Hello,

I've recently fallen in love with the C3 and the 1968 - 1969 look...

Can somebody point me in the direction of what are the pros and cons of each year and which one I should be looking in acquiring? Is any of the years better for future appreciation or interest value? I think I'd like a 427 car but I am waiting for the experts on the board here to give me some pro/cons of different features...

Thank you in advance.

 

...

Also if you can please help out suggesting options or key features to look at it would be great to learn as much as possible about these two years' models...

 

not much from me, but the 68 is a shark and the 69 is just a plain 'ol fish.....

and yes there is more as you will soon see.........

 

I didn't think there were that many differences between the two years? Are you thinking of the C2 1967 'shark' model?

This is what I used for reference on the C3:

http://corvettec3.ca/history.htm

Also -- in 1970 there are supposed to be fender modifications but for the life of me I can't see that in pictures -- can anybody post a close-up of the differences between years?

Thanks.

 

The '69 had the Stingray script and the lock set on the doors was not a push button. Also the back-up lights on the '69 are in the main lenses. Chevy modified the door panels for the '69s to provide a little more room inside and '69 was also the first year the ignition was moved to the steering column from the dash. Also the '69 had a smaller diameter steering wheel which can have an impact on bigger guys for leg room.

It is generally accepted that the '68s had some quality problems coming out and that the '69 model year was a good bit better.

Engine choices were more numerous in '69 and the 69s had wider wheels.

 

This is good but out of print. You might find it in ebook format.




They look similar, but there are a multitude of differences between the 68s and the 69s.

Good luck with the hunt.

 

I have a 68 427 / 435, I can tell you from a parts and fit and finish perspective, the 69 is easier to live with. But both are great!

 

I've owned both (68 and 69 Roadsters), and the 69 by far has a better ride. The 68 has a lot of shake when you hit bumps, ruts, potholes, going over rail road tracks, etc... and they added additional bracing in 69 to aleviate this. Other than the ride, the 68 and 69 are pretty much the same when it comes to quality.

Ed

 

As others have stated there are a few differences between the model years. To answer your question about the difference regarding the 69-70 model fender mods, if you look at the 70 from the top of any fender
down to the wheel opening, you will see a slight "bulge" (flare) that is more pronounced on the 70 than the 69. This was done to reduce damage to the fenders due to stones being kicked up from the road. Also C3's are referred to as sharks b/c the car was based on the Mako Shark 2 (later Manta Ray) concept car.

 

We have had (5) '69's over th e years and minus some minor interior/exterior differences it's the same car. My 68 is as reliable/better as any ' 69 I had. The '69 is the least rare among chrome bumper C3's/highest production number so there are more out there so go with whichever you can find the best deal.

 

I have a '68 BB driver quality car.
If you go '68 make sure the interior is complete as there are many 1 year only '68 parts inside the '68.
I like the one year only push button doors and the reverse lights in the rear lower valance.
My coupe is only 1 of 9,000 made. I love the 1 yr only Safari yellow.
Add the 427 and it's a really cool car that gets more eyes on her than if I went out and bought a new z06.
If you get a complete '68 car there really is no issues when compared to a '69-'72.
In '70 they deviated from the shark gills and went with the egg crate style vents till '72.
'73 they dropped the inserts completely and went with open style vents.
None handle rough roadways well let alone RR tracks
I like having the 1yr only 1st year design c-3.
But then I'm weird so it's a matter of choice
Marshal

 

Get either year. The 390 hp version will give you the most car for your money. Mine puts out over 500 torque at 3100 rpm and will plaster your butt in the seat as good as any of them. Forget about auto and A/C. This is a sports car and meant to be driven like one. Power brakes are not necessary, power steering is. The car will rattle your brains and scare the heck out of women and small children. You could very easily get a ticket.

All the other stuff is just fluff. Coupe or convertible. Red or black or blue or green or yellow or silver...whatever. Future appreciation and interest? The higher horsepower versions will increase further in value due to supply versus demand. There were less of them sold back in the day because they cost more. Same holds true today. Sounds like you better buy a real deal car rather than something that has been cobbled together. Original or correctly restored cars will always do better than modified cars when it comes to the return of your investment. Notice that I did not say return on investment. Virtually nobody has made money on these cars for many years now. That could change soon...but what the heck does anybody know? The best we can hope for is to have some hedge againt hyper inflation.

A base motor POS '68 coupe in lousy condition, without it's original motor, repainted some other color, could be had for less than 10 grand. A Top Flight or Bloomington Gold '69 427/435 L89 convertible with side exhaust, fully documented could run well into 6 figures. A blue L88 convertible recently sold for $750k. That yellow '69 ZL-1 on Bizzoco's book cover is reportedly worth in excess of $3 million. We all would like to have the money to afford the best, but unfortunately most of us will have to settle for less. I am very happy with mine.

What's in your wallet?

 

No, my 68...I refer to it as a Shark as it is close to the Mako`s styling and no "Stingray emblems...

I forget what year had the little mud caps at the very lower part of the fenders were added...suppost to stop the rock chips...that may be what was reffered too about fender modifications......except for this feature, the bodys are the same....

and I like the 68`s grill, no egg crate s ,,,nor does the 69.....

Mine, .. and i`m prejudice so take it for what its worth....



PS, buy the one YOU want......

 

If a picture is worth a 1,000 words you have just seen a gold mine!
68 Safari yellow BB doesn't get much better than that.
You'll get more looks than Ms. Hurst did
Thee Marshal

 

had and restored both, the 69 is a better overall car, and easy to sell compered to the 68. 69 had more frame reinforcements, better interior, some improvements in general. but 68 and 69s are coolest looking c3s, and the last years of the 427 .

 

Except for the silver ones...

 

As with any 40 year old car, buy condition and quality, not price.

Have someone experienced with Corvettes to inspect the car before you buy it.

 

68s are like 63s a lot of one year only parts that cost twice as much as 69 parts. 69s drive a little better but I would not pass on a real good 68.
Mark

 

Try to get a '69 if poss as my friend has a '68 (i've got a '71) and lots of parts are unique to a '68 which make it a pain and more expensive.

I personally prefer the '70-'72 as the flared arches make it look more aggressive IMHO, but I prefer the '69 front, so i'm going to install that on my '71, I prefer the '69 gills as well but that's too much agro!

Good luck with your search and let us see what you get

 

Buy the most correct, in the best condition, '68 or '69 Corvette you can afford.
Stay away from projects or "just needs a little TLC" unless you know the cars and can do the work yourself. They will eat up your wallet and your patience.
Good luck in your search.