63 silverpearl

Were back up lights standard equipment for 1968? I didn't see it listed in the corvette black book as an option? Thanks, Tom

69ttop502

They were standard. Unlike 69 and up, they were located on the rear valence as 68’s had two dedicated tail lamps.

63 silverpearl

Thank you, 69ttop502 for the quick reply.

69ttop502

No problem. Many, me included, change over to the 4 tail lamps. They got this one right in 68 in my opinion.

7T1vette

I'm sure that removing the dedicated back-up lamps after 1968 was nothing but a "cost savings" venture for GM. I had a '68 (years ago); and the amount of light when backing-up was considerably better than in later years.

derekderek

Somebody on here had the idea of using four dedicated tail / brake lamps. And using small LEDs on the license plate frame for backups. Not a bad idea.

loup68

I read somewhere, from a GM executive, that they would throw them a ton of money to launch a new vehicle, but then they had to cheapen the vehicle every year to satisfy the upper management. From 1968-up, only 69-82 Vettes have only two tail lights and I feel that this is a safety hazard! Glad I have a 68. Lou.

lvmyvt76

I just changed my 76 to 4 tail lights/brake lights, but will not have back-up lights, never out at night.

Procrastination Racing

Backup lights started in 1963 as option T86. In 1965, the options appears to have disappeared but I think it merged into the Z01 Comfort and Convenience Group. Then in 1966, backup lights became standard equipment on all Corvettes.

Corvette was ahead of many cars, putting options and so called "luxury" options on as standard equipment much earlier than other car lines.

If only they had carried the six taillights from the Stingray into the production Sting Ray, odds are the '68 and up would have had a six light style, so the center could have been a backup without losing a taillight on each side.