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Quick question about early '68

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Old Nov 21, 2011 | 04:04 PM
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Default Quick question about early '68

Hi all, quick question - did early '68s have head lamp covers under grille? Thanks!
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Old Nov 21, 2011 | 04:11 PM
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here is a listing for them not sure if they originally came with them

http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...oducts_id=4423
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Old Nov 21, 2011 | 04:40 PM
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Yep, saw that part in their catalog and was thinking about ordering. However, now I am not sure, if those shields were installed on early 68's as well.
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Old Nov 21, 2011 | 04:53 PM
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Hi Linas,
The information I looked at seemed to indicate the shields were there from the start of production but changed to a smaller size during 1969.
I don't know how accurate you want to be?
Regards,
Alan
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Old Nov 22, 2011 | 02:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi Linas,
The information I looked at seemed to indicate the shields were there from the start of production but changed to a smaller size during 1969.
I don't know how accurate you want to be?
Regards,
Alan
Thanks, Alan. I think, I will just put early 69 covers in it, as I did not see any catalog listing those for 68
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Old Nov 22, 2011 | 05:10 AM
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Default My Early 68

Linas, for what's it worth, I got an early (Sep 67) model 68, I'm the 3rd owner, car is pretty much original, stored 85% of it's life and I don't have any on my car.
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Old Nov 22, 2011 | 08:28 AM
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Yes the early 68s have head lamp covers under grille.

Last edited by Douglas Mariani; Nov 22, 2011 at 08:34 AM.
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Old Nov 22, 2011 | 08:52 AM
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Not sure what # owner I am of my late October built 68, but the front end was 100% bone stock original, right down to the silver edges on the grilles when I got it, and there were not any shields.
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Old Nov 22, 2011 | 10:37 AM
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So I just had a look at factory AIM for '68, and it does not show those shields under the grille as well. However, I was also thinking, that these shields missing on many original cars could simply mean that big block owners just saw them as another barrier for optimal engine cooling, since they appeared to be blocking the airflow. So people just took them off. Anyhow, I just placed the order for them this morning and I will probably put them in, since it make the car front look smoother. Also, it is just a matter of few bolts to take them off
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Old Nov 22, 2011 | 10:43 AM
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Don't know for sure - I always thought they were supposed to be there from day 1, but they just fell off easily.
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Old Nov 22, 2011 | 12:34 PM
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my early 68 has them
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Old Nov 22, 2011 | 07:28 PM
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The NCRS Judging Manual says all cars had the shields with a second design appearing some time during the 1969 model year run.

They are on my 68, but that's an April car and I would not consider it "early."

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Old Nov 22, 2011 | 08:53 PM
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Rick Bizzoco's book "1969 Stingray Guidebook", page 25 states;
"These shields were supplied with the 1968 and 1969 Corvette." It also shows pictures with and without shields.

Page 160 shows 2 different headlamp shields.
1st design 710316
2nd design 735250
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Old Nov 23, 2011 | 05:41 PM
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My early 68 also has them. The car was pretty original and I am the third owner. It does not appear anyone has done much to it.
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Old Nov 23, 2011 | 08:26 PM
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My March 1968 coupe has them but there not suppose to be seen through the grill...obviously when you can see headlights through the grill, that car is missing the shields
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Old Nov 24, 2011 | 11:13 PM
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For whatever it's worth, I'm pretty sure my May, 1968 Convertible had the headlamp shields. When I restored the car a few years ago, it had been in a bit of a front end collision, and the original shields were coated with body primer and body paint overspray. I replaced them with duplicate repro shields.
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Old Nov 25, 2011 | 05:48 AM
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Thanks all for your input. I am definitely putting them in, as soon as I get them shipped from US!
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