Makes › Chevrolet › Corvette › C3 › Corvette L89 aluminium-head 427/435 (1968–1969) · Rare specification · 1968–1969 Very Rare
Chevrolet
Corvette L89 aluminium-head 427/435 (1968–1969)
L71 tri-power 427/435 with aluminium cylinder heads (RPO L89)
Still being researched: history, identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 390 Built
- Years
- 1968–1969
- Engine
- 7,000 cc / 7.0 LFactory: 427 cu in · converted
- Power
- 324 kW / 441 PSFactory: 435 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Larry Shinoda (Mako Shark II show car); body adapted by the David Holls studio
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The L89 added aluminium heads to the 435 hp L71 Tri-Power 427, and the hub says this took about 75 lb off the nose of the new C3.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory package production1969: 1969 Corvettes with RPO L89 | 3902 | Factory production | Independently researched |
| Factory package production1968: 1968 Corvettes with RPO L89 | 6241 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Corvette L89 aluminium-head 427/435 (1968–1969).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Not yet verified |
| Displacement | 7,000 cc / 7.0 LFactory: 427 cu in · converted3 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Valvetrain | Aluminium cylinder heads on the L71 engine3 Independently researched |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 324 kW / 441 PSFactory: 435 hp · converted3 Independently researchedRating: SAE grossThe hub gives no separate L89 figure for 1968-69; it describes the L89 as the L71 with aluminium heads. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
1968 Corvette Pricing, Factory Options, & Colors – CorvSport Level C
- 624 1968 Corvettes with RPO L89
-
2
1969 Corvette Pricing, Factory Options, & Colors – CorvSport Level C
- 390 1969 Corvettes with RPO L89
-
3
C3 Corvette generation research hub Level B CorvSport
- L89 aluminum heads on the L71
- L89 adding aluminum heads to the L71
- 435 hp (L71)... L89 adding aluminum heads
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