Next to the 409 my favorite "other" engine I yearn for is the now legendary L88 BBC, used in production for a few selected 1967-69 Corvettes. The January 2006 issue of Corvette Fever covers the "L88 story" in a historical fashion (pages 24-30), and in doing so mentions some of the earlier GM developments, notably the 1963 Z06 Corvette, the five Grand Sports with the 377 aluminum block (all SBCs) and the "Mark II mystery motor program". Text is by Alan Colvin, photos by Jerry Heasley. Special thanks to Kevin Mackay and Franz Estereicher.
Story starts out talking about the Z06 production, the secretly designed Grand Sports, then leads up to the BBC origins (Mark II development program). Here is some straight text from that article:
"The new 427 engine had been developed from the Mark II mystery motor program, which had been planned in the Fall of 1962. Four mystery motor Mark II 427 engines were shipped to Smokey Yunick's shop in Daytona beach, Florida, and in conjunction with Mickey Thompson's team were installed in two stock appearing Z06 coupes. ... Both were entered in the February 16, 1963 American Challenge Cup Race. Bill Krause and Rex White were the drivers. This was the first Corvette racing appearance of the 427 mystery motor.
During this time, a development L88 engine was sent from GM to Delmo Johnson, who installed the engine into a Grand Sport coupe and raced at the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 27, 1965....
On January 14, 1966, a special-development L88 Corvette came down the line at the St. Louis plant, destined to be delivered to the Penske racing team in Philadelphia, PA."
Thought some of you historical types might be interested in this article, replete with pictures and cut-away views of the mighty L88. Assuming the facts to be correct, I learned a lot about the development of this engine. If I ever get around to cloning a 1963 Grand Sport (I have the IRS chassis ready, no body or drivetrain) I would put a 1963 QB 409/425 engine in it even though Zora would likely turn in his grave over that matchup
.
Cheers!
TomK
Story starts out talking about the Z06 production, the secretly designed Grand Sports, then leads up to the BBC origins (Mark II development program). Here is some straight text from that article:
"The new 427 engine had been developed from the Mark II mystery motor program, which had been planned in the Fall of 1962. Four mystery motor Mark II 427 engines were shipped to Smokey Yunick's shop in Daytona beach, Florida, and in conjunction with Mickey Thompson's team were installed in two stock appearing Z06 coupes. ... Both were entered in the February 16, 1963 American Challenge Cup Race. Bill Krause and Rex White were the drivers. This was the first Corvette racing appearance of the 427 mystery motor.
During this time, a development L88 engine was sent from GM to Delmo Johnson, who installed the engine into a Grand Sport coupe and raced at the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 27, 1965....
On January 14, 1966, a special-development L88 Corvette came down the line at the St. Louis plant, destined to be delivered to the Penske racing team in Philadelphia, PA."
Thought some of you historical types might be interested in this article, replete with pictures and cut-away views of the mighty L88. Assuming the facts to be correct, I learned a lot about the development of this engine. If I ever get around to cloning a 1963 Grand Sport (I have the IRS chassis ready, no body or drivetrain) I would put a 1963 QB 409/425 engine in it even though Zora would likely turn in his grave over that matchup
.Cheers!
TomK
