harmonyp

Only reason why not a '68 is because you either don't want a C3, or can't afford a full bumper year.

The13Bats

I don't have a clue about nose sag but the rear frame where the kick ups are the 68 and earlier cars do not have that big frame brace, ( pictures in my build thread ) I had my tech install them on my car, a 69 getting a 68 chassis under it, Now none of the 63-68 cars had that brace and some of those cars had bb's and were well beaten on, I had it installed because I figured my body was off and gm wanted it there....
My car being some 1/2 breed seems I should put 68 push button doors on it.

Procrastination Racing

Actually, later '68s had it. Not sure when, but the early summer cars had them.

Maybe we need a poll.

kettererhouse

Yea 1968 What a POS no saggy map pocket Key in the dash and no anti theft on the column. Goofy E-brake console with twin cigarette pack holder's Side courtesy lights on coupes No Stingray badging Goofy back up lights in the exhaust panel. GM could not even cut out the forth gill left a blob of fiber glass in there Head light buckets bigger than the other C3s. Big Blocks had that ugly hood just to get a air cleaner under her. I'm glad that I own one!!!!

Postal123

Priya,

Imagine a line that runs from the front corner of the hood to the extreme end of the chrome bumper...under that top panel (front surround) is a vertical inner fender. On the '69 and later cars, a small L-shaped tab was attached to the inner fender and helped support that panel. If you see the edges of the hood a bit high this is a possible culprit...but it can also be for other reasons or on a mis-aligned '69 and on, as well. Some '68s do not need them, some have had them added and some still sport the mis-alignment. So it's not exactly a sagging nose, it was/is an issue with alignment of that panel to the hood. I have a '68 and designed my own fix. If you notice the red '68 in this thread, the alignment is perfect...so obviously its either not needed on this car or has been addressed. It's a simple thing to take care of.

oyealiz

Mine's had alot done over the years, but darned if she still didn't have a bunch of the original issues when I bought her (about 12-13 yrs ago) and darned if she doesn't have some of them still today!

Yall mentioned the "one year" parts. Another of my favorites is the 67 parts.

pltmgr

I prefer 68 and 69. I have a 68 and although I'm not doing a full restoration I am correcting a number of issues created by Bubba. I'm not having difficulty finding any "one year parts" that I need but they are sometimes more expensive.

grumman41

I HATE to drop this on you but there are a lot of issues with 68's that I am not at liberty to discuss on this forum. I urge all owners to start bringing them to my home in an orderly manner.

Priya

Thanks postal123.

The13Bats

I have the issue of a mind that is far swifter than my typing skills,
My whole post was a bit off basically from hands not up to speed with brain,
I started it with saying the "68 and earlier cars didn't have them" when it should have read "early 68 and pre cars didn't have them"
Then As you pointed out my next error,
"Now none of the 63-68 cars had that brace and some of those cars had bb's and were well beaten on," replace that mistakenly typed "68" with "67" include my entire thought as I just did and you get the point I was going for,
I cant tell you how many times I have said I wanted a 68 bb scoop but meant the 67 bb scoop,
I knew when I bought my 68 chassis that late 68 had them, ( No, I didn't dissect it into early,mid,late ) I was told by the seller mine had them, it didn't.
I assure you I will take more care with future posts.

LemansBlue68

I absolutely agree!! That is why if you EVER run across a fantastic deal on a '68 you should RUN (not walk) away from it and to the nearest internet connection and IM me so that I can save you from the horrors of having to purchase it. BTW, I prefer big blocks: 435, 400, 390 HP ratings, 4-speeds preferred but I can drive automatics too. I'm not picky. Even L88's. Heck, that junk won't even run on regular unleaded fuel, and big blocks in general get terrible gas mileage. So let me save you from making a big mistake. Good luck on your search but remember, no '68's! Leave that junk for me!!

bkvette3

Love it, brother,man. Too funny.

emccomas

One of the many things to keep in mind is that there are a lot of one year only parts on 68s.

Decide what your goal is first (original restoration, driver, whatever) and go from there.

It used to be true that you could get more car for the money with a 68. I don't see that as being true much anymore.

Take a hard look at any 68 you are considering. If it has been banged up in the past, if may have been repaired using parts from a 69 or later car.

I remember looking at a 68 coupe that had been hit on the right front. Parts from a 69 were used to fix the car, including part of the 69 upper surround and a 69 headlight assembly.

Yep, you guessed it, the car had two different size headlight assemblies on it. Left side was original 68, right side was 69. It looked sort of cockeyed.

Jamess411

Love my 68 and its my third one ))
Looking for a coupe that I can turn into a full tube chassis pro streeter…so if any of you feel that you made a mistake and NEED to correct it I WILL TAKE IT

seacliffe301

It almost seems unfair that after all these years, there is still a hint of a stigma attached to 68's. The first year build issues are well documented. Build quality was another well documented concern back in the day. On the other hand, considering the drivetrain options alone, they must be quite enjoyable to own. (I had a friend with a '68/327. That car was a blast). They certainly look good, and the ignition in the dash I've always loved.

I have to admit though, when it came time to choose my car, the 68's were off of my list. I've got a cousin who back in the 80's worked for a well respected Corvette performance/restoration shop in the Detroit area. I remember him telling me that when a '68 came in the door, they knew that they were going to make some money. Electrical issues, body fit & finish issues, mechanical issues, it was always something. Now granted, close to 50 years later, one must assume that whatever problems once existed, must have been corrected by now.

Priya

This can't be right, can it? Surely the hood surround an headlight assemblies are the same shape and position between 68 and 69. I find it very hard to believe the headlight assemblies were different sizes and in different positions between 68 and 69. Surely this must have just been a crappy repair job.

loup68

Priya, The 68's do have smaller headlight doors, than the 69-up cars. GM made them slightly larger, I don't know why. I think that it is only about a 1/4 inch difference.
And Bats, 68's did have nose sag. My march 27th 1968 coupe eventually developed small cracks, in the hood surround by the hood front corners. Mine did not even have a nose rod brace, let alone the two triangle inner fender brackets and the two " twist " brackets. Lou.

Priya

Thanks Loup68. Based on that I think I'm going to pass on any 68 projects. If I do buy a 69 project I'll be replacing the doors and entire interior with 79 pieces so most of the one year only 68 parts wouldn't have been a concern but those issues with the nose sag and headlight doors are.

John 65

I had an early 68, built in October 67. The front of the nose was supported by a small bracket attached to the fiberglass that bolted directly to a tab on the horseshoe bracket support. No rods yet. Also the 2 twisty bars in the corners were still there.

7T1vette

'68 C3's have some 'differences' from later years: no map pocket in dash; no hand pulls on the interior door panels (only a lip under the upper edge to get fingers into); ignition switch on the dash panel instead of the steering column; no 'tilt' wheel available--only telescoping feature; NO WHEELWELL FLARES to prevent road rash on the sides of your car!; push-button door opening feature; 327 and 427 engines (350 came out in '69); 7" wide wheel rims (8" in '69); the "twin-cigarette pack holders" in the e-brake housing were to hold the buckles on the non-retractable seat belts.

I liked my '68 really well; but I liked the flared wheelwells and less road rash better.