why not a 68?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
1968 is not a stingray or sting ray....either way it`s no go ....None of the fancy dress up additions spoiling the nice clean lines....Now this is a Vette and the way they should be...As much factory HP available...Plain and simple all business y0u don't *** with this one......
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
This can't be right, can it? Surely the hood surround an headlight assemblies are the same shape and position between 68 and 69. I find it very hard to believe the headlight assemblies were different sizes and in different positions between 68 and 69. Surely this must have just been a crappy repair job.
The reason for the change was simple, not enough fiberglass between the headlight opening and the hood opening. Cracks were starting to appear in basically new cars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
+++++
1968 is not a stingray or sting ray....either way it`s no go ....None of the fancy dress up additions spoiling the nice clean lines....Now this is a Vette and the way they should be...As much factory HP available...Plain and simple all business y0u don't *** with this one......
1968 is not a stingray or sting ray....either way it`s no go ....None of the fancy dress up additions spoiling the nice clean lines....Now this is a Vette and the way they should be...As much factory HP available...Plain and simple all business y0u don't *** with this one......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Yes it is correct, and it is not ALL 68s. That was a running year change. I used to know approximately when Chevrolet went with the smaller headlight doors, but I cannot recall now.
The reason for the change was simple, not enough fiberglass between the headlight opening and the hood opening. Cracks were starting to appear in basically new cars.
The reason for the change was simple, not enough fiberglass between the headlight opening and the hood opening. Cracks were starting to appear in basically new cars.
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 484
Likes: 10
From: Newcastle NSW
This is a major one. Just one nit picky thing though, can we stop calling the later cars "flared"? They aren't flares, they are little mudflaps moulded into the lower fenders. You can't fit wider tires because of them, but you do save the side of your car from rash.
Personally I don't really like to look of the mud flaps, but they sure are functional.
Personally I don't really like to look of the mud flaps, but they sure are functional.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
+++++
1968 is not a stingray or sting ray....either way it`s no go ....None of the fancy dress up additions spoiling the nice clean lines....Now this is a Vette and the way they should be...As much factory HP available...Plain and simple all business y0u don't *** with this one......
1968 is not a stingray or sting ray....either way it`s no go ....None of the fancy dress up additions spoiling the nice clean lines....Now this is a Vette and the way they should be...As much factory HP available...Plain and simple all business y0u don't *** with this one......
Yes, indeed, Wally. If I was on the street and your yellow beast pulled up behind me - I would pull over and let you on by. Respect, brother. Love your car.
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
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Originally Posted by bkvette3
Yes, indeed, Wally. If I was on the street and your yellow beast pulled up behind me - I would pull over and let you on by. Respect, brother. Love your car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,317
Likes: 292
From: Ocala FL
Priya,
Imagine a line that runs from the front corner of the hood to the extreme end of the chrome bumper...under that top panel (front surround) is a vertical inner fender. On the '69 and later cars, a small L-shaped tab was attached to the inner fender and helped support that panel. If you see the edges of the hood a bit high this is a possible culprit...but it can also be for other reasons or on a mis-aligned '69 and on, as well. Some '68s do not need them, some have had them added and some still sport the mis-alignment. So it's not exactly a sagging nose, it was/is an issue with alignment of that panel to the hood. I have a '68 and designed my own fix. If you notice the red '68 in this thread, the alignment is perfect...so obviously its either not needed on this car or has been addressed. It's a simple thing to take care of.
Imagine a line that runs from the front corner of the hood to the extreme end of the chrome bumper...under that top panel (front surround) is a vertical inner fender. On the '69 and later cars, a small L-shaped tab was attached to the inner fender and helped support that panel. If you see the edges of the hood a bit high this is a possible culprit...but it can also be for other reasons or on a mis-aligned '69 and on, as well. Some '68s do not need them, some have had them added and some still sport the mis-alignment. So it's not exactly a sagging nose, it was/is an issue with alignment of that panel to the hood. I have a '68 and designed my own fix. If you notice the red '68 in this thread, the alignment is perfect...so obviously its either not needed on this car or has been addressed. It's a simple thing to take care of.
It is just the way it came, never changed. And one day in July, 1980, I tried extremely hard to both change that and preserve that. I was headed into Turn 1 at Mid America Raceway, thinking about the braking point that Walt Kopecky had just told me he and others used when racing, and as I squeezed on the pedal hard, a thought crossed my mind. They were on slicks, not street tires.
As I spun the car at something like 120 mph, I kept thinking, keep the nose off the wall, keep the nose off the wall. I can put the rear back together, but I will never get the nose straight.
After the dust cleared, I had spun 540 degrees. Completely around once and another half so I was pointing where I came from, and still in the middle of the track, far from the wall. Still running, I let the clutch out, spun it back the way I was going, and took off.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Pete
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Love the 68!!!
Love the 68!!! and all of the one time features
I will say this though, on my 68, I bumped the ignition key and accidently had it in forward gear and of course it lurched forward a bit. So, I thought, oh yeah...., no start in gear protection with the little cable going from the trans to the steering column. Maybe my late March 68 was supposed to have that, but I think 68 did not have that since the ignition key is in the dash. Knowing a couple of owners of the older ones that suffered front end damage when the car lurched into a work bench, reminded me this is something to be aware of.
Also, since I now have a 68, I also find I push the lock cylinder on all C3's to open the doors!!!
I will say this though, on my 68, I bumped the ignition key and accidently had it in forward gear and of course it lurched forward a bit. So, I thought, oh yeah...., no start in gear protection with the little cable going from the trans to the steering column. Maybe my late March 68 was supposed to have that, but I think 68 did not have that since the ignition key is in the dash. Knowing a couple of owners of the older ones that suffered front end damage when the car lurched into a work bench, reminded me this is something to be aware of.
Also, since I now have a 68, I also find I push the lock cylinder on all C3's to open the doors!!!
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,601
Likes: 7,048
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
then he scrapped it and went with.........
Annnnnd since I'm a chrome/gloss-black guy (Harley Davidson inspired).....I already installed the chrome mufflers/may as well throw on the emblems.....
Last edited by doorgunner; Dec 8, 2014 at 10:46 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I never really liked car emblems, they interrupt smooth finishes and lines, and really only serve to advertise for the car company or the owner who wants to make sure you know what they drive,, I am happy GM made Corvettes but I and not a rolling billboard,
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,601
Likes: 7,048
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
BATS! You're stuck in the 60s!
On the other hand.....if I had to be stuck......that would be the time....right before I went to "beautiful. fascinating Southeast Asia to see new faces and make new friends"....
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: FL
Love My 68
Had my 68 Vert for over 10 years now. Just finished doing some body repair and fresh paint. 2005 Sion, Hot Lava Orange, sort of like Daytona Sunset. Put a little ghost pearl in with it and I think it looks great now. The club I'm in know when I'm coming because of the sweet sound of Hooker comp side pipes. Have a small block completely redone, mono-leaf springs, 5 speed and on and on. Installing C5 sport seats in in in a few days. What I'm saying is it is not a number's anything car so I have been having lots of fun with it, but from a short distance it looks like a 1968, no body mods except for the massive L88 hood. It is fun to drive and a head turner. Just saying not a da-gone thing wrong with an older bumper car.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,684
Likes: 696
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
She, and that car will be forever burned into my memory...
Run away, run away
Just saying.
