E.Murray

Just curious whether anybody has run across a somewhat-comprehensive list of '68 oddities. I'm looking at a '68 parts car (to scavenge for my '68 project) and curious how much of it is original. I know a true list would have 100's of items... Wonder if anybody ever tried to cover the whole topic?

Easy Mike

Probably not. There have been a couple of threads here in the past, but even those may not have been comprehensive.

As a 68 owner, I look at it this way: our cars were first. Everybody else's changed.

E.Murray

I tried searching for "68 only part list", but the search function kicked out both "68" and "only" which meant I got 250 almost useless results...

sullyman56

I'm restoring an early, January build, convertible. I wouldn't say that the list would be in the 100s, but it would be quite a few. Not to mention the changes made during the production run.

East Bay 68

I saw this list in the website below. Since I am only partially into my 68 rebuild I can't say how accurate it is but it's something:

https://68ragtop.wordpress.com/2012/...t-c3-part-fit/

sullyman56

Just checked out your build thread. Nice work and you're making good progress. My L36 convertible was originally Corvette bronze too and that's the color it's going back to. Keep up the good work.

E.Murray

I'd say that's a mighty good start. There are about 100 things on the list. Yikes...

azza2u

There are a few more things missing from that list too that have been mentioned in various threads over the past year I just haven't gotten around to checking them and updating it for a year or so. Like the rocker panel moulding being a 2 piece design shared with 69, but having different screw spacing than 70 and up panels.

The13Bats

I guess after the first year of a new model the factory changes things that are not up to par or that cost too much or people didn't like but I have a 69 and a few things I wish gm had left alone,

I like the 68,

Ignition on dash

push button doors

4 tail/brake lights and small lower backup lights,

WESCH

Hi

Use this thread for a good listing.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...only-list.html

rgds Günther

Rescue Rogers

Adding to bats post. Wiper motor, gauge bezel (smooth vs textured and only 3 warning lights) wiper overide switch and both manual swiches, wiper switch, seats (back release is low vs high) rear trailing arm shims dont have slots, vent *****, air ventilation ducts dont have levers or flaps, dash due to ignition switch, steering column due to ignition switch, rear valence due to backup lights, release cables on hood and deck lid.
Obviously no stingray badge, no vent chrome, just flags on the gas cap and nose. Gas door frame doesnt have a spring, just detents,
Checking some part suppliers catalogs can make it easy to check too.

Steering wheel is 67-68

loup68

I can add that they changed the cast chrome windshield header ends. The 68's are flatter on top than the 69-76? one's. Also my curved upper outer windshield SS trim has ends that are more curved than later 68-up one's. The 68's SS top header trim does NOT have any holes in it. What possessed GM to add four screw holes to the trim in 69 ? Is that to let water in? I think that the 68's have the most car changes between two consecutive years of any car in history. Anyone mention one year only front spindle, due to the smaller 63-67 front wheel bearings? Anyone mention the coupes interior sail panel lights. The list is never ending. 44 Year 68 coupe ownership tomorrow!!! Lou.

marshal135

As a June of '68 built car owner, I can say they changed some things the following year as a cost cutting measure.
The early '68's were parts clean up of left over '67 parts early on.
The steering wheel which was mentioned in an earlier thread and the emergency brake lever.
With new anti-theft measures implemented in '69 GM was forced to reinforce and redesign the ignition switch.
My June of '68 car has the reinforced frame gussets so the rolling changes occurred while in production.
I have low seat back releases as well. GM used what ever was in the parts bin till the stock was expired.
I kinda chuckle when I hear a self proclaimed expert at a car show explain how GM did things.
I worked at a GM parts department while in college.
Numbers were superseded mid year for very minor revisions in a part and were interspersed with old stock on our shelves.
I grabbed the next box on the shelf when I worked there without for thought of using the old stock first.
How one can judge a car with specific month/year born on parts still baffles me to date.
Even a car with 46,000 miles on it today went in for servicing and warranty work more than likely. I'd be willing to bet most power window cars out there have had their window switches replaced and possibly the motors. They just didn't last. We did allot of window switches when I worked there.
The sail interior lights on my 68 coupe are really cool.
In 69 they cheeped out and made the light on the coupes the same as the convertibles.
There just wasn't as much love for these cars new as there is a passion by us owners today.
Most assembly line workers were more worried about 4:00pm.
Just Sayin,
Marshal

marshal135

Congrats Lou,
That is quite an accomplishment with all life's up and downs.
Most of us don't get to keep our young male toys through out life's bumps and grinds. My 340 Duster went by the way side when I left for the Marines.

Easy Mike

In what way? With the exception of the running gear and engine line up, I'm not aware of leftover 67 parts showing up on 68s.

By 4:00 PM at St. Louis, the second shift had been working for an hour and would work on through until midnight.

Richard Daugird

Any pics of the sail panel with the lights? Can I modify my '74 coupe and install them? Not worried about it being stock; I already plan on using early '68 door panels.

Rescue Rogers

Steering wheel, parking brake.....

marshal135

Hey Mike on the shifts I stand corrected but I was being a little sarcastic too.
You know the old expression it must have been a Friday at 4pm assembly.
It is my understanding a 1967 body will drop right on our '68 frames.
The steering wheel and hand brake share the same cars in 1967 and 1968.
I like the leg room better in a '68.
Marshal

loup68

Adam, the 63-67 body mounts are in different locations than a 68...I am almost certain about that. C-2 owners correct me if I am wrong. The 67 Corvette has the brake handle in the center because it was suppose to be the new car! GM had too many problems, especially changing the car from a Targa one piece roof, to inventing the first T-top for the coupes, instead.
And thank you very much' Adam. It has been a long and rough road all of these years. Newbies should read my CF general post " A long time chrome bumper owner speaks ".
I sold my three year and three month old 69 Camaro with 52,000 miles on it, to get my year older, four year old 68 coupe. I loved my 69 Camaro, but I can't believe that they are worth more than my 68 Corvette! There is NO comparison driving the two. It took cars over twenty years to catch up to the way my "beater" handles curves. Lou.

loup68

Also, I feel that the 68's were America's first modern car. I have people sit in my coupe and I ask them if they didn't know, would they think that they were sitting in an old car. Everyone say's no. The whole soft, molded interior could not be found on any other cars in the 60's and 70's. They had hard metal dashes with a hunk of rubber on top and flat cardboard door panels with an arm rest screwed on the side! Lou.