1969 Chevrolet Corvette L89 Convertible
- Engine
- 427 cu in (approx. 7.0L) V8 with aluminum heads and triple Holley carburetors, 435+ bhp
- Colour
- Daytona Yellow
One of just 390 examples built in the 1969 model year, this Daytona Yellow Corvette L89 Convertible was ordered through a Florida dealership and delivered on New Year's Eve 1968 to Alabama-based drag racer Steve Honnell, who stored the car — and its original numbers-matching L89 engine — from 1977 until 2005. Acquired by the Watkins family, the car underwent an eight-year comprehensive restoration to factory specification, earning NCRS Top Flight recognition in 2014. It retains matching-numbers aluminum heads, engine block, and M21 transmission, and is accompanied by an exceptional collection of original factory and dealer documentation.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$313,000
- 1968-12-31 → 2005Factory deliverySteve Honnellfull documentation
Auburn, Alabama-based drag racer who ordered the car through a Florida dealership and took delivery on New Year's Eve 1968. He replaced the original engine with a drag-prepared unit, never registered or titled the vehicle, and eventually stored it along with the numbers-matching powerplant until selling in 2005.
- 2005 →Private saleDanny and Kenneth Watkinsfull documentation
Purchased the car from Honnell and undertook an eight-year frame-off restoration back to factory specification, collaborating with the original owner throughout the process. Added a period-correct N14 exhaust system and submitted the car for NCRS judging upon completion.
Competition
- 2013-04-01National Corvette Restorers Society judgingNCRS Southeast Chapter Spring Regional MeetSecond Flight Award, 91.7 points
- 2014-04-01National Corvette Restorers Society judgingNCRS Heart of Ohio Chapter Spring Judging MeetTop Flight Award, 96.6 points
Maintenance & restoration
- 1969Modification
Original numbers-matching L89 engine removed and stored; a drag-prepared LS6 V-8 installed in its place. Car also refinished in a metallic-flake paint and fitted with Cragar drag wheels.
Work carried out during Honnell's ownership; original engine was retained on a pallet in his garage.
- 2005Restoration
Comprehensive disassembly and full restoration to original factory specification, taking approximately eight years to complete. The original L89 engine was reinstalled; the sole deviation from factory spec was the fitment of a period-correct N14 exhaust system.
Restoration undertaken by the Watkins family in collaboration with original owner Steve Honnell; completed circa 2013.
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