1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible with Hardtop
- Engine
- 427ci OHV V8, single four-barrel carburetor, ~550 bhp at 6,400 rpm
- Colour
- Rally Red
A 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible prepared and campaigned by Don Yenko under Sunray-DX petroleum sponsorship. Originally delivered as an L71 Rally Red convertible, it was converted to full L88 specification for endurance racing. The car finished fourth in GT class at the 1968 Daytona 24 Hours and set the GT class lap record at the 1968 Sebring 12 Hours, driven by Yenko alongside Peter Revson at Daytona and Pedro Rodriguez at Sebring. It later earned the NCRS American Heritage Award and entry into the Bloomington Gold Special Collection.
Ownership
- 2023-03-02Auction saleEstimate US$400,000 – US$600,000
- 1968 → 1969Factory deliveryDon Yenkofull documentation
Yenko built and campaigned the car as part of his Sunray-DX-sponsored racing program, then continued racing it personally in SCCA Midwest competition after the sponsorship ended.
- 1968 → 1969Acquisition unknownSunoco (Sun Oil Company)partial documentation
Sunoco acquired Sunray-DX and subsequently divested the car, selling it to the next owner; original correspondence documenting that sale survives with the car.
- 1969 → 1972Private saleRobert Luebbefull documentation
SCCA competitor based in Sherrill, New York; original correspondence between him and Sunoco remains with the car.
- 1972 → 1976Acquisition unknownMichael Oleyarpartial documentation
- 1976 → 2002Acquisition unknownFrank Joycepartial documentation
Long-term custodian who actively raced the car through the 1970s and 1980s.
- 2002 → 2008Private saleMarc Mehlpartial documentation
- 2008 →Private saleCurrent vendorfull documentation
Had the car restored in 2008 to its Sebring livery by a marque specialist; received NCRS American Heritage Award and Bloomington Gold Special Collection induction during this ownership.
Competition
- 19681968 Daytona 24 HoursDriver: Don Yenko4th in GT class
Car ran as number 29, co-driven by Peter Revson; completed close to 500 laps. Sister cars finished 1st and 5th in class.
- 19681968 Sebring 12 HoursDriver: Don YenkoRetired — suspension and rear-end failure on lap 43
Car ran as number 2, co-driven by Pedro Rodriguez; reportedly set the GT class lap record before retirement. Described as the only Corvette Rodriguez ever drove in competition.
- 1968SCCA Midwest Division1968 SCCA Midwest DivisionDriver: Don YenkoDivision title winner
Yenko campaigned the car personally across Midwest and East Coast circuits after the Sunray-DX program concluded.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1968ModificationDon Yenko
Car was converted from a showroom-specification L71 427/435hp convertible to full racing trim, including installation of an L88 engine and competition-oriented setup.
Transformation took place over roughly sixteen months under Sunray-DX sponsorship.
- 2008RestorationMarque specialist
Comprehensive restoration carried out to replicate the car's Sebring race livery and specification.
Following completion, the car received the NCRS American Heritage Award and was inducted into the Bloomington Gold Special Collection.
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