C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

68 and 69 differences

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 03:03 PM
  #21  
The Saint's Avatar
The Saint
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 35,129
Likes: 12
From: Raleigh, NC
Default

Originally Posted by Corz
I almost bought a 68 but couldnt figure out how to open the damn door
Well until you install the Shark gill inserts, yours looks like a little like a '68 at least...
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 03:34 PM
  #22  
BlueL36's Avatar
BlueL36
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by corvettecris
I have a 68, and I love all the unique one year only thingies.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 04:38 PM
  #23  
John 65's Avatar
John 65
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,380
Likes: 415
From: N J
Default

I would like a 68 over a 69, although most 68's I see have all those little rivet bumps trying to break through the top of the body in the nose area. Whats up with that?
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 05:01 PM
  #24  
wildman378's Avatar
wildman378
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
Default

Originally Posted by John65,80
I would like a 68 over a 69, although most 68's I see have all those little rivet bumps trying to break through the top of the body in the nose area. Whats up with that?
He was bragging about his not having this problem, he said most 68-69's are bad to crack around the pop up lights nad showed that his doesn't and has never had this problem so I have heard that also.

thanks for all the thoughts I've looked more into the differences and it's pretty much a carry over fomr 68 to 69 IMO I do like how the 69 has stingray on the side but I DON'T like the chrome gill inserts that looks a little cheesy to me.

either one is nice and wouldn't matter to me which I found just as long as it ws a convertible 4sp big block
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 05:27 PM
  #25  
early shark's Avatar
early shark
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
Default

Another difference is the exhaust piping, 2 1/2 inch for '68 bigblocks and 2 inch for '69 bigblocks.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 05:35 PM
  #26  
wildman378's Avatar
wildman378
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
Default

Originally Posted by early shark
Another difference is the exhaust piping, 2 1/2 inch for '68 bigblocks and 2 inch for '69 bigblocks.
Thats weird, looks like that would have cut hp a tad but maybe it increased torque a tad.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 06:05 PM
  #27  
early shark's Avatar
early shark
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
Default

Wildman:

It is true, L36, L68, L71, L88, ZL1 all came stock from factory with 2 inch piping only in 1969.

1970,1971 LS5, LS6 came with 2 1/2 inch piping.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 08:01 PM
  #28  
sammyb's Avatar
sammyb
Burning Brakes
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by wildman378
thanks for all the thoughts I've looked more into the differences and it's pretty much a carry over fomr 68 to 69 IMO I do like how the 69 has stingray on the side but I DON'T like the chrome gill inserts that looks a little cheesy to me.

The grill inserts were actually a $21 option. Mine doesn't have them, and actually, less than 1/3rd of '69 production had them. (Just shy of 12,000 cars had them.)

Again, the differences in 68 and 69 are so minimal, I would be more concerned with finding a great car at a great price than picking one year over the other...just my opinion, though.

Sam
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 09:03 PM
  #29  
68/70Vette's Avatar
68/70Vette
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,338
Likes: 786
From: Redondo Beach, California
Default

Originally Posted by Garys 68
Lots of 1 year only parts:
Also add????
Unique manual master brake cylinder (It has built in bleeder nipples) The C2's and 1969 and up Corvettes had different master cylinders.

stamped thin steel valve covers for the SB engines, chromed for the 350HP engine. I understand these steel valve covers are unique for the 1968's.

unique cannister fuel filter below the carb. I think the fuel lines and vapor return were also original.

The plastic front grill pieces were all black plastic. In 1969 they were painted with aluminum paint leading edges.

My 1968 just has a crude bare light bulb in the storage compartment. I think other year Corvette's had a proper standard white plastic lens in the center/top of the compartment.



......

also I suspect the windshield wiper system was also unique in that it didn't work very well. It was changed for 1969 and up. My 1968 windshield wiper system was flawed. I'm going to try to make it work again if I can.

The factory supplied hard top for my convertible just simply didn't fit. It was slightly askewed and it "banged" around on bumpy roads. I stopped using it. It would have taken a substantial effort to make it fit.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 09:17 PM
  #30  
A C's Avatar
A C
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
Likes: 6
From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by John65,80
I would like a 68 over a 69, although most 68's I see have all those little rivet bumps trying to break through the top of the body in the nose area. Whats up with that?
That is the radiator core support rivets that come loose and start working their way out of the fiberglass. Notice their uniform location. Kinda like nail heads working their way out of drywall. They can be repaired fairly easily, but you obviously will need to repaint at least that section.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 09:17 PM
  #31  
Nowhere Man's Avatar
Nowhere Man
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 53,991
Likes: 9,355
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by Paul Borowski
1968...
Unique steering wheel
nope 67 and 68 are the same
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 09:31 PM
  #32  
Love My 72 and 77's Avatar
Love My 72 and 77
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 0
From: Chico Ca
Default

Originally Posted by A C
That is the radiator core support rivets that come loose and start working their way out of the fiberglass. Notice their uniform location. Kinda like nail heads working their way out of drywall. They can be repaired fairly easily, but you obviously will need to repaint at least that section.
That answers a question I was scared to ask! Thanks
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 10:52 PM
  #33  
lostpatrolman's Avatar
lostpatrolman
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 0
From: largo florida
Default

Originally Posted by A C
That is the radiator core support rivets that come loose and start working their way out of the fiberglass. Notice their uniform location. Kinda like nail heads working their way out of drywall. They can be repaired fairly easily, but you obviously will need to repaint at least that section.
Mine has that problem, how do you fix it? Take the support off, bond it to the nose, then grind down the raised areas?
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 11:03 PM
  #34  
A C's Avatar
A C
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
Likes: 6
From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

The guy that did mine (back when I was in my teens and my dad owned my Vette) just ground down the surrounding area, re-riveted the support, re-glassed the ground down parts and repainted it. He was a crappy painter, but it's 15 years later and the front still looks nice and smooth.

[edit - I just talked to dad....the guy didn't even re-rivet it. He just left the original rivets in and went over them with body filler.....and then did the rest. 15 years later and it still looks smooth]

Last edited by A C; Dec 10, 2004 at 06:18 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2004 | 11:08 PM
  #35  
Cali,68,L-79's Avatar
Cali,68,L-79
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Default

Originally Posted by Paul Borowski
1968...
Key on dash
7" Wheels
All Red tailights
Reverse lights below bumper
Smooth center cluster gauge bezel
Push Button door handles
E-Brake console has seat belt buckle pockets
One year radio *****
Unique steering wheel
One year door panels
Coupe coutesy lens
plus a hundred more that I'm too tired to list

Paul you just about hit it. I love my 68 and she's been a trouble free car!!

Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:22 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE