Set to cross the block at RM Sotheby’s Miami auction with an estimate of up to $1.1 million, this 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 is a landmark American endurance racer built by Toye English’s Race Engineering & Development (RED) team as the successor to their famed “Rebel Corvette.” Purpose-built to meet FIA regulations, it featured a reinforced chassis, race suspension, and a detuned but formidable 427ci L88 big-block focused on reliability over outright power.
Through the backing of Luigi Chinetti’s North American Racing Team (NART), the Corvette earned an entry into the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans, wearing NART livery and racing as car #4. Driven by Dave Heinz and Bob Johnson, the small privateer team overcame a practice crash, fueling issues, rain-soaked conditions, and even an on-track fire repair to finish 15th overall and first in the over-5.0-liter GT class—making it just the fourth Corvette ever to complete Le Mans at the time.
The car continued its success stateside, most notably finishing third overall at the 1973 24 Hours of Daytona, the highest international endurance result for a Corvette until 2001. After years of competition, it underwent a meticulous restoration by Corvette specialist Kevin Mackay, returning it to its 1972 Le Mans configuration with remarkable historical accuracy.
Since then, it has earned major concours honors, including induction into the Bloomington Gold Corvette Hall of Fame, multiple Amelia Island appearances, and a Grand Sport Trophy win. Displayed at the National Corvette Museum since 2025, it remains a rare symbol of American ingenuity triumphing on motorsport’s toughest stage.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
