7Corvette5

I thought this car was interesting and worth sharing. I know there are others on here with a wealth of L-88 information and lists of authenticated cars. This particular car was listed on the C3 Registry back in 2008 (although anyone can put anything on there), is listed as having documentation and being the 'real deal'. However, Barrett-Jackson really didn't advertise this as such and I'm sure as a result it only sold for 85k + buyers fee. Anyone know anything about this car? Has it been refuted as truly being a 'real deal' car? Sounds to be well done if it's a clone though. Interested in thoughts from the experts.

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Even...E-COUPE-272924

https://www.c3registry.com/index.php?job=ShowCorvette&car_id=Zml4ZW Rfc3RyaW5nZml4ZbZPRQE1zaLdfM4mLYVeyj0n/AnBjDokjq90cOIsEbSo6GmVh8hkaN2e{RM3CHVO8 g==

69L88

I don’t know anything about this car but will say that if it sold at Barrett-Jackson for $85k it is most certainly NOT an original L-88. Anybody who knows anything about L-88s knows that genuine 68-69 cars sell for in the neighborhood of $500k.

Driving69

I would think if he was going to pass it off as an original L88 car he would have at least removed the ignition shielding around the distrib. Agree, I think it was just a wannabe clone.

3X2

Lots of obvious things wrong looking at the engine picture. As noted earlier, shielding around distributor. Also has a fan shroud, wrong plug wires, missing seal for air cleaner base, incorrect diverter valve, hoses, and clamps, a coolant tank cap.

DKM-106

Car sold at Mecum Indy for $197k supposedly. Listed in the C3 Registry: https://www.c3registry.com/index.php?job=ShowCorvette&car_id=PiCs0n x8XWyS%7Bq415xC9FjBF6M/BKTkxS9Ay9Cw3ioGUNp/9VZmkigpk3l5xNKVak0tQE7TKULBgtQZKVbNIHA= =

Pboyd

Roy Sinor commented on the NCRS website that the car originally had a small block.

Rowdy Rat

I saw that Pat… I guess Roy knows a little more about the car than the rest of us. Still, there was enough that you could see in the photos that would have you asking questions.

It was interesting to get the new owner’s take on it as well. Apparently, he thought it was real (although the sale price should have been a tip off if nothing else).

Regards,

Stan Falenski

Pboyd

I think Roy is the Corvette expert at BJ who tries to determine if the sellers claims are reasonable so he would have examined the car and caused the seller to retract earlier claims that it was really an L88 with a matching number engine. The new buyer seems to think he was buying a lawsuit opportunity, but if BJ changed the seller’s claim before the sale that does not seem likely.

TCracingCA

All the more reason to build the Registry. Less chance of fraud if the Vins are known. Why I started that Registry thing of mine in C2, I have a bunch of C3s listed, hope to get back to adding more.

DKM-106

Unfortunately the new owner bought the car thinking it was a real L88 at a bargain with the hopes of having an expert validate it or sue the consignor or BJ for misrepresentation. There is no recourse for the buyer at an auction like this with the way BJ and Mecum make you sign a bidders agreement holding them harmless for representation of the vehicle. In the end IMHO if you are going to spend nearly $100k on a 69 Corvette I would bring an expert to look a the car, do you homework to understand what items should be correct for an L88 Corvette and at a minimum google the vin. I have seen some correctly restored L88 clones bring $100k, but this car isn't there with it originally starting as a small block and missing a lot of the big block/L88 components.

Nowhere Man

from Roy

DKM-106

The new owner of the car posted this on the NCRS website:

I bought the car that everyone is talking about. The auction magazine indeed describes the car as "This Can-Am White 1969 Corvette L88 is powered by a matching-numbers 427/430hp V8 engine that features open-chambered aluminum heads, a performance camshaft, a 12.0:1 compression ratio and 4-barrel Holley Carb" It goes on to list the other features including heavy duty suspension and 7-leaf rear springs. Whether or not it's real, I couldn't let it go when it was stuck at $75,000 and if it isn't real, I have a pretty good lawsuit against the consignor or whomever wrote the description. It doesn't say its a Corvette with an L88 and it doesn't say it's an L88 clone. The description under the photo and below it says "1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88". Yes, you can talk semantics all day long, but in the moment, and for that kind of money, it was worth the risk to me. If it turns out to be a clone, then I have a very nice car with an L88 motor and maybe...... a lawsuit. I'll update everyone, once I have it verified by a Corvette expert.

3JsVette

Doesn't this raise any questions?
**VIN NOTICE: DEPENDING ON THE STATE OF REGISTRATION OF THE BUYER, THE VEHICLE MAY REQUIRE AN
INSPECTION AND BE SUBJECT TO A STATE-ISSUED VIN AND/OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF THAT STATE.**

DKM-106

BJ adds that to all their descriptions now. They are protecting themselves against the issue of people restoring cars and washing titles. A title maybe clear in one state but have a salvage title status in another and sometimes buyers don't know until they go to register the car.

AOS_L79

The car was discussed on this forum in 2017 here:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-737632-a.html

It includes a pic of the engine pad.

People need to read this to understand what they're up against when buying a used car without due diligence beforehand.
https://jalopnik.com/the-curious-cas...tte-1721955795

Rowdy Rat

Lots of issues with the stamped pad information... Even if you take away the issues with character configuration, you still have to deal with broadcast code as the elephant in the room. We know from recently presented information that the MR broadcast code was assigned to L-88/M-40 closed chamber head cars... Not a very late, L-88/M-22 open chamber head car. This alone might have saved the auction purchaser if he had done some homework or asked for assistance.

The auction companies hold all the cards... Anyone that goes into an auction purchase thinking that they have a law suit as a potential method of resolution to misrepresentation is sorely mistaken.

Regards,

Stan Falenski

DKM-106

I thought I remembered the car, thanks for posting the old link. The engine stamping is a bad restamp. There is no way I would have paid almost $100k for this car with a bad restamped engine, small block rear end and incorrect parts. This car should sold in the $45-60k range.

DKM-106

Stan you are 100% correct. The auction companies always win because they make the bidders sign an agreement and they can't be led liable for misrepresentation. Take away: do your homework before bidding or bring in someone more knowledgeable that knows these cars.

"The Court of Appeals ultimately determined that there were no representations made by Barrett-Jackson that pertained to the vehicle that might otherwise support a consumer fraud claim. The Court’s finding was based in large part on the Bidder Agreement that the purchaser signed prior to successfully bidding on the vehicle. In that Agreement, the purchaser acknowledged that Barrett-Jackson made no representations about any of the vehicles in the auction."

kenba

I looked at the Corette & it was NOT even close to a real L-88. No J-56 & small block everything under it. Bet the bidder just saw the big book listing & not what BJ says about every car. Here is a updated listing . Guy said he just saw it was under the money for a L-88 & put in a bid. Everyone else new it was not real & he got stuck with the bid. Should be a lesson for everyone to check for yourself & dont just buy a story.