Hello everyone. I recently got into an accident in my 1968 stingray on the freeway when another car moved into my lane. Its has its original 327 L79. My front right bumper along with the front right tire is in bad shape, as well as the right pop-up headlight. Other than that the engine is completely fine and runs perfectly, so that's fortunate. I'm familiar with the mechanical aspects of the car, but know next to nothing about bodywork or where to even start. My goal is to get it back on the road looking as good as it did prior to the accident. I'll need a new front end, new chrome bumper, a hood, new rim and hub cap for the front right tire, and possibly a new pop-up headlight. I plan to have it painted by a professional once the parts are on the car.

All that being said, for the front ends I've found there are huge price discrepancies. Just compare these 2 products, the first is around 5k while the second is 2k:
https://www.corvettepartsworldwide.com/Corvette_Parts_68_69_Jig_Assembled_Front _End_Press_p/03-6869fe3p.htm
https://www.zip-corvette.com/70-72-one-piece-fiberglass-front-end-assembly-hl.html

I've even seen some as low as 1700(https://www.jdcorvette.com/68-69-DOOR-TO-DOOR-FRONT-END_p_2152.html). I guess my question is what is the difference between the 5k one or the 2k one? They look the same to me but is the quality really that much of a difference? How difficult would this be for a garage project?

Pictures of the damage:

 

Hope you and the other guy have good insurance...done correctly thats expensive. The differences are in the molding. Hand molded versus vacuum pressed....hand molded is worse...loose strands, air pockets, not as strong. If you believe your car is valuable and should be done correctly, a one piece molded front end isnt correct. A 68 only nose assembled from correct pieces is what you want. You will most likely only be able to get 69 panels. Depending on how early your 68 is will determine if you can find the correct headlight doors. If you car got whacked, you may want to have a body shop laser measure the frame and make sure it didnt bend
You should be thinking about getting the whole car painted because the front will not match the back...ever.

 

This is 100% incorrect. A good painter experienced with Corvettes, paint & fiberglass can match blowing a nose ( no pun ) into the doors making it perfect or nearly impossible to tell. I Had it done on my car. Entire nose, hood etc & blown midway into both doors. The best of the best can't see it even when i point it out. This was done about 10 years ago, and the older paint was 25+ yrs old at the time ( CAN'T TELL ) !!!
All depends on who is holding the gun SEE BELOW: .

 

Note: the color has alot to do with the quality of the blend, Glad yours turned out great
I have never seen a good blended silver for example, And I would blend Black every time

 

Did you zoom in on his paint... the clear coat is shot

 

FUNNY, NOONE ELSE SEEMS TO THINK SO................ BTW: WTF, does that nasty comment have anything to do with blending / blowing paint into the doors ???

 

Insurance will probably total it would be my guess.

 

???WTF are you talking about?? You are going to tell him to match bad paint with no clear coat.....why dont you be honest with the guy. Talk about his car, not something else. Be honest with the guy. He has to find a local painter that will do it right

 

You myvfriend are a complete clown..


Yes lets blend his new front end into paint that looks like this...ya way to go

 

Ya, next time make yourself clear, i posted pics & you replied his clear coat was shot ( zoom in ) thought you were referring to my post. After all, just a miscue - no need for name calling ................KISSES

 

No, im not THAT guy. I generally only refer to the OP. If i was referring to you i would have been complementing you, not attacking a paint job there isnt a clear close up of and looks great in the pics provided.
Glad we could clear that up. Personally my paint has seen better days and it needs everything tip to tale....maybe someday

 

all good forum brother....................

 

OP, where are you located at? There are various corvette speciality shops throughout the country that might be able to get a lead on a good used front clip etc.

 

I would want to know what front end is on the car now ? Very few of these cars have not had some work on them already. Since the car has the bonding strip in the picture it appears to still have its press molded fiberglass but what about the other side? Look for places that have been repaired all ready. To me with the few pictures it looks like it needs an upper surround and a fender. If you put one of the one piece front ends on that is not press molded any potential buyer will quickly figure this out and the price of the car will drop accordingly. Keep in mind 68's use 3 different Headlight assemblies and getting the correct replacement might prove to be difficult. Same for the upper surround, the headlight openings may very a little bit on 68's. There are some very good fiberglass guys out there that could fix what you have using very few new parts. But they are far and few between and many have past on from working with fiberglass all there lives.

 

Lets, NOT forget also the possibility of frame damage. We don't know how hard it was hit ! The car may never go down the road straight again ..... fingers crossed she is ok !!!

Keep us posted.

 

I would check around Craigslist for an original front end. They are out there. I'm from Jersey I've seen several currently in the 750-1500 range. Putting on a front end is work (I'm on my second one) but is doable if you have basic skills. Some great info here and on youtube. I watched alot of videos before I took the plunge. Buying a new one from a vendor takes the same amount of work but I would worry about fitment. I also agree that you need to make doubly sure the frame is straight. The beauty of the body on frame is that all of the issues are repairable unless its really out of whack.