James Garner’s 1968 L88 Corvette Racer is the Stuff Of Legends

As 3-of-3 1968 L88 Corvette convertibles campaigned by Garner’s racing team, the noteworthy beauty is offered for sale and worth every penny.

Most people remember the late, great James Garner as a prolific actor from film and television. But the affable, down-to-earth Okie was also a diehard car guy. Garner’s interest expanded to a remarkable turn as enthusiast, driver, and race team co-owner. In fact, Garner’s American International Racing (AIR) team contributed some fascinating lore to Corvette history. In particular, the story behind three very special Le Mans Blue 1968 L88 Corvettes.

Garner had already established himself in Hollywood with star-making roles in The Great Escape and as the effortlessly charming Bret Maverick in Maverick. But things took a turn when he starred in 1961’s Grand Prix playing a Formula 1 driver. It was discovered that Garner was gifted behind the wheel with legitimate racing chops. Garner had previous street racing experience in Oklahoma and Los Angeles. After the intensive track time and experience gained from the film, Garner took his motoring hobby to the next level.

American International Racing (AIR) was founded by Garner alongside noted racers Bob Bondurant and Dick Guldstrand, as well as Irwin Sandin and Donald Rabbitt. To be clear, this was no vanity project. The man could drive. It was Garner himself behind the wheel of the 1974 Pontiac Firebird as the titular Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files. And that killer “Rockford Turn” was the work of the man himself.

AIR had a big break coming.

Chevy’s in-house magazine, Corvette News, quietly published the following: “At 1600 hours on November 28th, 1967, three identical Le Mans Blue Sting Ray Convertibles were trucked through the St. Louis plant gate destined for delivery to a single West Coast customer. It’s significant that each features the L88 engine option. Perhaps we’ll be hearing more about these cars in the near future.”

That is an understatement. The three Corvettes were the first production models featuring the new L88 engine with first-generation closed-chamber aluminum heads. Additionally, the ‘Vettes were Central Office Production Orders (COPO) with production specifications that were jaw-dropping. Which is likely why only 80 1968 L88 Corvettes were produced. Given the beastly 427 cu in iron V8 and racing specs, the L88 Corvette was destined to make noise. And the trio was headed to AIR.

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Once the cars arrived at the AIR shop in Culver City, CA the team got to work. Working with Traco engines, the three Corvettes were all prepped for the track. Two of the Corvettes were to be used as race cars, #44 and #45. While the third was a “promo” car used as a backup racer, in addition to appearing at promotional events.

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Just a month later, the team took the Corvettes to 24 Hours of Daytona. Initially the two Corvettes out-qualified all other FIA competition in their class. But the L88 Corvettes ultimately suffered a handful of mechanical problems during the race, ultimately finishing 29th. AIR found the Corvettes were not a match for endurance racing. All three cars were sold where they were used in competition racing.

This particular Corvette was the “promo” car, 3-of-3. It went on to an impressive racing career. It has been stunningly restored and maintained. So good, that it won the 2009 NCRS American Heritage Award. It is a remarkable piece of Corvette history … with a remarkable price tag of $777K. Whenever one of these storied cars hits the block, it usually comes with a comparable price.

Garner went on to drive the Indy 500 pace car three times and made a huge impact on the world of motorsports. His off-road racing was so good that he was inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame. The Oscar-nominated actor continued to work in film and television until he passed away in 2014.

A fully restored 1968 L88 C3 Corvette is valuable my any measure. But only this car can claim the legendary L88 big-block performance, the history, and the provenance. Worth it? Oh yeah.

As stunning as it is rare, this car makes is part of an especially great chapter Corvette and racing history.

Photos: eBay; AIRL88

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