The aluminum 427 was rated at the same 435 hp as its cast-iron brother, but it weighed about 100 pounds less. In fact, it weighed even less than a 350 small-block. It was solid-lifter with 12.5:1 compression and came with a Holley 850 double-pumper carb.
https://www.motortrend.com/features/1412-1969-chevrolet-corvette-stingray-the-orange-one/
In Dec 1968, Maher traded in his 1968 L88 Corvette on the 69 ZL1
The 1969 RPO ZL-1 was strictly developed as an FIA/NHRA homologation experiment and, in practice, never truly intended for sale to the public.
The real kicker for Maher was that this new engine could be had with the M40 automatic transmission, perfect for clutch dumps and full-throttle launches.
After much difficulty, Maher was only able to secure his order with assistance from Grady Davis, a two-time SCCA national champion and senior vice president at Gulf Research, then a secret partner to GM’s clandestine racing operations.
The RPO ZL-1 option, a 560-horsepower derivative of the all-aluminum CanAm racing engine delivered in a street-legal, factory-built production car, more than doubled the price of a new CorvetteDrag racing modifications were on the car’s original sales invoice, the installation of free-breathing side-pipes and a spare 4.11:1 rear end.
From February 1969 until November 1972, Maher and this extreme Corvette terrorized hill climbs, autocross events, and drag races across Western Pennsylvania. Because of its M40 transmission, Maher labeled his ZL-1 with the cheeky moniker “Winning Automatically.” By September 1969, the car’s original short-block assembly had been blown and was replaced by another short-block assembly furnished under warranty by Chevrolet.
Maher kept the Vette until 2007, where it only had 3000 miles on it.
It's now going to auction with RM Sotheby's a month from now
for the story of the other ZL1 https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2099781/1969-chevrolet-corvette-zl-1-corvettes-extremely-bad-boy/
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