[ronebee]

Hi Folks:

Does anybody remember a Tak's automotive in Denver Colorado? I recently got in contact with the original owner of my 1968 427-435 Corvette that he purchased from Luby Chevrolet in Denver.

Per the original owner, shortly after aquiring the car he was at a speed event in Colorado and he had a chance meeting with a "bigwig" from Chevrolet R&D who was admiring his car. Per that meeting the bigwig (orig. owner couldn't remember the guys name) "pulled some strings" and allowed this guy to aquire an L-88 shortblock for street use. L-88 motors were only supposed to go to well known racers back then. Per the first owner, he would have gotten a motor with heads but could not afford it at the time, so he got the short block.

L-88 was put in the car with the 427/435 heads, winters foundry L-88 intake, aluminum water pump, headers, some baldwin motion goodies, bm hood, flares, traction bar, air cleaner, ansen sprints, etc,etc. All work done at Tak's auto in Denver.

Also, does anyone know were the numbers are supposed to be on an L-88 over the counter motor? When I bought this car I was told the L-88 was long gone, and that a LS-7 was put in sometime in the mid '70s. Per the original owner, he owned this car until 1982 (I confirmed this on the back of the title)and when he sold the car he sold it with the L-88 intact in the bay. As I described the engine bay to him he said that it soounds to be exactly the way he sold it back in 1983. The only numbers I can find on this block is a small set of numbers stamped on the block above the timing chain cover. These are barely ledgible through the engine enamel. Were else would any numbers or casting numbers be on this motor?

Thanks for any and all help. This is a really neat car.