1968 Corvette Concerns
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Well, 'cosmetic', mostly.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
..I believe very early '69's had the '68 style wiper vacuum can.
...only 3197 '68 Corvettes out of 28,566 had the optional headrests.
...I have seen about a dozen very, very late '68s that had the "grain" gauge cluster face.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,453
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From: Republic of Texas
Hi All,
I am currently working a deal for a 1968 Corvette here in Australia but I have my concerns on the vehicle. After doing some research, I found 1968 had some one year only features such as:
- No glove box or glove box pockets
- Reverse lights under the rear bumpers
- Door handles that you push in with your thumb to open
Now the car I am looking at, whilst these details don't really bother me, I just want to know for my own curiosity and in case you get that one NCRS guy telling you everything is wrong - seems to have a mix of 68 and 69 features.
For starters, the door handles are 1969, the VIN 6th digit is a "9" where I believe it should be an "8", but still retains the 1968 dashboard so no glove box, ignition in the dashboard and the reverse lights under the rear bumpers. It is an air con car but what is interesting to me is the alternator is on the right side and the air con is on the left side, shouldn't it be the other way around or was there no specific way they went in and depended on who installed it and on what day?
It is also a 350ci rather than the expected 327ci, were Corvettes available with a 350 in 68? The seller advises it is all numbers matching, I just didn't have the chance to look at the engine numbers to verify against the VIN, I understand engine numbers are stamped on the front of the block, right side of the car?
Perhaps a very early 69 corvette or a fettled with 68? Like to hear your thoughts, thank you!
I am currently working a deal for a 1968 Corvette here in Australia but I have my concerns on the vehicle. After doing some research, I found 1968 had some one year only features such as:
- No glove box or glove box pockets
- Reverse lights under the rear bumpers
- Door handles that you push in with your thumb to open
Now the car I am looking at, whilst these details don't really bother me, I just want to know for my own curiosity and in case you get that one NCRS guy telling you everything is wrong - seems to have a mix of 68 and 69 features.
For starters, the door handles are 1969, the VIN 6th digit is a "9" where I believe it should be an "8", but still retains the 1968 dashboard so no glove box, ignition in the dashboard and the reverse lights under the rear bumpers. It is an air con car but what is interesting to me is the alternator is on the right side and the air con is on the left side, shouldn't it be the other way around or was there no specific way they went in and depended on who installed it and on what day?
It is also a 350ci rather than the expected 327ci, were Corvettes available with a 350 in 68? The seller advises it is all numbers matching, I just didn't have the chance to look at the engine numbers to verify against the VIN, I understand engine numbers are stamped on the front of the block, right side of the car?
Perhaps a very early 69 corvette or a fettled with 68? Like to hear your thoughts, thank you!
If just depends on what you are looking for out of the car. As you mentioned 68 has a lot of one year only parts. But truth be told if you put pen to paper the '69 MY has almost as many but most are not as easily noticeable, it's only when you are restoring one and need to locate parts early vs late '69. My point is for you or anyone else not to be deterred by finding parts. If you are wanting a NCRS car you'll have a little work ahead of you, but if you just want a nice driver this is a non issue.
Any pics of the car?
