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Early 68’ corvette differences

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Old Sep 1, 2024 | 11:21 AM
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They say so but no, not really. The ignition switchnisnt correct, they don't have the light bulb, wiper switches last as long as you stare at it, the second you blink they are garbage. They do make wioer motors. They last a little while as long as they aren't turned on. No one makes spindles or front hubs. No one makes correct size headlight doors or surrounds. Now that Paragon doesn't exist I bet you won't find correct body mount parts....Ive looked and some parts aren't being produced because Paragon was only bought to kill competition....
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Old Sep 1, 2024 | 11:25 AM
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Try finding door locks, windshield stainless, convertible front windshield trim. Shoulder belts, ....there are things they pass off as 68 but clearly aren't and don't function like they should
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Old Sep 1, 2024 | 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Rescue Rogers
windshield stainless
That's true. The one from top flight listed for 68 worked.
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Old Sep 1, 2024 | 12:49 PM
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Early vs. Late convertible top tension cables are also different.
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Old Sep 1, 2024 | 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Rescue Rogers
Now that Paragon doesn't exist I bet you won't find correct body mount parts....Ive looked and some parts aren't being produced because Paragon was only bought to kill competition....
Huh? Paragon was bought by Legendary Companies, a private equity firm that had previously acquired Coker tire. Paragon was not in competition with Coker in any way. A year and a half after acquiring Paragon, Legendary acquired Central and about another year or so later they bought Zip. It made perfectly good business sense to merge Paragon and Central because they had redundant staff, redundant inventory and redundant facilities all located only a couple hours away from each other. Both Paragon and Central were making a lot of parts in Michigan, and right now many of those parts don't seem to be available, but I've been told by others in the business that it's a result of them moving the manufacturing out of Michigan.

As far as Paragon's body mount kits, they were not making the kits they sold, and it's quite likely Central, like most Corvette vendors are selling the same kits that Paragon was.
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Old Sep 1, 2024 | 03:22 PM
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Paragon was bought up and dismantled, they werre in competion with Corvette central...good luck getting any of the parts they carried, If they were such a great money maker, where is their parts. I f you look for parts they carried, everyone that resold them has them listed as back ordered or no longer available...I just threw away my last paragon brochure, wish i had it for the diagrams
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Old Sep 1, 2024 | 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by pltmgr
Ive had a 68 for about 12 years. Im not very concerned about "originality", therefore have not had any difficulty getting the parts I needed. In addition, many of the Corvette venders have 68 only parts available.
Most vendors & parts catalogues list 68 - 72 & 99% of the time none of it is ever correct for 1968 - they are clueless !!
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Old Sep 1, 2024 | 09:13 PM
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I like the 68-82 listings
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Old Sep 1, 2024 | 11:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Rescue Rogers
I like the 68-82 listings


Yup, that's even worse .......How clueless & unprofessional can you get ??? Then, they have the ***** to charge for return shipping. That's really a lot of nerve when they don't know anything about 68's & 1 year only parts. It's actually & Joke !
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Old Sep 2, 2024 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by MrTrim
Trust me, I understand the one year only differences. I’ve restored a couple of 63’s and talk about one year only parts and factory running changes….yikes. I don’t believe a 68’ can be any worse than that….but I’ve been wrong before. 😩
Ive has a few ‘63s, plus a ‘68 and a ‘58.

I’m kind of a glutton for One Year Only punishment.

My 2 cents… I love 68-69s. But if I were gonna buy a C3 Id strictly shop for a ‘68. The uniqueness of the year makes the model stand out in my opinion. That car sounds like a target to me.


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Old Sep 2, 2024 | 12:29 PM
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The 68 used some 67 parts...not sure if the 63 used and 62 parts... if not the 63 would be even tougher than the 68. There is a lot of things you can use from a 69 if you dont care about originality or if you get desperate enough and have to make it work. THe steering is about the worst and cant be just swapped piece meal. The spindle and everything attached would need to be swapped and for the steering column you would need to swap the dash brace all the way to the steering box. The windows for late 69 would require alot of track changes as well. The radiator for 68 to 69 would require the support changed and frame nose pieces...that isnt worth it
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Old Sep 2, 2024 | 07:33 PM
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The 68 alternator does not have a voltage regulator built in, it is on the driver side fender. The 68 wiper can and linkage has 1/4" threads that snap. I know! They are 5/16' later on, on 69's. 68's have 327's and not 350's. 68's have basket weave seat patterns. Early 68's did not have the nose rod support to the bottom of the radiator support and the "twist brackets" and triangle inner fender supports. These all supported the very heavy headlight weight on the nose. Otherwise the hood surround cracked. I know that too, the hard way. 68 hood support and hood latches are different than a 69. 68 three front plastic grilles are held differently than a 69.
68 kick panels are different than the 69's. 68 coupe shoulder belts have a rubber buckle holder mounted to the ribbed wall behind the seats. 68's Have a smooth one year only passenger side dash pad. Lou.
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Old Sep 3, 2024 | 02:59 AM
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Hi

Some more differences.
Very early 68 BB had a small block cooler shroud.
Early 68 convertibles have no frame gussets( are those called like that ? ) in the food area.
Did the windshield corner chrome ends get mentioned already, they are 2 piece design versus 1 piece in 69.
Hard top center locating pin in the deck lid not existing on 68 ( or early 68 ? )
Hard top stingers no chrome ends.
Vacuum system for the wiper door no safety switch for wipers not in place.
Seat belt pockets in ctr console on 68 only.

Brgds

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Old Sep 8, 2024 | 06:35 PM
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The 68 top of windshield chrome ends were made in two pieces only on early 68's. After that they were one piece, but the top curve is not as arched up as on 69-up chrome ends. The T-top front stainless steel does not have the four holes in it that all 69-up cars have. The 68 windshield reveal molding on the top of the windshield has more curved outer ends than the replacement 69-up molding.
The 68 door button trim ring is the same as the one's on the C-1's trunk lock button. There are two versions of the small upper center gauge bezel that holds the wiper switch. My car has only one center screw that holds the heater duct outlet. Later ones have two screws to hold the duct. I am not sure if this is a 68 only item. Lou.
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Old Sep 8, 2024 | 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by loup68
The 68 top of windshield chrome ends were made in two pieces only on early 68's. After that they were one piece, but the top curve is not as arched up as on 69-up chrome ends. The T-top front stainless steel does not have the four holes in it that all 69-up cars have. The 68 windshield reveal molding on the top of the windshield has more curved outer ends than the replacement 69-up molding.
The 68 door button trim ring is the same as the one's on the C-1's trunk lock button. There are two versions of the small upper center gauge bezel that holds the wiper switch. My car has only one center screw that holds the heater duct outlet. Later ones have two screws to hold the duct. I am not sure if this is a 68 only item. Lou.
Lou, didn't you once say the 68 back up lights are from the Oldsmobile Cutlass parts bin? .... Just a tid bit of extra information.
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Old Sep 8, 2024 | 07:33 PM
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Yes, years ago someone on the forum said that they were the back up lights on a 68 Oldsmobile Cutlass. And I did check Cutlass pictures. But they had to add an extra insulated ground wire for our Vettes, so they are not identical. I do not know if the repro back up lights have the special plug and wire. Original 68 owners complained about the cool hidden inside door pull, so GM added the extra rubber door pull from the 68 Camaro deluxe door panel. I like the original one myself.
I can't believe that GM spent the time and money making the 68 only rear valance panel with the extra fiberglass back up lamp holder glued on and then cheapened the car and made all 69-82 Corvettes only have two tail lights. Lou.
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Old Sep 8, 2024 | 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted by loup68
Yes, years ago someone on the forum said that they were the back up lights on a 68 Oldsmobile Cutlass. And I did check Cutlass pictures. But they had to add an extra insulated ground wire for our Vettes, so they are not identical. I do not know if the repro back up lights have the special plug and wire. Original 68 owners complained about the cool hidden inside door pull, so GM added the extra rubber door pull from the 68 Camaro deluxe door panel. I like the original one myself.
I can't believe that GM spent the time and money making the 68 only rear valance panel with the extra fiberglass back up lamp holder glued on and then cheapened the car and made all 69-82 Corvettes only have two tail lights. Lou.
Thanks Lou! A fountain of knowledge and a great story teller!
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Old Sep 8, 2024 | 10:52 PM
  #38  
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Early 68 had the driver door rear view mirror mounted about 2 inches further forward. Windshield upper corner molding was a 2 pc design, later switched to the 1pc design used for in later years.
Early seats tracks were different.
vacuum cans under the hood had the coffee can look.
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Old Sep 9, 2024 | 07:41 AM
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Originally Posted by crf311
vacuum cans under the hood had the coffee can look.
68-9 vacuum tank.
​​​​​

Maybe the coffee can style was on later vettes.
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Old Sep 9, 2024 | 07:50 AM
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Coffee can wiper door actuator is probably what is meant. It went to the pie pan later
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