N.A.R.T. L88 Corvette is One of Zora’s “Four Kings” of C2 Factory Racers

Built in a collab between Zora Arkus-Duntov and Luigi Chinetti for Pedro Rodriguez, “Four Kings” ’66 L88 Corvette competed at Daytona.

After the end of World War II, Italian race car driver Luigi Chinetti applied for U.S. citizenship. His naturalization was sponsored by the future “Father of the Corvette” himself, Zora Arkus-Duntov. According to Autoweek, the icon employed Chinetti at Ardun Mechanical Corporation during the war.

A couple of decades later, Arkus-Duntov and Chinetti would work on a special 1966 Corvette together for the ’66 Sebring 12. That ‘Vette, meant to be piloted by North American Racing Team driver Pedro Rodriguez, is now one of the biggest lots set to cross the red carpet at Mecum Auction’s Kissimmee, Florida happening in early January 2022.

The second of Arkus-Duntov’s “Four Kings” factory racers, the ’66 Corvette built for Chinetti’s N.A.R.T. team wound up not racing in the ’66 Sebring 12 due to behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Instead, Rodriguez and co-driver Mario Andretti drove the same Ferrari they used in the ’66 Daytona 24. However, it would go on to race at Daytona, as well as Talladega and Road Atlanta.

The secret to this and the other “Four Kings”? The L88 V8. Built to compete, the 427 V8 received “seasoning” on the dyno prior to placement under the hood. Atop the 430-horsepower mill road a pair of aluminum cylinder heads tested at Sebring in January 1966 for the 12-hour race. The power reached the back through a four-speed M22 manual tied to a G81 Positraction rear end. A special cowl-induction hood brought cold air to the L88, a hood that would be adopted for all Corvette race cars of the era.

Restored in 2013, the N.A.R.T. L88 ’66 Corvette immediately took home titles and accolades off the track. The ‘Vette is a three-time Bloomington Gold Show guest, and it took home the 2020 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Grand Sport Trophy as the show’s Most Significant GM Competition Car. Considering those who drove it – including Harold Whims, Don Yenko, John Finger, and John “Sam” Henderson – this machine is a star like no other.

This would not be the last time Arkus-Duntov and Chinetti would work together on a Corvette for N.A.R.T. In 1972, a unique ’68 Corvette wound up representing the team at Le Mans. That ‘Vette, owned by Toye English of Race Engineering & Development, received back-door support from Arkus-Duntov and Chevrolet Engineering. However, it would only be through Goodyear’s help the C3 would make the field, taking seventh in class and 15th overall.

That car, currently a part of Mike Yager’s collection at Mid America Motorworks, went to RM Sotheby’s for Monterey Car Week in 2015. Alas, no bid met the Corvette’s reserve. Perhaps this ’66 N.A.R.T. “Four Kings” ‘Vette will fare better on the block come January 2022.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

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