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68 One Year Only Features?

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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 07:04 PM
  #1  
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Default 68 One Year Only Features?

I'll be looking at a 68 vert for a friend tomorrow. The friend knows nothing about corvettes except he thinks $10K is a great deal. I'll reserve judgement until I've had a chance to look it over. I had a 70 I restored a few years back so I know most of the things to look for. I'll take the black book with me as well.

I know the door handles were one year only. Can someone tell me what other parts were one year only and/or are not reproduced?

Thanks,

Bill
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 07:19 PM
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Last year for the ignition switch on dash
Seperate backup lights under rear bumpers
No map pocket
Wheel rims 7 inch wide
Last year for the 327 small block
Interior door panels differ from 69's
Door handles with push button
Steering wheel 1 inch larger dia than a 69 simulated wood
just like the 67 model year
Seat belts do not retract
Earlier cars do not have the extra frame support (kickups in rear)
sometime during 68 production they were added to stiffen the frame
Regulator external to alternator located on left inner fender
Coupes Only 2 rear domes lights located behind the seats, 69's just have one
Cant think of anything else at the moment.

Last edited by 601P; Sep 15, 2005 at 09:12 PM.
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 08:19 PM
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Seats are short. No built in head rest extension.

The door skin door pull is easy to detect. Get in it and try to close the door If you can it isn't a 68. Not unless you find it.

No console engine info.
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 08:23 PM
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Default 68 Vette

Just finished a 68 here are a few more.

1. Radiator Core Support a 1 year wonder.
2. Steering Box is diff that a 69.
3. No tilt or tele steering col.
4. Radiator same as a 67 not a 69.

I am sure there are more. Good luck looking
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by 66CorvetteCoupe
Just finished a 68 here are a few more.

1. Radiator Core Support a 1 year wonder.
2. Steering Box is diff that a 69.
3. No tilt or tele steering col.
4. Radiator same as a 67 not a 69.

I am sure there are more. Good luck looking

Option N36 telescopic steering column 6477 units
no tilt I have it on my 68....

Last edited by 601P; Sep 15, 2005 at 08:41 PM.
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 09:01 PM
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inner fenders
Convert guide pin locators
Top windshield reveal mld
Radiator if not mentioned
inside door handles, if not mentioned
Hood and hood latches and inside hood release cable
seats backs because of the seat release mechanism, also seat covers
4 tailights are identical
Sun visors...different weave in the fabric
Sun visor hardware
Dash pad
pillar and header moldings
Gague bezel

all I can think of...all are 68 only and to complicate matters, there are early and late 68 parts and those are different

Last edited by GDaina; Sep 15, 2005 at 09:05 PM.
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 09:13 PM
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Thanks for the replies folks. I'll post back tomorrow with my evaluation and solicit your opinions.

Hi George. Nice to see your still hanging out on the c3 side. After I sold my 70 I was vetteless until this April when I picked up an 03 Z06. If I can convince my wife to give up her side of the garage another c3 could be in the future.

Regards,

Bill
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 09:15 PM
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The wiper cover has knotches cut out in the front underside for clearance. This was deleted in 69. The wiper washer spray tubes are different. The 68 headlight covers were slightly larger than 69. The center dash radio and gauge bezel has a ruff surface on a 68 and smooth on a 69. The upper dash pad has no speakers on a 68 and then added on the 69. The radio ***** in a 68 has a large single rib in the center of the ****. The tongs which hold the flags on the gas door on a 68 were peened flat.
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 09:56 PM
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1 year only style latches for pop-out rear window
2 inch exhaust pipes...even on 427-435's!
1 year frame
1 year only door glass and regulator
No "Stingray" script on fenders
Small front spindle/bearings (like 67)

I need to look at my 68's..there are more...
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 10:43 PM
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wiper override switch
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 11:01 PM
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If the car is in good shape $10K for a '68 Vert is BEYOND a "good deal".
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 11:02 PM
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Originally Posted by big_G
2 inch exhaust pipes...even on 427-435's!
2.5" in 68. I believe they reverted to 2" in 69.


1968 brake light switch (under dash) is a one year only part.
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 11:21 PM
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My bad, you are correct...I was thinking of my 69 435
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 06:33 AM
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Bill, where have you been keeping yourself these years?
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 07:10 AM
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George - I had to sell the 70 a few years ago when I lost my job. Recently things got a little better so I bought the Z06. So I've been hanging out in the C5 section recently. I was so depressed about selling the car that I just stopped dealing with anything corvette related for 2 years or so. Then the forum changed format and I had to re-regester. I still have a few boxes of original parts in the attic, although most of the good stuff I sold. Regards. Bill
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 09:35 AM
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Parking brake console has pockets for seat belts.
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 09:40 AM
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Add:
Cats whiskers window seals
Windshield wiper mount assembly
Wiper door valve (none)
Can wiper door actuator and connector
Rear brake lines (top inlet on caliper)
Tach cable
Door latches and those trim rings
Seat latch location
Dash pad (ignition switch)
Gauge console
Vent *****
Fender louvers
Stingray badge (none)
Interior door panels
Left side exhaust manifold (alternator mount)
Reverse light switch
Backup light/rear valance
Wood steering wheel
Console belt pockets
Wheels
Side windows
Neutral lockout switch
Radiator/shroud, etc
Turn signal switch
visors
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To 68 One Year Only Features?

Old Sep 16, 2005 | 09:59 AM
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I don't think anybody mentioned the missing console data plate, in lieu of the crossed flags.

I'm pretty sure the center gauge bezel is smooth in 68 and textured in 69+

Something about heat shields or splash shields on the firewall and under the seats?

Chrome shift **** on S/T cars?

Rear window defrost option?

There WERE retractors on the lap belts at some point in 68. Mine (mid-March build) had them.

That brings up another interesting twist... My car has both early AND late parts, since it was smack in the middle of the production year.

The turn signal switch is very expensive and hard to find. (I used one for a 68 Bonneville) The washer nozzles are extremely expensive and impossible to find. (I made my own)
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 10:15 AM
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Radio ***** are one year only, lots of weatherstrip differences with later vettes though some of the changes did not occur till mid 69.
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 10:35 AM
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Just about anything that is on the 68 that is one year only is reproduced. Even the radio *****

But there are 2 items I can assure that arent reproduced:

1. Shift plate console. And the little crossed flags on the bottom. But even then, I have found many a 68 console plate before in piles of 68 later console plates at Vette swap meets

2. Inner door lock mechanisms
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