C3 questions from a C1 guy
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Austin tx
C3 questions from a C1 guy
Hey folks,
I have an opportunity with an NOM 68 big block car, but am only familiar with C1s so I was hoping you could help me out.
Did the '68 big blocks come with A/C, power brakes, etc. or were they pretty much performance oriented?? The seller is saying everything besides the engine is #s matching on the car.
Is there any way to tell if the car is an original BB car (my understanding is that the '68 vin tags don't give this info, much like the 1968 Camaros)??
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
I have an opportunity with an NOM 68 big block car, but am only familiar with C1s so I was hoping you could help me out.
Did the '68 big blocks come with A/C, power brakes, etc. or were they pretty much performance oriented?? The seller is saying everything besides the engine is #s matching on the car.
Is there any way to tell if the car is an original BB car (my understanding is that the '68 vin tags don't give this info, much like the 1968 Camaros)??
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
In '68 those were still the days for folks to pick options themselves - so you could have a variety of options. On my '70 I have pw, pb, ps, til/tel with standard interior rather than custom interior. Don't know how to to tell originally of a 68 but I 'm sure someone will chime in. In these days of high paint costs - $8000+ -- I personally would look at the condition of the fiberglass and interior - these items are more expensive than to replace a motor.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
The higher the HP, the less likely to have the creature comforts. I owned a matching numbers 1968 L36 (390 hp 427) convertible with AC, Power Steering, Power brakes, and stereo. L88's definitely did not have AC, and I believe that 435HP tripower cars were also not available w/ AC. There were some 400HP tripower /AC cars, that were basically detuned 435HP cars. 400's were pretty much the same as 435hp cars with the exception of cam profile and the carbs. While they shared many common parts, the carburetors had part numbers unique to 400HP cars. This mainly reflected differences in fuel jetting. There were two different versions of the 435HP car, an iron head version, and an aluminum head version.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,989
From: Connecticut, USA
Taking the engine out of the equation, you will want to really check the rest of the car. 68's had a lot of 1 off parts like the 63's had so the restore cost shoots up. Along with the frame and drivetrain concerns all C2 & C3's have.
Also have you driven in a 68 for a while? They have a whole different feel then a C1 will have, many people with the C1 & C2 of the day didn't care for the fit of the car when they came out.
Also have you driven in a 68 for a while? They have a whole different feel then a C1 will have, many people with the C1 & C2 of the day didn't care for the fit of the car when they came out.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Austin tx
The higher the HP, the less likely to have the creature comforts. I owned a matching numbers 1968 L36 (390 hp 427) convertible with AC, Power Steering, Power brakes, and stereo. L88's definitely did not have AC, and I believe that 435HP tripower cars were also not available w/ AC. There were some 400HP tripower /AC cars, that were basically detuned 435HP cars. 400's were pretty much the same as 435hp cars with the exception of cam profile and the carbs. While they shared many common parts, the carburetors had part numbers unique to 400HP cars. This mainly reflected differences in fuel jetting. There were two different versions of the 435HP car, an iron head version, and an aluminum head version.
This is what the seller has said the car has from the factory:
*PS
*Original M21 4-speed
*Disc brakes all around
*Headrest option
*AM-FM stereo option
*Factory A/C (no compressor and currently not hooked up)
*Black top (have a new one with weatherstripping ready to install)
He also e-mailed me that based on his research it is an original 390 HP BB.
So far it sounds like there are no "tell all" signs that would prove if this was a BB car, right?? Again, any help on this would be greatly appreciated!!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
My 68 was originally a 390 car so a few things to check are,
Half shaft caps bolt to the differential yokes, no "u" clamps.
Rear sway bar. An OEM bar has a link between the mounting bracket on the trailing arm and the bar itself. An aftermarket bar will have a flat steel bar mounted to the trailing arm.
There will be a fuel return line on a 390 car as they used a Q-jet as the sb cars did.
No coolant catch tank on the bb cars.
I'm sure there is more.
Half shaft caps bolt to the differential yokes, no "u" clamps.
Rear sway bar. An OEM bar has a link between the mounting bracket on the trailing arm and the bar itself. An aftermarket bar will have a flat steel bar mounted to the trailing arm.
There will be a fuel return line on a 390 car as they used a Q-jet as the sb cars did.
No coolant catch tank on the bb cars.
I'm sure there is more.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Austin tx
My 68 was originally a 390 car so a few things to check are,
Half shaft caps bolt to the differential yokes, no "u" clamps.
Rear sway bar. An OEM bar has a link between the mounting bracket on the trailing arm and the bar itself. An aftermarket bar will have a flat steel bar mounted to the trailing arm.
There will be a fuel return line on a 390 car as they used a Q-jet as the sb cars did.
No coolant catch tank on the bb cars.
I'm sure there is more.
Half shaft caps bolt to the differential yokes, no "u" clamps.
Rear sway bar. An OEM bar has a link between the mounting bracket on the trailing arm and the bar itself. An aftermarket bar will have a flat steel bar mounted to the trailing arm.
There will be a fuel return line on a 390 car as they used a Q-jet as the sb cars did.
No coolant catch tank on the bb cars.
I'm sure there is more.
Thanks!!!
Last edited by remotecontroller; Jul 9, 2009 at 04:22 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,278
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi RC,
As others have said since the "original" motor is gone the condition of the rest of the car will have the biggest impact on the car's value.
What your plans for this car are will help decide if this might be a car you need to look at seriously.
As you know some of these cars can eat up $$$ faster than you can print them.
Regards,
Alan
Hi, I just read your last post and I'd be surprsed if the frame was being drilled for any reason. I'd think the frame was punched for all drive train and suspension possibilities. I'm pretty sure by 70 the holes were there on all frames.
As others have said since the "original" motor is gone the condition of the rest of the car will have the biggest impact on the car's value.
What your plans for this car are will help decide if this might be a car you need to look at seriously.
As you know some of these cars can eat up $$$ faster than you can print them.
Regards,
Alan
Hi, I just read your last post and I'd be surprsed if the frame was being drilled for any reason. I'd think the frame was punched for all drive train and suspension possibilities. I'm pretty sure by 70 the holes were there on all frames.
Last edited by Alan 71; Jul 10, 2009 at 04:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Austin tx
Hi RC,
As others have said since the "original" motor is gone the condition of the rest of the car will have the biggest impact on the car's value.
What your plans for this car are will help decide if this might be a car you need to look at seriously.
As you know soe of these cars can eat up $$$ faster than you can print them.
Regards,
Alan
Hi, I just read your last post and I'd be surprsed if the frame was being drilled for any reason. I'd think the frame was punched for all drive train and suspension possibilities. I'm sure by 70 the holes were there on all frames.
As others have said since the "original" motor is gone the condition of the rest of the car will have the biggest impact on the car's value.
What your plans for this car are will help decide if this might be a car you need to look at seriously.
As you know soe of these cars can eat up $$$ faster than you can print them.
Regards,
Alan
Hi, I just read your last post and I'd be surprsed if the frame was being drilled for any reason. I'd think the frame was punched for all drive train and suspension possibilities. I'm sure by 70 the holes were there on all frames.
Thanks All!!!
I am not sure what to do but I will let you know either way. If I buy this, it will sit for a while while I finish up the restoration on my '58.
Thanks again and happy weekend!!