What are some things found only on the 68 model year ? Why would it be considered an oddball ?

 

DOORS are 1968 ONLY. Exterior panel with a push button method to open the door...and thus....the interior door panel is 1968 ONLY.

DOOR WINDOW parts are 1968 only...but some it can be possible that some 1969's came with these parts even though the outer skin is correct.

If my memory serves me correctly....the wiper door vacuum system is different and the wiper door frame is different.

Radiator fan shrouding can be different...but some 1969's may also have this set-up depending on when the 1969 was built and/or options. I have seen steel shrouds and plastic shrouds on 1969's.

STEERING COLUMNS are different.

I have seen the upper corner windshield moldings where the T-tops and convertible top get pinned and guided into this molding be different. The 1968's were two pieces..and the 1969's went to a one piece corner molding.

DUB

Probably some other small things I can not think of right now. Maybe some others can add to the list.

DUB

 

Head light doors, door panels, grills, front side markers, Lt Rt dash panels, shift plate, door push buttons, interior door handles, wheels, PO1 hub caps, back up lights, gas door, door window lift plate, wiring harness and on and on. I'm sure experts will add to list.

 

Heres a nice list of some of the 68 only stuff. Theres more but this is pretty complete list.
https://68ragtop.wordpress.com/2012/...t-c3-part-fit/

 

One year only for C3's

1- low back seats w/o heat rests.
2- ignition switch on dash instead of steering column.
3- do interior door pulls / but has finger intention on top of door panel.
4- no map / glove pocket on passenger side of dash.
5- different outside door handle mechanism with push button.
6- last year for 327 V8 engine.
7- narrower factory wheels.

 

Easiest ways to tell a 1968 from the rest just based on the exterior.

- No backup light in the middle of the tail lights, they were small squares on the rear valance
- No "Stingray" emblem on the front fenders
- '69 style fender gills, but without the chrome bezels which are unique to 1969
- Push button door locks stick out a little further than they do on the other C3s

 

Has no one yet mentioned the emergency brake console with the slots for the seat belt ends to rest in? They break easily and are a challenge to get the right part.

 

FWIW: head rests were optional for the 68s.

 

Radio ***** 1 yr only.
1yr only back up/brake light sender.
Odd car/odd owners
Marshal

 

The original front crossmember is different although I think the 69-later type will fit and can used.

 

Every freaking part of the car is 68 Corvette 1 year only!

I think there is an exhaustive thread on this topic somewhere in the archives. One of my favorite items is the 1 year only brake light switch. The generic plunger style brakelight switch is used on every model year corvette before and after 68! It's insane.

If you get a Corvette interchange manual, the 68 chapter is a blank page!

 

I agree with PRNDL, EVERY part on a 68 is different than a 69 and up.

It is easier to list the parts that are the same as a 69-up Corvette.
The following are the same; interior and exterior mirrors. power window switches, wiper switches, non A/C heater switches, back-up light switch, front and rear metal bumpers,68-72 front bumper center mounting bracket, door sills, pittman arm for manual and power steering, and power steering components, manual and power steering relay rods, front 68-72 cross flag emblem, rear corvette lettering, rear license plate chrome bezel, front license plate bracket, 68-73 rear bumper mounting brackets and rod, coupe rear window, headlight actuators and headlight and wiper panel vacuum relays, vacuum relay behind tach, interior door lock ****, interior vacuum switches (pull down *****), horn button, cigarette lighter.

These parts are the same on a 69 Corvette, front turn signal lamps, rocker panels, front bumper outer braces (dog-leg), 68 convertible and all 69's rear interior compartment lamp, rear side markers, 68,69 tail lamp lenses and housings, upper dash pad, center console, seat frames are the same, and second design 68 seat back panel.

And for those that did not know, the 68 front spindle and steering arm are 68 only. So is the 68 only radio antenna bezel. 68 outer chrome,one piece, second design windshield header moldings ARE different than the 69-up one's. They have a flatter curve to them.

I am sure that I have forgotten a hundred other things.
Lou Palfy, 68 coupe owner for over 43 years.

 

I wonder why GM would change SO many parts between model years within the first of a generation change? It doesn't make a lot of sense to tool up all these parts and only use them for one year.

By the way, I think the push button door openers are the coolest little thing on my car.

 

Love/hate the '68. I love mine - one year only parts and all.

 

Having to stuff your personal accessories into the seat belt holders on the console BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE A MAP POCKET is the horrible price you pay for owning a '68.

 

The original post's question is a good one and one that us with 68's and 69's are really interested in. However, this question is an old chestnut that has been extensively answered before somewhere in the bowels of Corvetteforum and internet archives. What makes this question about 68 differences so appealing from a historical standpoint is that there were two definite variations of the 68...there was the 68 first design and then the 68 second design...both appeared during the 68 production model run! My 68 was a May, 1968 car and is unequivocally a second design.

Sometime a few years ago, there was a posting on CF about the 68 differences....it was a really long list! I think the 68 had a large production run, but I also think because of design problems and lack of some of it's unique parts, the 68's had a high scrap incidence. I get the notion that 68's have become somewhat rare.

 

No one has mentioned the steering wheel. The 68 steering wheel is an inch bigger than 69.

 

I can easily think of at least 40 running changes that occurred to Corvette production over the 1968 model year. This does not include the changes that occurred from 68 to 69. These run from extremely minor - the lettering on the windshield washer switch changed color, to major - convertibles received under dash bracing. What is the exact change that define the first and second design?

John

 

Say what you want about the 68's good or bad but I owned two of them in the past and loved both of them .

 

Don't forget the carry-over drive trains from 67.

I love my 68, but everybody says is that a 72?

The spindles on my car were upgraded to 69 style, I found that out the hard way when I ordered new bearings and was scratching my head when they didn't fit

Oh and no reinforcement on the rear kick ups on the frame.