Dash Upgrades If Possible ??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 844
Likes: 6
From: Fort Wayne, IN
Aw man, I wish I could afford vintage air! I used the stock ducts out of an 80 and since the center panel was the same and the new dash matched up, it went in without a problem. The shape of the front part of the door panels match up with the sides of the dash. I bought the pigtailed molex connector for the gauges from a guy parting out an 80 on craigslist because I couldn't find the right one anywhere (for a decent price).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I'm with Quank and Turbostitch. When I started looking for a C3 I originally wanted a 68 or 69 but the more I looked at them the more I thought "ewww, I just can't stand that interior.". On the other hand I think the 79-82 interior is one of the best looking I've ever seen. I don't know why it didn't occurr to me at the time but I could have bought a 68 or 69 and put the 79 interior in it but instead I bought a 79. Now I'm thinking of selling the 79 and getting a 68 or 69 and swapping the interior to a 79.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I know the 78-82 dash and console will fit in 69-77's but I'm not sure it will fit in a '68. I read that one of the changes from 68 to 69 resulted in the interior being slightly wider (1/2 inch or something) in 69. I'm not sure if the extra clearence was achieved in the doors or what. I know I've seen a '68 with 69 doors on it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 502
Likes: 6
From: Chesterfield Virginia
PRIYA,
This is the first time anyone has mentioned a width difference from 68 to 69. Never knew that one. I suppose my 68 will be a proving ground for that piece of info. Body is still off my frame so it will be at least another month before we get to the dash. Will do my best to post pics and give updates as it happens. Thanks to all for the great postings.
Norm
This is the first time anyone has mentioned a width difference from 68 to 69. Never knew that one. I suppose my 68 will be a proving ground for that piece of info. Body is still off my frame so it will be at least another month before we get to the dash. Will do my best to post pics and give updates as it happens. Thanks to all for the great postings.
Norm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I'll be very interested to see what you find Norm.
I tried to figure it out by looking at dash pieces on Ecklers and I suppose not surpringly it said most of the dash parts were for 68 only or 69-76 but that doesn't necessarily mean a 69 won't fit in a 68 or vice versa given that the 68 has a dash mounted ignition and no map pocket. I did see one part of the dash (don't remember what it was) that said fits 68-76 and I've seen aftermarket front clips that fit either 68 or 69.
I've been only looking at 69 models because of this concern but if the 78-82 dash can fit in a 68 that'd double the number of cars I have to look at.
I tried to figure it out by looking at dash pieces on Ecklers and I suppose not surpringly it said most of the dash parts were for 68 only or 69-76 but that doesn't necessarily mean a 69 won't fit in a 68 or vice versa given that the 68 has a dash mounted ignition and no map pocket. I did see one part of the dash (don't remember what it was) that said fits 68-76 and I've seen aftermarket front clips that fit either 68 or 69.
I've been only looking at 69 models because of this concern but if the 78-82 dash can fit in a 68 that'd double the number of cars I have to look at.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Norm, I just did some digging and found a couple of comments regarding the increased interior width in the 69 over the 68:
" the '69 has more room for 2 reasons: 1) the interior door panels are slimmer giving more shoulder room and 2) the steering wheel is 15" diameter as opposed to 16" on a '68"
"The unique 68 vette – or why won’t that later c3 part fit:
•Doors had wider door panels – 69 were scalloped to give more room inside the car"
I think you'll find the 78-82 dash will likely fit in the 68.
" the '69 has more room for 2 reasons: 1) the interior door panels are slimmer giving more shoulder room and 2) the steering wheel is 15" diameter as opposed to 16" on a '68"
"The unique 68 vette – or why won’t that later c3 part fit:
•Doors had wider door panels – 69 were scalloped to give more room inside the car"
I think you'll find the 78-82 dash will likely fit in the 68.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 844
Likes: 6
From: Fort Wayne, IN
Norm, I just did some digging and found a couple of comments regarding the increased interior width in the 69 over the 68:
" the '69 has more room for 2 reasons: 1) the interior door panels are slimmer giving more shoulder room and 2) the steering wheel is 15" diameter as opposed to 16" on a '68"
"The unique 68 vette – or why won’t that later c3 part fit:
•Doors had wider door panels – 69 were scalloped to give more room inside the car"
I think you'll find the 78-82 dash will likely fit in the 68.
" the '69 has more room for 2 reasons: 1) the interior door panels are slimmer giving more shoulder room and 2) the steering wheel is 15" diameter as opposed to 16" on a '68"
"The unique 68 vette – or why won’t that later c3 part fit:
•Doors had wider door panels – 69 were scalloped to give more room inside the car"
I think you'll find the 78-82 dash will likely fit in the 68.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 585
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles California
Definitely agree with this. 77 and earlier look classic and cool. After that not so much. Didn't they even have the speedo stop at 85 mph and have 55 highlighted in orange?
If I had a 78 up car I would be looking to put in the classic interior.
Also agree to each their own. No offense to those that like the newer C3 gauge styles.
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 484
Likes: 10
From: Newcastle NSW
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,595
Likes: 7,043
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 844
Likes: 6
From: Fort Wayne, IN