Adam... You must have the record for the most posts for someone who has never owned a C3. Do you plan on buying one soon?

 

Looking, learning and watching every day

At one point in my life I made the mistake of purchasing a car without any knowledge of the model and I'll never do that again. If I understand the car, how it works, the problems to watch out for etc, I can make an educated purchase. Since I don't have $$ to throw around I want to know what I'm looking for and how to check so I don't get burned.

Plus, I'm just having a good time chatting and have received some awesome advice from the members here.

 

I have a bit of experience with both the '68 and '69 as my brother has owned his '69 just under 30 years and I've had my '68 22 years this month.

I love the push button doors because I will never need to depress that damn flap to open my doors, ensuring that flap will never be stuck down plus I don't have to keep wiping fingerprints off of it like I see owners of every other year C3 do.

Both my brother's and mine have been body off rebuilt (can't say restored in my case) I've driven both plenty and can tell you honestly that there is very little that makes one different than the other let alone better.

I can't believe 40 some years later we've still got guys falling back on some magazine articles to "prove" how much better the '69 is and how much of a POS the '68 is.

All just my humble but informed opinion mind you.


One major issue I've always had with the '68 until recently (thanks to Ernie aka Willcox and Roger) was the wiper motor. Now that we have it figured out it also is no more of an issue than any other year.

 

Yes you are, but the OP's question concerned one year only items on 68s. He was not asking whether 68 ownership should be avoided.

 

Hi

I love every 68 only part or system on my 68.
Makes it so unique.

I would buy a 68 anytime again.

Rgds. Günther

 

From Rick Bizzoco's 1969 Stingray Guidebook:

Also worthwhile and absent on the first design 68's.

Worthwhile and absent on the '68.

3 differences. I think of them as improvements. Just like the flared fenders of the '70 and up models went a long way to prevent stone chips. Even a corporation a large as The General did not produce a new design perfectly the very first model year. There were deficiencies that got corrected as production moved forward.

 

You're more patient than me. I HAD to have one.

 

I'll chime in with my opinion since I'm one of those "thin skinned" 68 owners The notion that 68's are to be avoided because they are less of a car is simply not accurate. I read all the articles back in 68. They were based on early or pre-production cars that weren't ready. The cars that the public received were far better. I have spoken to many original owners of 68's and they were not any more problematic than the 69 or later cars. Fit and finish on ANY old Corvette would certainly be taken care of by now. The 68's also carried over the drivetrains of the much sought after 67's.

After 40 years of Corvette ownership I consider my 68 to be as good as any of the old Corvettes and may be the nicest car in my garage. Unfortunately, the more often a myth is repeated the more some people begin to believe it. There is no substitute for the opinions of those that have actually owned the cars. If the first year cars are to be avoided, does that mean the rubber bumper cars are also incrementally better? The uniqueness of the 68 presents a challenge while restoring but makes them distinctive.

Everyone has opinions and everyone has the right to express them. You just need to decide who to listen to.

 

68 doors can also be locked without a key; same lock **** used 68-77.

68s had headlight shields.

Late 68 frames are the same as 69-72 frames.

I also have Bizzoco's book.

All of the "bad" things you find with 68s were corrected during the 1968 model year run.

 

I have no illusions that any forum member who owns a '68 will ever repent by saying they made a mistake in spending their $$$ on one, knowing that the succeeding year had over 100 changes for the better. It's just human nature. Everyone thinks what they have is best and will go to their death defending their decision in buying it.

Don't the mothers of serial killers all say, "But he was such a good child...he never hurt a flea."

And just because I wouldn't touch one with a 10' barge pole should in no way dissuade anyone else's buying decision. I'm only laying the facts on the table and let the chips fall as they may. I admit being biased toward the 69's. A better car? Just counting all the fed mandated safety features alone, I think so. But I can empathize with the purists that think a 1968 sports car without an energy-absorbing steering column is better than a '69 with one. To each his own.

 

You aren't really arguing the safety of 40yr+ cars let alone between model years are you?

Talk about a stretch.

 

Now I'm really convinced that my 68 is a POS. It doesn't have an energy absorbing steering column I better get rid of my 65 and 61 as well. Your car doesn't have an air bag either. Maybe you should get a C5 or C6 and play it safe. After all, the Corvette has "improved" alot since the 3rd generation, or has it?

Statements like "I wouldn't touch one with a ten foot pole" and "avoid 68's" are designed to inflame those of us that own them aren't they? You got a predictable response. If I felt the 68's or any other car I owned was trouble I would be happy to objectively state why.

 

With all the so called bad press on the 68's they sold 28,566 of them more than ever sold before at that time!! What a contradiction that is!! And I dought 69's really sold more than that in the same time frame! remember the 69's had a much longer sale period because of labor disputes. Personally I don't want a car that is the same as another year car, that sounds like an early VW that had no real model year just changes all along as needed, why have a car of any year or type that is the same from year to year what does that do to value and uniqueness of a given model year car?!! I have had other year Corvettes but I love all the special items that make my car a 68 the first year of all C3's!!!! But really all year Corvettes are cool regardless of some boring opions, buy what you like that is the best one for you!!

 

I own a 72 but 68 is my favorite C3. Ignition key, door locks, door panels, engine, console, are all unique. Plus the clean look of no flared fenders. Later years are different but not better.

Steering column? hahhaha

 

Energy absorbing steering columns were introduced on '67 Corvettes, not '69.

 

Thanks for the clarification/correction. Now I feel much safer and may keep the 68

 

Not at all. If there's any inflaming going on it's your sloppy quoting. Or reading into it other than what I said. Here is my quote verbatim: And remember, I said I was biased towards 69's.


I was pointing out, in the spirit of this thread's title what some of the differences were. And, for good measure, I threw in my opinion. Will anyone in their right mind, who already owns a '68, rid themselves of it because of MY opinion? I doubt it. Will anyone considering a '68 not buy it because of MY opinion. I doubt that too.

Concerning your statement capevettes: True. But according to my readings, the 67's only became 'sought after' when all the bad press came out once the 68's were introduced and Chevy dealers got flooded with warranty work. They were bashed like the proverbial 'red-headed stepchild' by the top automotive scribes of the day. But you '68 owners probably already knew that, and that's what makes you so thin skinned. Has it come out in the intervening 40+ years that those car magazine columnists only bashed the 68's because they had an axe to grind or some other reason? Not that I've read. They told it like it was. Period.

Some of you folks think I'm going out of my way to badmouth your fave Vette. Not true. If I was on that kind of crusade, I would have started a thread with a provocative title something like, "What's worse than a Pinto and Yugo combined? 1968 Corvette." But I didn't. I wouldn't. I like all Corvettes. I just like some less than others. 68's happen to fit into that lesser group. So sue me.

 

Ok. I agree that your opinion won't influence anyone's decision to buy or not to buy a 68 Corvette

 

So I assume you were wrong about the steering column. That is a huge loss of credibility. What else are you wrong about?

The tone of your comments sounds like you attack any car but your own. Somehow that makes your car better or more valuable?

 

How to remove the ext door button mechanism on a '68 ?. the internal snap ring inside it vanished , guts are wedged against the latch mchnism dont wanna lose any parts or the assmbly order .
Anyone gota link to a description or vid ??

thx DT
present owner of a 17yr barnfind '68
http://community.webshots.com/user/WINDAVIT