'68-69 Differences
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 14
From: Vacaville, CA
'68-69 Differences
I know the basic differences between the two model years; Door Latch(s), Reverse Lights, Side Gill openings, Reverse Lights, Rear Frame strut, Ignition Key, Door Panels, etc...
I also read in a book somewhere that the front edge of the hoods are not as stiff on the '68's since GM put a stiffener in the hood for '69 and up...
But, I have never heard this;
People have gotten used to looking at C3s with old sagging springs. They are supposed to have a few inches of clearance over the tires. You should have about 8 to 8.5 inches from the ground to the bottom of the frame at the front and rear of each door. The 68's especially had to have a little more clearance because GM changed the fenders over the wheels in 69 on because of complaints of the tires hitting the fiberglass and taking chunks out.
Can anyone confirm or deny this???
I also read in a book somewhere that the front edge of the hoods are not as stiff on the '68's since GM put a stiffener in the hood for '69 and up...
But, I have never heard this;
People have gotten used to looking at C3s with old sagging springs. They are supposed to have a few inches of clearance over the tires. You should have about 8 to 8.5 inches from the ground to the bottom of the frame at the front and rear of each door. The 68's especially had to have a little more clearance because GM changed the fenders over the wheels in 69 on because of complaints of the tires hitting the fiberglass and taking chunks out.
Can anyone confirm or deny this???
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Show me a cold beer and I will show you a happy man Maryland
I know that they did change the fenders but have never heard it was because of chunks getting ripped out. the only difference I thought was that at the bottom of fenders they flared them out, this was to limit stuff being kicked out by tires I thought.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Proper ride heights are measured in the suspension geometry, and referred to as the Z and D heights. Body height above the tires and such are only a result of these dimensions. Reference the AIM for the year model in questions to see what the specific measurements should be for any particular C3.
I've heard the same rumor about fender clearancing on various years, but can't confirm it other than during the '78 model year when the factory did indeed trim the inner lip of the fender to clear 265's when they were optioned.
Huge difference from '68 to '69 was the addition of the substantial frame gusset at the rear kick-up. Suppose they could be added, but the NCRS crowd (
) would have a fit, even though it would be a sensible improvement for a driver.
The poor build quality for which the '68 was notorious can be addressed by any attentive owner. Thus, I don't believe the first shark should be shuned by the C3 family.
I've heard the same rumor about fender clearancing on various years, but can't confirm it other than during the '78 model year when the factory did indeed trim the inner lip of the fender to clear 265's when they were optioned.
Huge difference from '68 to '69 was the addition of the substantial frame gusset at the rear kick-up. Suppose they could be added, but the NCRS crowd (
) would have a fit, even though it would be a sensible improvement for a driver.The poor build quality for which the '68 was notorious can be addressed by any attentive owner. Thus, I don't believe the first shark should be shuned by the C3 family.
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Aug 8, 2007 at 01:52 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
68,69 front fenders are the same. The 68s had a tendency to sag at the front of the hood opening. In 69 there was a bracket attached to the innerfender and the header bar that stiffened up the front end.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
looks like this
there were no differences in fenders from 68 to 69, and the gills were identical, though in 69 they added the chrome inserts, and in 70 they added the flares
one year 68 only items also included
one year wiper motor, unique wiring harness, wiper o'ride light, no egine ID badge on center console, door panels unique to year (slightly wider), and door pull handle added later in the year, rocker panel moulding unique, passenger dash had no map pockets, one year only large journal 327 crank and pistons, wiper vaccum canster large coffe can design, head light assembly differences, 7 in rims.... the list goes on
about 54 total unique 68 items last time we counted, both major and minor
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
A couple of those are NOT one-year unique:
Wiper vacuum "coffee can" - was carried over to the '69 models. Change to the "pie pan" version was in the "late production" '69 models.
Rocker panel molding - same 2 piece set for 68-69
Wiper vacuum "coffee can" - was carried over to the '69 models. Change to the "pie pan" version was in the "late production" '69 models.
Rocker panel molding - same 2 piece set for 68-69
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,295
Likes: 357
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Proper ride heights are measured in the suspension geometry, and referred to as the Z and D heights. Body height above the tires and such are only a result of these dimensions. Reference the AIM for the year model in questions to see what the specific measurements should be for any particular C3.
I've heard the same rumor about fender clearancing on various years, but can't confirm it other than during the '78 model year when the factory did indeed trim the inner lip of the fender to clear 265's when they were optioned.
Huge difference from '68 to '69 was the addition of the substantial frame gusset at the rear kick-up. Suppose they could be added, but the NCRS crowd () would have a fit, even though it would be a sensible improvement for a driver.
The poor build quality for which the '68 was notorious can be addressed by any attentive owner. Thus, I don't believe the first shark should be shuned by the C3 family.
I've heard the same rumor about fender clearancing on various years, but can't confirm it other than during the '78 model year when the factory did indeed trim the inner lip of the fender to clear 265's when they were optioned.
Huge difference from '68 to '69 was the addition of the substantial frame gusset at the rear kick-up. Suppose they could be added, but the NCRS crowd (
) would have a fit, even though it would be a sensible improvement for a driver.The poor build quality for which the '68 was notorious can be addressed by any attentive owner. Thus, I don't believe the first shark should be shuned by the C3 family.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
And the changes sometimes get more complicated than that. The "coffie can" itself had a 1/4 inch shaft on the 68 and that was changed to 5/16 in 69. So they look the same but are really not. You could write a book on the differences. I dont think 54 is even close.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
ran into this a while back54 was just the list we cam up with once, is that all, well we can re open the thread
and in 68 rocker molding was black, in 69 changed to silver
but Hey lets not quibble about minor differences
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Wash.
'69 rocker mouldings were black. In 1970, they were changed to silver.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
Proper ride heights are measured in the suspension geometry, and referred to as the Z and D heights. Body height above the tires and such are only a result of these dimensions. Reference the AIM for the year model in questions to see what the specific measurements should be for any particular C3.
I've heard the same rumor about fender clearancing on various years, but can't confirm it other than during the '78 model year when the factory did indeed trim the inner lip of the fender to clear 265's when they were optioned.
Huge difference from '68 to '69 was the addition of the substantial frame gusset at the rear kick-up. Suppose they could be added, but the NCRS crowd () would have a fit, even though it would be a sensible improvement for a driver.
The poor build quality for which the '68 was notorious can be addressed by any attentive owner. Thus, I don't believe the first shark should be shuned by the C3 family.
I've heard the same rumor about fender clearancing on various years, but can't confirm it other than during the '78 model year when the factory did indeed trim the inner lip of the fender to clear 265's when they were optioned.
Huge difference from '68 to '69 was the addition of the substantial frame gusset at the rear kick-up. Suppose they could be added, but the NCRS crowd (
) would have a fit, even though it would be a sensible improvement for a driver.The poor build quality for which the '68 was notorious can be addressed by any attentive owner. Thus, I don't believe the first shark should be shuned by the C3 family.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Buy a copy; it has a blurb about the differences between the '68 and '69 models years. You can also read through The 1969 Corvette Guidebook by Rick Bizzoco; Vette Vues Fact Book of the 1968-1972 Stingray by M.F. Dobbins, and the 1968-69 Judging Guide from the NCRS, etc.
Most of the Corvette history coffee table books will give lip services to the differences. Plus pretty pictures.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 51
From: Cartersville GA
Mines an "early" 69, build date 1/31/69, and had the coffee can vacuum canister. It also had the nose support rod, so that also was not just a 68 deal.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
You know this is very true and I think most people miss that (me included) by all the put downs you hear about these up- grades.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,135
Likes: 3,939
From: Connecticut, USA
68 steering boxes were the early type, changed to aluminum covers and started with the flat inputs in 69.(some 69 still used the old inputs)
The 68 posi case was the weaker eaton, 69's got the better eaton posi case. Posi was an option in both years.
Front bearings were changed in 69 with larger spindle diameters.
Wheel widths changed don't recall the sizes offhand.
Radiator supports were different as were the crossmember.
The 68 posi case was the weaker eaton, 69's got the better eaton posi case. Posi was an option in both years.
Front bearings were changed in 69 with larger spindle diameters.
Wheel widths changed don't recall the sizes offhand.
Radiator supports were different as were the crossmember.