Why not a '68?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Lexington KY
Why not a '68?
OK, I seem to see a lot of off the cuff negativity about the '68, why?
Are they inherently bad? I understand there are some one year only parts that will make a total restoration a bit more expensive, what else?
Thanks
David
Are they inherently bad? I understand there are some one year only parts that will make a total restoration a bit more expensive, what else?
Thanks
David
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 7
From: Chetwynd B.C.
I had the same question in May of this year. (check post http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=shmoky )
Decided in June to buy the Forum Member's 68 I was looking at. Best decision I ever made. (don't tell the wife
) Mind you MOST of the work has been done on the car. A couple of hard to find parts I do have to look for but they are not essential for the running of the car and I do have time.
shmoky
Decided in June to buy the Forum Member's 68 I was looking at. Best decision I ever made. (don't tell the wife
) Mind you MOST of the work has been done on the car. A couple of hard to find parts I do have to look for but they are not essential for the running of the car and I do have time. shmoky
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
I had the same question in May of this year. (check post http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=shmoky )
Decided in June to buy the Forum Member's 68 I was looking at. Best decision I ever made. (don't tell the wife ) Mind you MOST of the work has been done on the car. A couple of hard to find parts I do have to look for but they are not essential for the running of the car and I do have time.
shmoky
Decided in June to buy the Forum Member's 68 I was looking at. Best decision I ever made. (don't tell the wife
) Mind you MOST of the work has been done on the car. A couple of hard to find parts I do have to look for but they are not essential for the running of the car and I do have time. shmoky
seems like every month we get one of these threadsparts is parts
some one year only, some half year only, some shared with 67, a few shared with 69
68's rock
go for it
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 473
Likes: 6
From: New Port Richey FL
68's are a fine car. Like you said, some parts will be hard to come across. I like the fender vents on the car, but personally can't stand the push button on the door. I’m sure the 68 owners out there like that because it instantly sets their car apart. All the years have their little nuances. Some people won’t like your color (not all Corvettes are red), some people don’t like convertibles (usually coupe owners 
) some won't like a rubber bumper, or a chrome bumper, or whatever. The only person’s opinion that matters on the subject is yours. Buy what you like and you can’t go wrong.
) some won't like a rubber bumper, or a chrome bumper, or whatever. The only person’s opinion that matters on the subject is yours. Buy what you like and you can’t go wrong.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The reality is that the '68 is "different". I know...I had one...and loved it. Engines were 327/427...later years were 350/454. Ignition switch on dash, not column. No map pocket to stuff things in. No inside door pulls [OK, there's a place to hook your fingertips in...]. No flares behind wheels to keep the rock nicks from dinging up your lower body (same in '69, too). Other than those things, it's essentially the same as other early C3's.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
68's are as good as any other year. As long as they have been around any new model issues would've been delt with years ago. One off parts? hell do you want your car to be like a VW! I don't want my 68 to be like any other year other wise I would buy a different year car then.Just my 2 cents!
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I love my 68. Probably the nicest Corvette I have ever owned. I don't like the stupid door handles. Basically the same cars from 68-72 aside from styling changes. Some early reviews by the car mags spoke of poor body panel fit and overheating. The cars that got to the public were better. Unfortunately, the early reviews stuck in people's minds. Whatever issues existed have certainly been sorted out by now. My car doesn't overheat and the panel fit is perfect. I have spoken to several original owners of 68's and they loved their cars when new.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 204
From: Lincoln CA
If people don't like the door handle configuration or the lack of interior door pulls but like the look of the 68 otherwise, buy a 69. Basically the same car with some refinements, and the SB 350 instead of the 327.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,980
Likes: 6,207
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
I had a '68 in the late 70's/early 80's and I had a lot more mechanical problems with it than other comparable Corvettes I owned. Other owners shared these problems, and they developed a bit of a reputation, especially with some Corvette dealers I know personally. Some still do shy away from them. Of course, some habits die hard: I specifically bought a '69 recently rather than a '68.
However, these cars are so old that the majority have been gone through and the gremlins exorcised, so I think the '68s are relatively the same as other cars of its era, even though some people still remember them as the problem child.
Regarding parts, there are a number of one year only parts, but they just make the car interesting. Personally, I liked the odd door handle. I also like the blank map pocket and slotted ebrake console. What I did not like was the key on the dash and big steering wheel.
No problems buying the cars these days.
However, these cars are so old that the majority have been gone through and the gremlins exorcised, so I think the '68s are relatively the same as other cars of its era, even though some people still remember them as the problem child.
Regarding parts, there are a number of one year only parts, but they just make the car interesting. Personally, I liked the odd door handle. I also like the blank map pocket and slotted ebrake console. What I did not like was the key on the dash and big steering wheel.
No problems buying the cars these days.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I had a '68 in the late 70's/early 80's and I had a lot more mechanical problems with it than other comparable Corvettes I owned. Other owners shared these problems, and they developed a bit of a reputation, especially with some Corvette dealers I know personally. Some still do shy away from them. Of course, some habits die hard: I specifically bought a '69 recently rather than a '68.
However, these cars are so old that the majority have been gone through and the gremlins exorcised, so I think the '68s are relatively the same as other cars of its era, even though some people still remember them as the problem child.
Regarding parts, there are a number of one year only parts, but they just make the car interesting. Personally, I liked the odd door handle. I also like the blank map pocket and slotted ebrake console. What I did not like was the key on the dash and big steering wheel.
No problems buying the cars these days.
However, these cars are so old that the majority have been gone through and the gremlins exorcised, so I think the '68s are relatively the same as other cars of its era, even though some people still remember them as the problem child.
Regarding parts, there are a number of one year only parts, but they just make the car interesting. Personally, I liked the odd door handle. I also like the blank map pocket and slotted ebrake console. What I did not like was the key on the dash and big steering wheel.
No problems buying the cars these days.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
1968's are good years also, most probably discount this year due to running changes made during the model year to refine some trouble spots occuring after production began and the buying enthusiast had the car long enough to address the issues.
There have been changes to each year since. Some changes I personally feel were not for the betterment of the car. The model year 1972 comes to mind, with the absence of the stainless metal pedal trim, the absence of the fiberoptic monitoring system, the changing of the data plate info on the center console.
There have been changes to each year since. Some changes I personally feel were not for the betterment of the car. The model year 1972 comes to mind, with the absence of the stainless metal pedal trim, the absence of the fiberoptic monitoring system, the changing of the data plate info on the center console.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
I have a late '68. There are only a few subtle differences between a late '68 and an early or late '69. Most of those differences are styling related, there are a few however that are related to manufacturing or design inprovements in the model run. GM was constantly making these changes over the entire model's life so that isnt really a big deal.
There are a few annoyances that are unique to the '68. As mentioned the exterior door handle is a pain, and also the interior door handles are annoying too, but if that is really the extent of it, then get some '69 doors. No big deal.
if I had the choice would I buy a '68 again? possibly, if it was a complete car that had gone through a complete restoration. Would I want to bring a basket case back? Definately not.
Nothing really inherently bad about a 68, IMHO, a few first year quirks here and there but nothing really significant.
Just my $0.02.
There are a few annoyances that are unique to the '68. As mentioned the exterior door handle is a pain, and also the interior door handles are annoying too, but if that is really the extent of it, then get some '69 doors. No big deal.
if I had the choice would I buy a '68 again? possibly, if it was a complete car that had gone through a complete restoration. Would I want to bring a basket case back? Definately not.
Nothing really inherently bad about a 68, IMHO, a few first year quirks here and there but nothing really significant.
Just my $0.02.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
I love my 68 and have had it since 1972 and will NEVER sell it.
I like the fact that it is different and I have NONE of the problems that people complain about.
My vacuum wiper door works perfect and my clock still runs and has never stopped since I bought the car. My panels fit well, everything works. It's a coupe, LeMans blue with black interior.
Can you tell I love it?
Built May 10, 1968
Great car.
Kurt
I like the fact that it is different and I have NONE of the problems that people complain about.
My vacuum wiper door works perfect and my clock still runs and has never stopped since I bought the car. My panels fit well, everything works. It's a coupe, LeMans blue with black interior.
Can you tell I love it?
Built May 10, 1968
Great car.
Kurt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
I love the outside door handles.
The 68 is the only C3 you can open without leaving fingerprints on those damn flaps. Plus unless somebody else opens my doors you'll never see those flaps stuck down either.
The 68 is the only C3 you can open without leaving fingerprints on those damn flaps. Plus unless somebody else opens my doors you'll never see those flaps stuck down either.