isn't what he thinks it is. Take him out to lunch and, two days later, ask him what he had.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 L88 with Power Windows, Steering, Brakes, and AM/FM radio

I'm thinking his memory isn't what he thinks it is. Take him out to lunch and, two days later, ask him what he had.

Mark and Greg------


Yeah, he may remember some things well but he does not remember everything well.

[Steven B.]

Re: 1968 L88 with Power Windows, Steering, Brakes, and AM/FM radio

I remember the date I ordered my '77---August 6, 1976 at exactly noon, Crumback Symons Chev. in New Haven, IN. and Bruce Symons placed the order for me. I also remember everything I ordered and the reasons I did not order cruise (thought it was a sissy option) and floor mats (I had already bought sisal mats---more sporting and ventilating). I remember why I ordered #72 medium red with black leather (kept looking at a picture of a Ferrari GTO and salivated). I also remember------- now what was I thinking about just now and what is this post in answer to? Why did I walk into this room anyway?? I know I have forgotten something. Crap, I forgot Valentine's Day!

[Richard M.]

Re: 1968 L88 with Power Windows, Steering, Brakes, and AM/FM radio

Maybe his memory is just one digit off, and it was an L89.

[Mark D.]

Re: 1968 L88 with Power Windows, Steering, Brakes, and AM/FM radio

he stated it had Power Windows, Power Steering, Power Brakes, and AM/FM radio from the factory. I challenged that L88's could only have PW and PB of these four options

Couldn't get power windows with L88 although there is a certain black 67 that came out the back door with them.

[Bill W.]

Re: 1968 L88 with Power Windows, Steering, Brakes, and AM/FM radio

Maybe the dealer added the L88 or told him he had one ?

[Steven B.]

Re: 1968 L88 with Power Windows, Steering, Brakes, and AM/FM radio

Couldn't get power windows with L88 although there is a certain black 67 that came out the back door with them.

Hmmmm, Tony D's?. I really liked the repainted blue stripe---it shoulda' been offered in production.

[Greg A.]

Re: 1968 L88 with Power Windows, Steering, Brakes, and AM/FM radio

I think this guy I interviewed is very knowledgle when it comes to 60's muscle cars and customizations based upon his pedigree. He has the nice array of Oakland Grand National 1st and 2nd place trophies for his customizations in his living room I got to oggle and was big in the 60's/70's in NorCal customizations. You gents have provided input though it has been on a sample of two folks contributing

[Tom B.]

Re: 1968 L88 with Power Windows, Steering, Brakes, and AM/FM radio

Maybe he can also remember the VIN. The car may be known to someone on here and it can be checked out.

Tom

[Drew P.]

Re: 1968 L88 with Power Windows, Steering, Brakes, and AM/FM radio

This maybe a question with previous traction on answer thought I could not locate but today I was interviewing a former owner of a 1968 L88 Corvette that was purchased in Northern Calif. In speaking to this former owner who memory was uncanny good as he remembered the date he purchased the car from the dealership, Sale Mgr name, salesmans name, and the cars license plate from memory on a vehicle he owned 5 years going back 45 years ago.

My question is specific to the point that when we were chatting about options the car had, he stated it had Power Windows, Power Steering, Power Brakes, and AM/FM radio from the factory. I challenged that L88's could only have PW and PB of these four options. He indicated that at the time for the L88 cars, Chevrolet would pull the car from the line if it had the correct options like brakes and suspension and make the car an L88 and the additional options not on the order form such as PS and AM/FM would come along. He indicated Ford he had similiar situations with cars like the Boss Mustangs he ordered getting additional options one was not supposed to be able to order.

Question to the forum, fact, fiction, or ????

Hello Greg,
The next time you talk with this person. You should ask some more questions.
1. What body style coupe or converilble?
2. What color paint and trim?
3. What date did he order the Corvette?
4. What date did he take delivery of the Corvette?
5. Ask him to describe the air cleaner configuration round or triangle?
6. Ask him if he has any old photo of the Corvette?
7. What was the name of the Chevrolet dealer?
Good luck,
Drew Papsun

[John H.]

Re: 1968 L88 with Power Windows, Steering, Brakes, and AM/FM radio

I think this guy I interviewed is very knowledgle when it comes to 60's muscle cars and customizations based upon his pedigree. He has the nice array of Oakland Grand National 1st and 2nd place trophies for his customizations in his living room I got to oggle and was big in the 60's/70's in NorCal customizations. You gents have provided input though it has been on a sample of two folks contributing

Greg -

I don't know how much of a sample you need, but let's put it this way - he may have all kinds of great credibility in the hot-rod/custom car fraternity, but his memory is a bit foggy on the Corvette details. Corvettes didn't get pulled off the line and rebuilt or modified as something else - all of them, including L88's, came straight down the line and got built to the specs on the dealer order, and you couldn't order an L88 as he described. I worked at St. Louis in '67-'68.