68 One Year Only Features?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
Well, I just finished looking at the car. I was hoping to find a diamond in the rough. Instead, I just found rough.
The cars vin tells me it was built very early maybe October of 67. The body has been painted a champaigne color in urethane. It doesn't have the original engine. The entire interior is gutted but it appears that it had a beige interior. The guy does have a lot of NOS parts for it but it was hard to see everything since the parts are scattered all over his house. Also, the trim plate is missing. Still has two T-3 headlights in it. Frame looks to be in decent shape. Almost looks like it was coated with the stuff they use for truck bed liners. It has leather seats in bad shape with very rusty sealt tracks. Sealt belts are horrible. The covertible top fame need restoration.
The gent is pretty old and maybe not completely with it, so some of my questins went unanswered. Basically, its in need of a complete restoration except for the paint (unless you wanted an original color). It does appear that all the parts are there.
Personnaly, I'd use it as a donor car. No way I see to get it in decent running shape with out losing your shirt money wise. Not even close.
Thanks for all the helpful comments.
Bill
The cars vin tells me it was built very early maybe October of 67. The body has been painted a champaigne color in urethane. It doesn't have the original engine. The entire interior is gutted but it appears that it had a beige interior. The guy does have a lot of NOS parts for it but it was hard to see everything since the parts are scattered all over his house. Also, the trim plate is missing. Still has two T-3 headlights in it. Frame looks to be in decent shape. Almost looks like it was coated with the stuff they use for truck bed liners. It has leather seats in bad shape with very rusty sealt tracks. Sealt belts are horrible. The covertible top fame need restoration.
The gent is pretty old and maybe not completely with it, so some of my questins went unanswered. Basically, its in need of a complete restoration except for the paint (unless you wanted an original color). It does appear that all the parts are there.
Personnaly, I'd use it as a donor car. No way I see to get it in decent running shape with out losing your shirt money wise. Not even close.
Thanks for all the helpful comments.
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,408
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Originally Posted by CGGorman
Rear window defrost option?
There WERE retractors on the lap belts at some point in 68. Mine (mid-March build) had them.
The washer nozzles are extremely expensive and impossible to find. (I made my own)
There WERE retractors on the lap belts at some point in 68. Mine (mid-March build) had them.
The washer nozzles are extremely expensive and impossible to find. (I made my own)
..............................
Also, the 68 Master Cylinder has bleeder's built into to it. I think means you can bleed the master cylinder in the car. The distribution block is unique for 68. (I'm pretty sure).
On a Convertible, the rear compartment "dome" light is just a simple bare light bulb at the left side of the compartment.
The 68 front turn signals are clear plastic with a yellow light bulb. On the 69, I think they are yellow plastic with a clear light bulb inside.
The windshield wiper motor and vacuum solenoid/valve layouts are unique to 68.l
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 7
From: Coralville Iowa
Wiper door molding had no screws on the side. (Added in 69) How about the vacuum controls for the headlights, it only had one solenoid, where in subsequent years I believe it was had 2.
Did anyone forget the lack of chrome side gills? How about the new radiator re-coring that happened in 69?
BTW My early 68 Coupe had retractors for the outside 1/2 of the seatbelt with shoulder belt option and my late 68 vert had retractors as well. The buckle side of both were fixed. Both were shot and I replace them with new. Imagine that.
I wouldn't trade my 68 vert for the moon.
Dave
Did anyone forget the lack of chrome side gills? How about the new radiator re-coring that happened in 69?
BTW My early 68 Coupe had retractors for the outside 1/2 of the seatbelt with shoulder belt option and my late 68 vert had retractors as well. The buckle side of both were fixed. Both were shot and I replace them with new. Imagine that.
I wouldn't trade my 68 vert for the moon.
Dave
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 182
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by 68/70Vette
Interresting. My car was manufactured May 17, 1968 and does not have retractable lap belts. And about the windshield washers; in case some readers haven't seen them they are basically little tubes that flatted at the spray end. They are mounted on the wiper door (underneath).
..............................
Also, the 68 Master Cylinder has bleeder's built into to it. I think means you can bleed the master cylinder in the car. The distribution block is unique for 68. (I'm pretty sure).
On a Convertible, the rear compartment "dome" light is just a simple bare light bulb at the left side of the compartment.
The 68 front turn signals are clear plastic with a yellow light bulb. On the 69, I think they are yellow plastic with a clear light bulb inside.
The windshield wiper motor and vacuum solenoid/valve layouts are unique to 68.l
..............................
Also, the 68 Master Cylinder has bleeder's built into to it. I think means you can bleed the master cylinder in the car. The distribution block is unique for 68. (I'm pretty sure).
On a Convertible, the rear compartment "dome" light is just a simple bare light bulb at the left side of the compartment.
The 68 front turn signals are clear plastic with a yellow light bulb. On the 69, I think they are yellow plastic with a clear light bulb inside.
The windshield wiper motor and vacuum solenoid/valve layouts are unique to 68.l
My car has the original lap belts and shouder harness car was built
in aug 68 last 2 weeks of production my belts do not retract either.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
68 did have telescope wheel but not tilt. I have had my 68 coupe since 1972 as second owner and it has telescope wheel.
Also has the factory headrests which were an optional item from the factory. Mine was built May 10, 1968
Also has the factory headrests which were an optional item from the factory. Mine was built May 10, 1968
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
MelvinJ,
The lenses for the interior courtesy lights on the left and right pillar of the coupe are also extremely difficult to find and no one to my knowledge reproduces them I spent years before I found 2 new ones and I found them right here on this forum.
Kurt
The lenses for the interior courtesy lights on the left and right pillar of the coupe are also extremely difficult to find and no one to my knowledge reproduces them I spent years before I found 2 new ones and I found them right here on this forum.
Kurt
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
68/70 vette,
My 68 coupe built on May 10, 1968 also had the seat belt retractors mounted under the seat. Mine were rusted and seized and I cannot remember where I put them as they were removed long ago and now I am finishing the resto and need them. Guess I will be calling SnakeOyl for a new set and mortgaging my house to get them.
My 68 coupe built on May 10, 1968 also had the seat belt retractors mounted under the seat. Mine were rusted and seized and I cannot remember where I put them as they were removed long ago and now I am finishing the resto and need them. Guess I will be calling SnakeOyl for a new set and mortgaging my house to get them.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 700
Likes: 1
get that 68, 68 and 69 are and will continue to be the most sought after chrome bumper cars, the 68 is expected to be the most valueable chrome bumper c3 years to come and acutally it and the 69 are now unless you have a base 68 compared to a bb or something 70, but year wise they're supposed to be because OF it's differences yet looks same as 69.
buy it buy it buy it! if you don't in 10 years you will be sorry....i have 2 68's now it's my favorite year!
buy it buy it buy it! if you don't in 10 years you will be sorry....i have 2 68's now it's my favorite year!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
Pionexxxx:
Unless you have a L-88, 1968 will not be the most valuable model year. 1969 will rank no 1, then 1968, then 1971.
Because the most valuable models will be ZL-1, L-88, LS-6, during the early shark years.
Unless you have a L-88, 1968 will not be the most valuable model year. 1969 will rank no 1, then 1968, then 1971.
Because the most valuable models will be ZL-1, L-88, LS-6, during the early shark years.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: North Alabama
I read an article that said 63 and 68 are years to watch because of huge upward potential...dont recall the articles author...and maybe they had a marketing agenda, but nonetheless, I think early in this post the guy said he could get it for $10K...at that price, if it runs, you cant go wrong.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
Originally Posted by early shark
Pionexxxx:
Unless you have a L-88, 1968 will not be the most valuable model year. 1969 will rank no 1, then 1968, then 1971.
Because the most valuable models will be ZL-1, L-88, LS-6, during the early shark years.
Unless you have a L-88, 1968 will not be the most valuable model year. 1969 will rank no 1, then 1968, then 1971.
Because the most valuable models will be ZL-1, L-88, LS-6, during the early shark years.
just my thought. maybe 70 instead of 71 due to low numbers made
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Historically and based on fact, the first and last years of a model run have always been more desireable even if they had quirks and shortcomings. Remember the 63 split window that everybody complained about? I wouldn't complain if I had one today, neither would my investment banker.
.......... 
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: North Alabama
Originally Posted by ksbunting
Vettepilot68,
Have you any pictures of that L79 engine compartment?
Would like to see them for comparison as I am finishing up my 68 coupe L79 and always willing to learn.
Thanks
Kurt
Have you any pictures of that L79 engine compartment?
Would like to see them for comparison as I am finishing up my 68 coupe L79 and always willing to learn.
Thanks
Kurt
Currently the engine is out of the car. I hope to have it back in soonest...but if there are some particulars you want to see pics of, let me know and I will take them. I will email you some other good pics I have come across of the L79.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,157
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FLA
Originally Posted by early shark
Pionexxxx:
Unless you have a L-88, 1968 will not be the most valuable model year. 1969 will rank no 1, then 1968, then 1971.
Because the most valuable models will be ZL-1, L-88, LS-6, during the early shark years.
Unless you have a L-88, 1968 will not be the most valuable model year. 1969 will rank no 1, then 1968, then 1971.
Because the most valuable models will be ZL-1, L-88, LS-6, during the early shark years.
