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I have a 71 coupe , but my favorite is 1968. I think it has the cleanest look , the nicest gills , no script . As someone mentioned on here , if it made it this far , problems must have been sorted out . maybe . But thats my opinion .
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Originally Posted by surfacetension
I am in the market for a 69 but I see 68's any thoughts on them . I know some people give them a bad rap . anyone ?
I Have a 68 and consider it the nicest Corvette I own or have ever owned. Whatever issues existed have surely been ironed out over the years. There are some unique one year only parts/features that may make it a bit challenging during restoration but also make it unique. The early bad rep was based on some pre-production or early cars that were released to the press that weren't ready for prime time. I have spoken to many original 68 owners and most did not have the quality control issues these early cars had. Unfortunately stories that get repeated are often believed, like 64's are lesser mid years. Not true.
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.
I Have a 68 and consider it the nicest Corvette I own or have ever owned. Whatever issues existed have surely been ironed out over the years. There are some unique one year only parts/features that may make it a bit challenging during restoration but also make it unique. The early bad rep was based on some pre-production or early cars that were released to the press that weren't ready for prime time. I have spoken to many original 68 owners and most did not have the quality control issues these early cars had. Unfortunately stories that get repeated are often believed, like 64's are lesser mid years. Not true.
Best of the 15 year run of C-3`s. AND, most of all its not a stingray..:
40+ years and still going strong. But it was parked and stored for 35 of them. Honestly, there good cars or I would not have kept it. First years and last years of a Corvette series are to me are the real keepers. Just for example consider the popularity of the 1962`s and 63`s. ..plus the 68`s have really clean uncluttered lines....you will normally find that the critics of 68`s are those that dont have one and unfortunately bought the wrong year.....:
I think every year corvette has it's flaws even 68's. I got my 68 4+ years ago and love to drive it. Since I put on the hooker headers and side pipes it stands out in the crowed. Get one, you'll love it!!
The '68 just has several 'one-year' only parts that were revised for '69 and later years. Some are hard to come by...all of them are expensive to buy. I had a '68 [years ago]. Nice car, but I didn't like the fact it (and '69) didn't have flares behind the wheelwells to prevent road rocks from nicking up the lower body area. Other than those things, '68s are just fine.
'68s are much maligned, but if you find a complete, nice car I would not be scared of it. If you find a basket case, run away because '68 only parts will eat your lunch. If you find a nice car that has been driven, chances are the bugs will be worked out now that we are 40 years later.
I agree with msandym.
Any issues with a 68 have long ago been worked out by prior owners.
Also most of the bad things you hear about the early tests of 68's in 68 were due to early cars rushed into production. GM quickly worke dto correct such.
I have a 68 coupe that I have owned since 1972 and I love lines of the car and the one year only peculiarities. Makes it different from the rest.
I have none of the vacuum problems or other issues that plagued the early 68s since mine was built in May and is later in the production cycle.
I will never sell mine, and I see very few 68's for sale for some reason; plenty lates ones but very few 68's.
Must be some reason they are being held kept by owners; they can't all be in junkyards.
Kurt
If you find a 68 in good shape, buy it! You will not be disappointed
As far as the one-off parts go, everything I have needed for mine I have been able to find either at salvage yards, ebay, swap meets