1969 L89 Corvette roadster 427/435 Tri Carb factory aluminum heads L89,L88,Zl1.

Description for Chevrolet Corvette 1969

After recent extensive research I found out that this car is very unique due to the late build date.
An elderly Corvette collector told me that the late build L89 cars had the open chamber heads.
The thing is I could not find this info anywhere. I saw a few things in forums but nothing was actually written in a book, it was just a few mentions of it online.I did find one post that I listed of a gentleman restoring his 3rd L88 corvette. He mentioned that he got his info from M.F. Dobbins book.I found it on Ebay and bought the4th edition published in 1991. Well sure enough it was all true and listed in his book.
Please see the articles that I have found in M.F. DOBBINS NCRS MEMBERS book.
VETTE VUES FACT BOOK 1968-1972 4th edition on page 101 and 27, that after about serial number 22000 the late production 1969 L89,L88,ZL1 cars had the open chamber 3946074 heads.The 3946074 aluminum heads sport huge 2.29/1.88-inch valves in large 118-cc D-shaped open chambers. These cylinder heads require the appropriate matching piston top to conform to the chamber shape.
Some might deny this because the 1968 L89's and the majority of the 69 cars used the 3919842 closed chamber heads.The 68 early 69 L89 cars were not any faster then the L71 cast iron head cars so later on after the strike in 1969 since the production was 4 months behind. GM used the new aluminum 074 open chamber heads, with a lot bigger valves and bigger ports in early November into December of 1969 model year. This is why you will never find a 842 head with a later casting date after November of 1969 because they stopped making them. The 842 heads went obsolete because of the poor design of the rocker mount bosses they were breaking. They were the same as the standard L71 cast iron heads smaller valves closed chamber and smaller ports then the 074.

This car sounds like an L88!With L88/L89-074 heads with the solid lifter cam 11 to 1 compression and 2.125 inch massive tubed stainless headers and Doug's stainless side pipes. The folks at the local car show will love it.
Very clean survivor and well taken care of driver not a trailer queen.
This L89 427/435 is in the C3 registry serial number 36275 all info is on there.
I have the tank sticker, protecto plate and order copy.
1 of 390 L89's built 4 speed and automatics cars combined.
1 of 40 roadsters built.
1 of 3 factory side pipe roadsters built.Out of these numbers above how many were open chamber head cars,thats the real question.I bet only a few or possibly one.
Late build P21 on trim tag (nov 21st 1969) Is it the last L89 built? 427-435 tri carb aluminum heads,Side-mounted exhaust,White convertible top,Auxiliary hardtop (red), 4 speed m21 close ratio,F41 suspension,tilt added,front louver trim,am/fm,soft tinted glass (all original glass),positraction,power steering.Numbers match LP and partial vin stamped on block. LP =L89aluminum head manualtrans (4 speed).Block casting # 3963512 late 196, block cast date K4 9 (November 4th 1969) see pictures.
Transmission is original to the car it has correct vin and P9R10A P=Muncie 9=69 R=October 10= day of manufacture (October 10th) see picture.

Its a California car very clean and dry. Suspension and frame are clean and solid no rust. Interior is all original looks very good yet. Paint looks great was recently wet sanded and buffed and shows very well yet. I do have rally wheels with trim rings with redline tires like new. I also have stock exhaust manifolds, stock side pipes,factory non tilt column,Car cover, and factory correct redline tires and rally wheels shown in pictures. I also have a hardtop cart that holds the hardtop when not in use.
My car is serial number 36275 this is why I think its possibly the last L89 ever built. They went up to 38762 for the 1969 production year. I have talked to 1 other that has the late heads as well as mine. Please see pics it shows these heads are correct for Late 69. Also the late cars had the aluminum water neck like mine the early ones had cast iron. A lot of important information is listed in the VETTE VUES FACT BOOK 1968-1972 . This car also has the late vinyl shifter boot not the rubber one that the early cars came with. Also the vent knobs changed from steel to smooth plastic around serial number 16000. I have the book and I will give it to the buyer or show any person the article.


If you are looking for a rare optioned car with the best GM head that not many even knew existed this is the one.

*Note that the Hagerty price below is the standard L89 price not the late production price.I would think that it might be significantly more being only a few or one built like this one.
Price update from Hagerty as of 2-14-19.
Hagerty has value at 334000 was 236000 last month for concours condition.
195000 was 150000 last month for excellent
160000 was 120000 last month for good
Only going up!


Please do not bid or offer if you do not have the money to purchase.
Car is sold as is nowarranty or returns come and drive it or have it inspected.Clear title.Non refundable deposit