The late actor James Garner will best be known for his lead role in the detective series The Rockford Files, which also featured the character's Pontiac Firebird, a model that was also used in such outings as Smokey and the Bandit and Knight Rider. But while Hollywood turned that vehicle into an icon, Garner had in his possession a Chevrolet muscle car that's far more valuable due to its scarcity. That car, a 1968 Corvette L88 convertible, went up for sale on eBay.

This Corvette Was A Daytona Pace Car

James Garner 1968 L88 Chevrolet Corvette on flatbed
eBay

With a Le Mans Blue exterior with its cabin upholstered in black, this four-speed muscle car was more than a plaything for Garner. A racecar driver himself, this car was the flagship of his American International Racing team when he got the vehicle in 1967.

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Garner ordered through a dealership in California although it had to be picked up in St. Louis. Immediately after that cross-country delivery, Garner's team immediately began to work on the vehicle at its garage in Culver City, California. It not only raced throughout the late '60s and most of the '70s, it was also selected as the pace car for the 1968 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race. After it was retired, the National Corvette Restorers Association presented this L88 with an American Heritage Award in 2009.

This L88 Kicked Out 500 HP

James Garner 1968 L88 Chevrolet Corvette engine
eBay

Corvettes dating back to the Flower Power era are irresistible for gearheads to restomod, with sterling results that include one refitted with an engine from a 2015 model as well as several others undergoing more extensive work by Motion Performance. But those who worked on upgrading the Garner car preferred to bring it back to its original shape, given its heritage.

The chief object of that restoration concerned the L88, a 7.0-liter V8 engine that could kick out up to 500 horsepower, although Chevrolet designated its output at 70 horses lower. That boost, which also included the installation of Can-Am cylinder heads,  was courtesy of a rebuild by Traco Engines, conveniently located next door to where Garner's team set up shop.

A Total Restoration

James Garner 1968 L88 Chevrolet Corvette right rear view
eBay

Everything from the car's engine to the paint job that includes Garner's team name to the point where it looks brand new with only 13,000 on the odometer. It's no surprise then that the asking price is $777,777 with bidding expected to close on Sunday.

Source: eBay

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