brassplyer

Ignoring potential resale/collector value is there anything outstanding from an engineering, comfort, driveability standpoint that makes any year in this range superior to the others? I left out '72 - '73 because of the diminished performance but include those too if you really think there's something about them that's noteworthy and superior to the '68 - '71. Or are they all pretty much the same?

Dynra Rockets

No. they are essentially the same from a "engineering, comfort, driveability" standpoint

69ttop502

jim2527

And then there's the early/late '70 but that no big deal either.

scottjamison

I agree with Bill. I wouldn't give up my 68 for anything, but it does have some very odd 68 only parts.
I wanted a 68 because it was made the same year I was, but if I was going from scratch to restore, I would limit it to 69-71.
For example the door locks are super hard to find and the locks are >$400 usually when you find them. Don't get me started on the gas pedal!

AZDoug

The only real performance diminishment on a '72 vs the '71 is they said it had lower HP without really changing anything in the motor. Its an illusion. CR, cam, heads, manifold are the same.
Doug

jb78L-82

This is true^^^^^^^. All the 71-74 LT1/L-82's are basically the same engine with minor changes to effect the Gross HP (71 LT1) and the Net HP (73/74 L-82) +/- 5 hp.

The only real standouts are the 70 LT-1 with 11:1 Compression (370 Gross HP) and the LS6 454. All the others are pure marketing differences......

derekderek

Engineering-comfort...80-82. but I think you are focused on chromies.

7T1vette

If the original parts have lasted this long, it shouldn't be an issue. And if they haven't, they've been replaced and the question is moot.

cv67

^^^^They are old cars...its all how you keep up on them

The13Bats

While i own a 69 i really like a few things on the 68,

I love the dash mounted ignition switch, so much so im going to install a 68 dash pad to get it,
But i like tilt tele that 68 didnt have.

Im using a later dash top pad to run speakers,

The safer 4 stop lights tail lights on a 68 to me is better.
Moot on my 69 with custom tail lights

And while many hate it i dig the 68 push button door,

The 68 69 side louvers are my favs of the side vents,

68s early do not have the extra rear frame bracing i added it to my 68 frame under my 69,

scottjamison

Good point on the dash key and tail lights. I like those a lot.
I got an Ididit steering column to get tilt so I fit better.

jackson

Seems I got my second 1971 about 15 years back. I'm partial to chrome front & rear bumpers; also to egg crate-ice tray fender trim shared across 70, 71, 72. If you want an antique driver that's an original piece (and plan to keep it so), suggest buyer pay attention to compression ratio.
It's my understanding GM lowered compression ratios globally beginning with model year 1971. Seems 1970 retained small combustion chamber and higher compression...more pep. But seems a driver with a lower comp, carb and non-computer motor fits better with today's typical pump gas. We can choose a model that best fits our wants and needs; then retain its originality... or pick one for modifications... whatever suits the owner.

theandies

Nobody has even mentioned the '68 -'71 fiber optics lamp monitoring system. I really dig mine and it works great.......when it's working lol. I don't know why that is not used even today as it's some cool engineering. My guess it was discontinued in '72 to lower manufacturing costs. I know it's told me that a bulb is out and more importantly my brake lights were not working that led me to a intermittent faulty brake light switch.

EDIT - Also like the wiper door. Can be frustration to some but I'll never get rid of mine. One day I took my son to his football game in my '71 and when we came out someone was putting fliers under windshield wipers of all the cars. We just happen to be walking to the Vette when he got to it. We watched him look for the wipers for a minute or two and then just moved on to the next car. I pointed it out to my son and we were laughing about it.

TimAT

The early 68's had smaller diameter wheel bearings- they were burning up bearings on the long races. Mr. Duntov made the engineers go to bigger bearings. No more problems.

jpatrick62

They are basically the same car, albeit with some minor changes in 69. The 69 machine had 8 inch wheels versus the 68's 7 inch wheel, so in theory this should make the 69-71 machines
a bit better cornering. As if to anticipate the larger wheels, the 69 spindles are beefier than the 68 versions as well. I believe there were some mods to the frame for 69 to negate some of the
body shakes as well, but I haven't been able to confirm that.

jb78L-82

The 63-82 C2/C3's are basically the same and very similar:

"Frames from 1963 - 1982 are basically the same. There are a few small differences over the years. The biggest change came between the years of 1968 - 1969 when they added the large gussets to the uprights. " From another post a few years ago validating the statement above.........

Jebbysan

I beg to correct......the LT-1 and L-82 had different camshafts (solid vs. hydraulic) and different intakes (high rise aluminum vs. low rise Q-Jet cast iron). 70 Lt-1 had the small chamber heads......71' AND 72' had large chamber heads but were otherwise identical. Corvettes and Z/28 Camaros shared the engines (LT-1 and L-82) form 70 to 74'. The LT-1 and L-82 DID share the same forged short block assembly with high pressure oil pump and trap door oil pan.

The 72' was almost identical to a 71' in almost everyway except for the lack of fiber optics and amber front turns as well as other minute changes. The 72' engines were also the same....but rated with SAE net instead of gross horsepower which now years later we know that both were way off........

I like personally the 69' as it was more refined than a 68' and it still had a barrage of engine choices..........it also had no fender "flares" which makes for a tighter look....although the later 70-72's look cool with them as well.......69' had off road exhaust available too which was the only year and was a uber cool option......it also looks great!

I love my 72' though.......the eggcrate side gills and flares make it very unique in my eyes........

Jebby

gearheadz

I'm biased but IMO the '70 L-46 was a performance standout as well especially for the $$. The '70 L-46 long block (350 GHP) was same as the '70 LT-1 except LT-1 had a solid lifter cam. Induction differences were cast iron intake/Quadrajet to Aluminum/Holley. Both were all manual cars, no autos. When I was looking for a car way back in '89, I drove a '70 LT-1 and a '70 L-46 from same owner to compare. L-46 was actually quicker and it just happened to be a nicer color and a rag top so I went with that one. Addt'l note ... '70 model year are the lowest production C3 due to the strike. Have never regretted my decision. Good luck with your search!

The13Bats

I didn't mention as 68 to 71 have them,
I like it a lot, for the brakes, license plate lamp which ive been pulled over for more times than i can count,
Headlight optics are a bit redundant, i can see if they are on.
It was a weird cool feature they should have kept.