The 427/ L88 was a special high performance engine that Zora Duntov, a Chevrolet Engineer and director of the High Performance Division initiated, and oversaw starting with a small run in 1967 for the C2 Corvette. The C3 Corvette was introduced in 1968 and Zora always saw the Corvette as a race car, and to stay atop the competition it would take the L88. The 427/ L88 was advertised at producing 430hp, but in actuality produced well over 550hp. The L88 was fitted with aluminum heads, a solid camshaft and had a 12.5:1 compression ratio which required high octane gasoline. These engines were designed for race teams, but a few were sold to the public and street driven. Chevrolet producd (80) cars with the L88 in 1968 and (116) in 1969 for the C3 Corvette.