The 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 RED/NART Le Mans is much more than a vintage race car; it is a symbol of American defiance against European dominance. Built by Toye English’s Race Engineering & Development team, it conquered the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans against all odds. It remains just the fourth Corvette in history to finish the grueling French marathon. Today, it stands restored to its exact 1972 specification, preserving a moment when a small Florida team took on the world.
The Birth of a NART Backed Legend
Securing an entry at Le Mans required the help of Luigi Chinetti, the legendary head of the North American Racing Team. Because the FIA rules were strict, the team built this specific 1968 chassis in just eight weeks. It was dressed in the iconic NART livery, featuring the Cavallino Rampante shield normally reserved for Ferraris. This cross-brand collaboration created a visual and mechanical masterpiece that remains unique in the history of international endurance racing.
Resilience at Circuit de la Sarthe
The car famously survived a 100-mph crash during practice, only to be repaired with aluminum sheets, duct tape, and wood from shipping crates. Despite starting 51st, the team fought through rain and fire to climb the leaderboards throughout the night. By the time the sun rose, they were recording speeds of 212 mph on the Mulsanne Straight. This incredible pace allowed them to secure first place in the Group 4: GT Special class.
Championship Success at Daytona and Sebring
Following its European success, the car returned to the United States to continue its winning streak in the IMSA circuit. It achieved a third-place overall finish at the 1973 24 Hours of Daytona, a record for Corvettes that stood for nearly thirty years. The car also competed fiercely at Sebring, qualifying second overall against a field of world-class machinery. Its versatility across different continents and track types solidified its reputation as a premier competition tool.
Meticulous Restoration and Hall of Fame Status
Expert Kevin Mackay performed a comprehensive restoration to return the car to its precise 1972 Le Mans configuration. The project was so detailed that the team even re-created the faint TWA logos visible beneath the BP decals. Authentic touches like the Vega GT steering wheel and Nova master cylinder reflect the resourceful engineering of the original RED crew. In 2001, this legendary machine was rightfully inducted into the Bloomington Gold Corvette Hall of Fame.
L88 Big Block Performance and Engineering Specs
At the core of this 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 RED/NART Le Mans is a blueprinted 427-cubic-inch L88 V-8 engine. This mythical power plant features a 12.5:1 compression ratio and massive Holley carburetion, though it was detuned for durability during 24-hour stints. It produces well over 550 horsepower, managed by a heavy-duty M22 Rock Crusher four-speed manual transmission. Heavy-duty suspension and race-spec brakes ensure the chassis can handle the immense torque of the big-block engine.
Summary of the RED/NART Corvette
This L88 Corvette represents the ultimate intersection of privateer ingenuity and factory-supported performance parts. It carries a history of survival and victory that few other American racing cars can match across both Le Mans and Daytona. From its improvised repairs in France to its induction into the National Corvette Museum, its legacy is undeniable. For the serious collector, it offers a direct connection to the golden era of international GT endurance competition.
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Source: rmsothebys.com
