Why not buy a '68
05-22-2007, 07:49 PM
#21
Melting Slicks
I love my 68 and have had it since 1972.
The bad stuff that was written about the 68 in 68 was based on very early production run cars and everyone remembers that BUT what no one seems to remember is that the very same magazines that criticized the early 68 Corvette, reran the test with later model run 68s and they gave it high praise and loved it but people don't mention that part.
The car received a bad rep as a result. The problems they found in the early 68 will most likely have been cured long ago by a previous owner if they even ever existed on the particular car you are looking at.
I prefer the 68 over the 69 because it is the first year and unique and historically first and last years of a model run have always been worth more than the interim years.
Kurt
The bad stuff that was written about the 68 in 68 was based on very early production run cars and everyone remembers that BUT what no one seems to remember is that the very same magazines that criticized the early 68 Corvette, reran the test with later model run 68s and they gave it high praise and loved it but people don't mention that part.
The car received a bad rep as a result. The problems they found in the early 68 will most likely have been cured long ago by a previous owner if they even ever existed on the particular car you are looking at.
I prefer the 68 over the 69 because it is the first year and unique and historically first and last years of a model run have always been worth more than the interim years.
Kurt
05-22-2007, 08:37 PM
#22
NOooo!! don't buy a '68. Absolutely the worst car ever made on this planet or any other. Listen to all the idiots. Read obsolete magazine articles. Understand that any problems from 39 years ago must still be in the car today. 
Beat me to it, Kurt. However, I have decided that so many base a buying bias on one stupid article and a lot of hearsay, usually from people who have never owned one, that there is no point in trying to convince them otherwise.
Just help them realize that the '68 is the absolutely worse car ever built. More undesirable than an Edsel or a '65 Studebaker. All '68s are so bad, they should just crush every one of them for scrap metal.
I love my 68 and have had it since 1972.
The bad stuff that was written about the 68 in 68 was based on very early production run cars and everyone remembers that BUT what no one seems to remember is that the very same magazines that criticized the early 68 Corvette, reran the test with later model run 68s and they gave it high praise and loved it but people don't mention that part.
The car received a bad rep as a result. The problems they found in the early 68 will most likely have been cured long ago by a previous owner if they even ever existed on the particular car you are looking at.
I prefer the 68 over the 69 because it is the first year and unique and historically first and last years of a model run have always been worth more than the interim years.
Kurt
The bad stuff that was written about the 68 in 68 was based on very early production run cars and everyone remembers that BUT what no one seems to remember is that the very same magazines that criticized the early 68 Corvette, reran the test with later model run 68s and they gave it high praise and loved it but people don't mention that part.
The car received a bad rep as a result. The problems they found in the early 68 will most likely have been cured long ago by a previous owner if they even ever existed on the particular car you are looking at.
I prefer the 68 over the 69 because it is the first year and unique and historically first and last years of a model run have always been worth more than the interim years.
Kurt
Just help them realize that the '68 is the absolutely worse car ever built. More undesirable than an Edsel or a '65 Studebaker. All '68s are so bad, they should just crush every one of them for scrap metal.
05-22-2007, 08:51 PM
#23
Le Mans Master
69's are real trendy...I agree, everyone wants a 69 (get your mind out of the gutter), but I've had my 68 for 21 yrs. Yes, there are a bunch of one year only parts, but that's where the fun comes in. I will guarantee plenty of "original' 69's have parts on them off early 70's cars because they are interchangable. Do a 68 right and its a real prize.
05-23-2007, 08:12 AM
#24
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Thanx a bunch guys. 
Your opinions help a whole lot and has made my decision a less stressful one. Now I just just have to decide if this is the right car for me (I think so) and double check the budget.
and get more info of course. I may need to get a fellow forum member to possibly check the car out for me as it is all the way across country from me. May request this later.
Thanx again,
shmoky
Your opinions help a whole lot and has made my decision a less stressful one. Now I just just have to decide if this is the right car for me (I think so) and double check the budget. and get more info of course. I may need to get a fellow forum member to possibly check the car out for me as it is all the way across country from me. May request this later.Thanx again,
shmoky
05-23-2007, 12:03 PM
#25
Administrator
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The '68 I had was easily the worst mechanically of any of the 15 I've had. That was in the late '70s. I have also dealt with Corvette-only dealers that shy away from '68s for that reason. '68 owners scream when I say that, but there is truth to it.
However, nowadays I don't think it is at all relevant. The cars are old enough to have been gone through and debugged, and are not any worse than any other old car. I would not hesitate to buy one now if it was the right car.
However, nowadays I don't think it is at all relevant. The cars are old enough to have been gone through and debugged, and are not any worse than any other old car. I would not hesitate to buy one now if it was the right car.
05-23-2007, 12:25 PM
#26
Racer
I have a late build 68, approx build date 8-68, even has yellow front marker lights (dated 68) and it has shoulder belts.
05-23-2007, 12:31 PM
#27
Drifting
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Last night on ESPN2(?) the had a rerun of a RM/Hagerty Auction that took place in 2006. In it, they followed a red 327 '68 convertible to the block. In his comments Alain DeCadinet(sp?) mentioned that '68's were not a desireable model as there were to many early producton problems that plagued the car, yada, yada, yada. Then you wonder why the myth is still floating around. BTW the car sold for 26K.
05-23-2007, 01:46 PM
#28
Drifting
My 68 L36 roadster was one of the tightest C3's I have ever driven. I really loved the car, and my oldest son loved it more. I think he still resents me for selling it.
05-25-2007, 10:09 PM
#29
Melting Slicks
I'm currently looking to buy a 69 convertible, never even considering a 68 due to the one year only parts, smaller wheels, 68 oddities, and reputation, but a nicely optioned 68 has surfaced. I may take a look. I quess the oddities also make it unique.
Seems that 68's sale for less than comparable 69's. Opinions?
Were dealer installed side pipes available in 68?
Seems that 68's sale for less than comparable 69's. Opinions?
Were dealer installed side pipes available in 68?
05-25-2007, 11:40 PM
#30
Race Director
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I'm currently looking to buy a 69 convertible, never even considering a 68 due to the one year only parts, smaller wheels, 68 oddities, and reputation, but a nicely optioned 68 has surfaced. I may take a look. I quess the oddities also make it unique.
Seems that 68's sale for less than comparable 69's. Opinions?
Were dealer installed side pipes available in 68?
Seems that 68's sale for less than comparable 69's. Opinions?
Were dealer installed side pipes available in 68?
If the 7" wheels bother you, put 8" on...not a big deal.
The one year only parts matter if you wreck the car...and have to rebuild it...other than that, the parts are a moot point. I don't know you guys keep harping on one year only parts...it's a non issue.
05-25-2007, 11:49 PM
#31
I always love the comments about the wheels. Finally, someone says it like it is. It is only 20 lug nuts guys, separating you from 8 inch wheels.
05-26-2007, 11:21 AM
#35
Burning Brakes
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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
In 68 there are two models: early 68 (only first 3 month produce) & late 68.
I have the early 68 #s mach and made a frame off restoration 6 years ago over seas so every thing is possible.
I have the early 68 #s mach and made a frame off restoration 6 years ago over seas so every thing is possible.
05-26-2007, 05:38 PM
#37
Racer
I went to the corvette show here in Sarasota a couple of weeks ago, place was full of vettes , all years, but not one 68 in the whole bunch. I would look real close at the 68 if I were you 
05-26-2007, 11:35 PM
#38
Team Owner
As you will see, most 68 owners learn to really LOVE their 68s! I sure do, and I am glad I own it.
However, I always tell prospective new 68 owners that they should only buy it IF they have a lot of self confidence and they have a thick skin. If you are the type of personality that needs other people to tell you what a great car you have (as opposed to knowing yourself what is a great car) or if you are going to get all upset if a corvette "expert" tells you that 68s were crap... then don't buy one!!
I sure do, and I am glad I own it. However, I always tell prospective new 68 owners that they should only buy it IF they have a lot of self confidence and they have a thick skin. If you are the type of personality that needs other people to tell you what a great car you have (as opposed to knowing yourself what is a great car) or if you are going to get all upset if a corvette "expert" tells you that 68s were crap... then don't buy one!!
05-27-2007, 06:02 AM
#39
Burning Brakes
As you will see, most 68 owners learn to really LOVE their 68s! I sure do, and I am glad I own it.
However, I always tell prospective new 68 owners that they should only buy it IF they have a lot of self confidence and they have a thick skin. If you are the type of personality that needs other people to tell you what a great car you have (as opposed to knowing yourself what is a great car) or if you are going to get all upset if a corvette "expert" tells you that 68s were crap... then don't buy one!!
I sure do, and I am glad I own it. However, I always tell prospective new 68 owners that they should only buy it IF they have a lot of self confidence and they have a thick skin. If you are the type of personality that needs other people to tell you what a great car you have (as opposed to knowing yourself what is a great car) or if you are going to get all upset if a corvette "expert" tells you that 68s were crap... then don't buy one!!
