68 and 69 differences
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 35,129
Likes: 12
From: Raleigh, NC
Originally Posted by Corz
I almost bought a 68 but couldnt figure out how to open the damn door
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
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?
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
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
Originally Posted by early shark
Another difference is the exhaust piping, 2 1/2 inch for '68 bigblocks and 2 inch for '69 bigblocks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 1
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
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: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,404
Likes: 791
From: Redondo Beach, California
Originally Posted by Garys 68
Lots of 1 year only parts:
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
Likes: 6
From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
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?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 0
From: Chico Ca
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 0
From: largo florida
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
Likes: 6
From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
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]
[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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
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
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
