When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
hey guys i am normally on the C2 forum. but i am gonna be looking at a 1968 roadster 427 car hopefully today. it has been in a storage unit for almost 30yrs. honestly i cant believe people let these cars sit that long, oh well...
but any way, i have been doing my due diligence before i go kick tires...i have all my casting numbers date codes paint codes and such. i have had a 68 and 69 in the past, but for the life of me i cant remember if the side gills should have a insert in them? i have looked through all my books and i find both yrs with inserts and with out? so was it a trim option? or a only 69 option, or? fill me in here guys! i do not want too point out a potential problem with the car if it is correct. thanks troy
thank you joe.. now let me ask you this, are the fender gill openings the same size in the 68-69 cars? if yes, then all that these were, was a insert with some screw holes drilled/added too the openings on a 69? so you COULD add these too a 68? thanks for the info ..... troy
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
yes they are the same size and the replacement kits have those rubber well nuts to install them. I bought a complete set off a member here and havent installed them in my 68 yet. But I will to complement the 69 side pipes.
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Aug 6, 2018 at 09:46 AM.
Just to confirm everything that's already been said here, RPO TJ2, "Front Fender Louver Ornamentation", was a 69 only option, and a fairly popular one at that, with almost a third of all 69's being ordered with them. They were not offered in 68, but the fender louvers are the same size on both 68's and 69's, and many owners have installed them on their 68's. Each louver is held in place by two Welnuts and chrome Phillips head screws. They are the same Welnuts that are used to install the right side door mirrors.
Below is the the page from the 69 Assembly Manual, showing the installation of the louver trim.
well that makes total sense now... i have been told the 68 might have these inserts.. and i was not sure a 68 came with them...well i will be looking at the car tue at noon . now i will have all my info in order... thanks troy
I always liked the look of the grille inserts on the '69 Vettes and even when installed on the '68s which was not an option in '68. I think it looks good on the '68 even without the stingray emblem on the fender. I have a set of OEM inserts but just can't bring myself to drill holes in the OEM fenders.
I always liked the look of the grille inserts on the '69 Vettes and even when installed on the '68s which was not an option in '68. I think it looks good on the '68 even without the stingray emblem on the fender. I have a set of OEM inserts but just can't bring myself to drill holes in the OEM fenders.
Cheers, BK3
Just DOOO EEET! -HA!
I would add them without hesitation.
The inserts have sharp edges and can cut you when you wash your car. Eventually they will corrode, being made of pot metal. Also the paint on them wears off.
I had them for many years on my 68, but removed them. The bare gills look cool. Lou.
Have them on my 68, they were on there when I bought the car, but I like the bling.... 68 without louver trim
My 68 with louver trim- I like it more dressed up.
In regards to the above posted pics - I like both looks - OEM '68 correct (with no Stringray emblem and no inserts) and with the added inserts. Wish there was a way to install the inserts so they would not be permanent. I just can't pick up the drill to add inserts to my '68.
midigike I prefer to blackout the 3rd and forth vent, for a much better defined look of the vents.
I spent a lot time detailing the vent area, no way am I drilling 1/2" holes for the rubber mounting grommets.
They were on my 68 when I bought it. I like them. The wiper grill was also chromed but it corroded; I liked that too, but it is now painted body color.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
68 side gill insert, yes or no?
