markdtn

I like the 69 with key on column. Also slimmer doorpanels so there is a bit more shoulder room. I like the fender louvers too although they can be added to a 68.

71rdster

68 was a nice year, but the poor quality rap I think had more to do with first design versus 2nd design. For the restorer, 2nd design became the defacto replacement for first design c3 parts (68 vs 69) . Correct restoration on 68's is harder, but if you aren't an NCRS or Bloomington Gold kind of guy enjoy a not so correctly restored 68 fixed like you want it.

Orville

Paul Borowski

...I have two votes for '68s.

matchframe

You know, I thought about this today and if there were a 68 and 69 Vette side by side with similar deals, I would buy the 68.

I came to this conclusion because the 69 seems to be the most sought after one of the 2; therefore I would choose the 68 to be different. Any design issues or flaws (if any) can be dealt with.

What brought me to this conclusion is if I were in the position to buy a 68 or 69 Camaro, I would always choose the 68 for the same reason. I have owned both 68 and 69 Camaros, and really like the 68 better.

Just my opinion.


www.bigdogvettes.com

98vert6spd

WHAT DO YOU MEAN 68 ISNT A STING RAY?

what makes a sting ray and what doesnt?

I really dont know

LS WON

I own a 2005 C-6 coupe with 3.15's with Magnetic Ride Suspension

RHD '68 L89

Have you heard the quote from Fawlty Towers, "Don't mention the war" ?

63-67 Vettes were badged as "Corvette Sting Ray"
68 Vettes were badged as "Corvette" only
69-76 Vettes were badged as "Corvette Stingray"
Some are adamant that the factory referred to 68's as Sting Rays and should be called that.
Step away sir, step away now.

69396Chevy

Bought my first vette this year, wanted a C3 and got me a gorgeous Red with black top & interior 4spd 68. Absolutley love it . . . all the so called problems with 68s are gone when the car is restored but yes some things are definitely a pain in the rear to find but oh well . . . thats all part of the hobby right??

98vert6spd

damn i thiught they were all stingrays

well in my mind they are all sting rays

JIMS1970VETTE

I myself would go with the 69 as I worked in a corvette shop and if you could find the parts (which some are for the 68 only) you paid more for them as well as the other items mentioned in the previous threads, good luck

Cali,68,L-79

68's quirks are mainly just in people's minds. I've spent maybe $500 more on parts in a 68 versus 69 price wise comparison (basically negligible). This is by far the fastest and most reliable Vette i've owned so far (70L-46, 77L-82, 68L-79) Once I get the 5-speed in it's all done.

tonyd21266

let me add my 2 cents worth

i have had a 68 I called it the freak as it is an oddball with all kinds of things that were in transision or were just wrong and hey man those door handles and push button were the stupidist things ever. It aint to bad to look at but those handeles! Try getting out of the car those other handles the 68 is a mut but then again that is some of its mysique i have had a few 69 s my ol mans was nice a nice tri vert every thing was more refined but take it on the highway and it needed a paint job cause of the fender s lack of flaring


hey get what ever you want but do not rule out a 70

it right before emissions and all the kinks are worked out

if i had my choice of the 3 cars i spoke of purely stock all around I would take the 70

man it doesnt matter what you get try to stay away from a t top


take care

stepinup

go for the 69,the radiators are bigger in 69 then 68 bb cars,I here alot of people with 68 bb cars having overheating problems

wildman378

We went after a 68 over the 69..however 68 and 69 are our favorite years due to they're the only 2 years not to have the fender flares and egg crate gills etc... (I love 70-72 too just perfer 68-69)

68 and 69 have actual gills and offer the 427 turbo jet engines and had higher compression that 71 and later they also have the muncie 4sp instead of the borg.

ok about the stingray deal, the 68 IS a stingray it even calls it stingray and has it printed on the front of the magazines about the ALL NEW 1968 CORVETTE STINGRAY.. the reason they didn't put the stingray badge on the 68 was because they felt the all new c3 design was SO differernt from the 63-67 sting rays that it shouldn't have the same name but people bitched they wanted it on there so sure enough they put it back on in 69...all 68-76 vettes are stingrays do your research if you disagree.

either you buy you will be happy they're 95% the same flippin car but here are the 68 up's

68 up's: first year for c3, have larger 2.5" exhaust, KEY ON THE DASH!, sleeker interior without the kangaroo pouch, the cool push button door handles, the corvette flags on the console, WOOD looking steering wheel which gives it that 60's look.

here is my dads all original 68 427/390 4sp at a local car show we took it to IMO if your getting a 68 or 69 your getting the right years.

pionexxxx

69 has the highest production number by far and 68's will gain in value due to their one year only differences i have a 68 and lvoe it

GrandSportC3

If the car is already restored, it doesn't matter.. '68 and '69 are almost identical.. If a car needs restoration, the '69 would be cheaper to restore because of less one year only parts...

StickShiftCorvette

Both are great cars, however the subtle changes to the '69 suit my personal tastes better: headlight washers, engine ID plate, fender louvers, fender script, column mounted ignition key, flush flipper door handles, passenger side map pocket, and single tail lights. I think the '68 and '69 look better than the later ones, however if you must have total stock, the '70 LT-1 is the best stock driving combination (OK, a ZL-1 is better, but for stock you have to find one of two built!).

LS WON

By now everything should be fixed. Just get the Corvette that is in the best condition.

darrentpi

I love both, I wish the 69 had dash ignition, but that is about all, they are virtually identical cars, with few cosmetic differences and suspention components that are a little different.
All in all they are both the best looking of the bunch.
I own a 69 435/hp, which I was very fortunate to find, and I love to drive it, but I find when I take it out for a burn I find it so aggresive to drive, my cruzes are always short lived. I think I enjoy starring at the car in the garage every time I need to go to the garage for what ever reason. I also notice every time I take the car out for a sunday burn, I never see other classic cars driving around, always when I drive my work truck I tend to see all kinds of classics out there.
I guess I need more friends to share my love of corvettes and classic cars!
Darren

CGGorman

What does your heart say and what is your purpose in buying the car? The two are so close as to make no difference for most. Like Corey, I prefer to be a little different, so 68 quirks suit me well. I especially like the ignition. Collectible value could vary in ten more years. That's market driven. Heck, the 73 could end up being the most valuable model year...

Me, I'd buy the one with the FIVE speed.