1969 Corvette ZL1 Market Moment

I was hoping John Maher’s 1969 Corvette ZL1 would set the record for highest Corvette sale at auction. $3 million Ferraris are almost expected at auctions today, yet Corvettes rarely break seven figures, much less $3m. But the 1969 ZL1s are shrouded in mystery — it was known two were built but with Maher’s one-of-a-kind ZL1 automatic convertible the total is clearly three. In the end this Corvette broke the $3m mark but did not set the record, two 1967 L88 Corvettes sold for more in the past, but it is now the highest priced C3 Corvette ever and certainly worth every penny. You can read all about it in the Market Moment I wrote in the May issue of Sports Car Market magazine, which will be published in a few weeks.

John Maher’s 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL1 Convertible courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

1971 Chevrolet Corvette ZR2 Convertible Auction Analysis

You don’t see one of these every day. Only 12 were built, and just two were convertibles. These were factory-built race cars with LS6 454 V8 power. The legendary 1967-69 L88 Corvettes the ZR2 replaced are more plentiful and better known, and generally sell for much more. Plus this one is factory original down to the tires, has all dealer documentation, and even has the original Protect-O-Plate warranty card. Selling for $962,500 this was right on the money, although I would have like to see it cross seven figures. Read all about it in the September 2022 issue of Sports Car Market magazine: www.sportscarmarket.com⎘.

1968 Chevrolet Yenko Super Camaro Auction Analysis

This Concours d’ Elegance of America award-winning Camaro was previously owned by Bill Goldberg and featured in multiple magazines, including Muscle Car Review, Hemmings Muscle Machines and Hemmings. It was also featured in the book “COPO: Camaro, Chevelle, and Nova-Chevrolet’s Ultimate Muscle Cars.” Includes the original Yenko new car invoice documents, the Bill of Sale, shipping records, dealer worksheet, vehicle registration, titles and dealer notifications. It also includes the Certificate of Authenticity by Camaro expert Jerry MacNeish and is listed in the Yenko registry. Additionally, it includes the original Vince Piggins Chevrolet shipping documentation.

Since so few ’68 Yenko Super Camaros were built (20), and far fewer survive, it’s not surprising they rarely change hands. These rare Camaros sell for a median of $465,000, but this one sold for $533,500, including buyer’s premium. Look for a detailed analysis in the August 2022 issue of Sports Car Market magazine: www.sportscarmarket.com⎘.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Auction Analysis

Chevrolet produced 20,302 of their Camaro Z/28 street racers in 1969. They are not terribly rare, so what makes one worth much more than average today? A desirable color (Code 71 Le Mans Blue ), documented history, and a superb and accurate restoration by Mike Swedal. The April 2022 issue of Sports Car Market magazine contains my analysis of a $148,500 sale by Mecum of this 1969 Z/28, well above the median for these cars. You can visit Sports Car Market here: www.sportscarmarket.com

Sting Ray Dreams

“Linkage” is an automotive magazine that was launched in 2021 by Donald Osborn along with Chester Allen and Jim Pickering, two editors I worked with at other publications. The quarterly publication is “Geared for the Automotive Life” and at over 180 pages per issue it is a remarkable achievement. Linkage 006 (Winter 2022) features my article on the second generation 1963-67 Chevrolet Corvettes, “Sting Ray Dreams.” You may check out Linkage here: linkagemag.com

Our New Family Member

Only a Midwesterner would buy a Corvette in January, but we did! “Annie” is our 30,400 mile 1993 Chevrolet Corvette 40th Anniversary convertible. In 1993 we were loaned a twin to this Corvette by General Motors, for a travel story for Corvette Fever magazine. We stayed at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, and traveled the Blue Ridge Parkway. We fell in love with this Corvette, and have wanted one ever since. We’ve been photographing and writing about other people’s Corvettes since 1989, now we finally own one. It only took 29 years, but dreams do come true! Special thanks to Burtness Chevrolet⎘ in Orfordville, Wisconsin for a wonderful buying experience. Annie was owned from 2004 to 2015 by the late John Bowditch, who was the owner of Burtness Chevrolet.