Images thanks to RM Sotheby’s
A podium-sitter at the 24 Hours of Daytona and 24 Hours of Le Mans veteran, amongst other things, this mighty 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 is heading to auction at RM Sotheby’s upcoming Monterey sale.
In the late ’60s Orland “Or” Costanzo ruled the southern Florida racing scene in a lightweight 1968 Corvette. He sold the car on to Toye English, who gave it a “Stars & Bars” livery that earned it the nickname of ‘The Rebel’. It was a beast, and lived comfortably on the top step of the podium. Its specifications, however, denied it qualification for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
So when Race Engineering & Development found a space in Luigi Chinetti’s NART reserve slot for the 1973 race, they built a new Corvette for the race. They bought a wrecked ’68 small block convertible, chucked the damage parts, including the frame, and started to build it up again.
They repaired and seam-welded the body, fit FIA-specification fender flares and then installed a set of GM driveline parts from the factory. Up front nestled a freshly blueprinted L88 motor that had been detuned with a milder cam, lower-compression pistons and lower redline to give them the reliability to see them through to finish line of the endurance test.
They painted it red, white and blue in a NART livery with the Ferrari prancing horse on the door.
Fortune seemed to be willing them on, because when they got to Le Mans they discovered that Ferrari had redrawn their prototype entries from the race. This upgraded their reserve slot to a guaranteed entry, and thus the race was on.
Dave Heinz and Bob Johnson were given driving duties for the race. During practice with Johnson at the wheel a plastic banner blew onto the track. He hit it and took a big 100 mile-per-hour hit. He was alright, but the ‘Vette needed some love.
The team stripped off the damaged fibreglass and replaced it with pop-riveted aluminium, supported it with wooden struts pulled from a shipping crate and duct taped it back together. A little jump on the repaired section to demonstrate its resilience to officials, and they were back on.
After catching wind of the accident the team’s sponsor, TWA, withdrew their sponsorship. The crew was able to pick up a last-minute BP sponsorship and cover the TWA sponsorship with BP decals, which is why you see their logo on the car today.
They started the race way down the order in 53rd place, but were able to pick their way up to 8th overall by Sunday morning. As is the way with Le Mans, technical gremlins introduced themselves and some engine trouble and an electrical fire saw them finish 15th overall and 7th in class – the only Corvette across the line.
After the race the team removed the Ferrari livery and produced a new version of the Stars & Bars livery on The Rebel, continuing to race this car as their primary entry. In it, they took a class win and impressive 3rd overall in the 1973 24 Hours of Daytona.
It continued racing in IMSA events in 1974 after being re-bodied as a wide body, before being sold to Alex Davidson, who had also bought the original Rebel.
The car thus entered a quiet period in its life until it was purchased by Jack Boxstrom, who sold it to its current owner. He sent it to Kevin Mackay and Corvette Repair for a complete restoration to its Le Mans configuration.
During the restorations its unusual internals were documented before the car was finished to its accurate Le Mans configuration – including the BP logos over the top of the TWA sponsorship.
It has since appeared at events like the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and has been certified by the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association.
This unusual history and its rise to success at the great endurance racing events of the world are a wonderful testament to the resourcefulness of the golden age of racing. It’s a beauty, and we hope to see it go to a good home at RM Sotheby’s’ Monterey sale this August.
Images thanks to RM Sotheby’s
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