INTRODUCING THE 1968 CORVETTE

 

We here at Hobby Car Corvettes, located in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, are excited to launch a blog series highlighting the specs and fun facts on every Third Generation Corvette, from from the exciting and slightly rocky beginning in 1968, to the end of the era in 1982. It remains the longest running generation of Corvettes, and we think that speaks to the quality and popularity of the design. We love the C3 Generation, because we truly believe they were, and still are, the cream of the Corvette crop. They say the third time’s a charm, right? We think this rings true for the Corvette family. So wasting no more time, let’s dive right in and get pumped about the first C3 Corvette, the 1968!

 

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE SHARK

 

 

1968 C3 Red and Yellow Corvettes

1968 C3 Red and Yellow Corvettes

 

“Corvette 68”… All different, all over”.

This was the quote for the original sales brochure for the release of the Third Generation Corvette. The honesty of this sales pitch is evidenced by the photos included from the original brochure!

 

It was the year 1968 that we eagerly welcomed the sharkesque inspired Vettes to the Chevrolet family. The C3 Vettes were deemed this title due to their long, sleek, and aggressive design. Whether you could put your finger on exactly why or not, the car just seemed “meaner” this year, and people loved it! What’s better than having a fast car? Having a mean car!

 

the Convertible Coupe 1968

the Convertible Coupe

 

While the chassis and engine were carried over from the second generation Vettes, the C3 Vettes saw a complete remodel of the interior and exterior design. It’s absolutely essential that a car runs well, but when you have a deep love for cars, it is equally important that it turns heads and catches eyes. So this year, Corvette went big in the aesthetics department. This year, the coupe lost it’s fastback window. In its place, the Corvette was fitted with a removable back window and removable t-top, giving it that desirable convertible feel.

 

yellow C3 1968 uncapped

yellow C3 1968 uncapped

 

hardtop red C3 1968

hardtop red C3 1968

 

IT’S ROUGH BEING FIRST BORN

 

Being the first-born in a generation carries a lot of pressure. There hasn’t been opportunity for audience experience and feedback yet, and so you’re bound to take at least a little heat with the praise. The sales for the C3 Vettes didn’t skyrocket until 1969 because a lot of buyers were nervous that there would be bugs and kinks to be worked out, and they weren’t entirely wrong. The customers who did dive right in, gave plenty of feedback on their 1968 Chevrolet Corvette. Most notable, and quickly remedied for the 1969 release, many owners complained heavily about the lack of interior room. There was a design flaw in the interior door panel that left owners feeling cramped in the shoulder area. While the door looked sleek, functionally, it left a lot to be desired.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

 

The first of the third generation Vettes, the 1968, offered the option of an anti-theft alarm system. If you are going to invest in an incredible car like a Corvette, it seems like a great option, right? Even still, only 400 cars ended up equipped with the system. While Vettes from 1963 to 1967, and then 1969 to 1976 were known as, and monikered as Sting Rays and then Stingrays, the 1968 Vette was not technically listed as either. No one is really sure why, but we still love you 1968.

 

A GREAT START

 

At the end of the year, 1968 had a rough start due to skepticism and initial hiccups. Nonetheless, it was the beginning of a great era to come. Someone has to be the front runner. Someone has to figure out what the people want, what they don’t, and how to bring it to them. We here at Hobby Car Corvettes, are grateful for the 1968. Without it, we would not have known the greatest generation of Corvettes to have ever existed. We can’t wait to see what 1969 has to bring us. Stay tuned for our C3 Vette Rundown: The Series.   Continue scrolling for specs, codes, and more original brochure images!

 

variety of vinyl color swatches for 1968 C3

more options, more colors

 

SPECS

Vehicle Specifications Convertible Coupe
Wheelbase, inches 98.0 98.0
Length, inches 182.1 182.1
Width, inches 69.2 69.2
Track, inches front: 58.3 rear: 59.0 front: 58.3 rear: 59.0
Height, inches 47.8 47.8
Curb weight, pounds 3,425 3,260

Mechanical Specifications (2-door convertible/coupe)

Suspension FRONT: Independent; upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar REAR: Independent, lateral leaf springs, struts, U-joint halfshafts, trailing arms, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers
Wheels/Tires 7×15
Brakes FRONT: 11.75-inch disc REAR: 11.75-inch disc
Standard Axle Ratio 3.70:1

 

1968 C3 Corvette

1968 C3 Corvette

 

Engine Specifications

Type ohv V-8 ohv V-8 ohv V-8 ohv V-8 ohv V-8 ohv V-8
Displacement, liters/cu inch 5.35/327 5.35/327 7.0/427 7.0/427 7.0/427 7.0/427
Bore × stroke, inches 4.00 x 3.25 4.00 x 3.25 4.25 x 3.76 4.25 x 3.76 4.25 x 3.76 4.25 x 3.76
Fuel Management 1 x 4-bbl. 1 x 4-bbl. 1 x 4-bbl. 3 x 2-bbl. 3 x 2-bbl. 1 x 4-bbl.
Horsepower @ rpm 300 @ 5,000 350 @ 5,800 390 @ 5,400 400 @ 5,400 435 @ 5,800 430 @ 5,200
Torque @ rpm, pound-foot 360 @ 3,400 360 @ 3,600 460 @ 3,600 460 @ 3,600 460 @ 4,000 450 @ 4,400

 

Published Performance Numbers

Acceleration 300 hp, 4-sp man.
0-60 mph, sec 6.5
0-100 mph, sec NA
1/4-mile, sec @ mph 13.41 @ 109.5

 

Vehicle Production and Base Prices

Car Type Production Price
2-door convertible 18,630 $4,320.00
2-door coupe 9,936 4,663.00

 

Transmission Codes

S Saginaw 3-Speed
P Muncie 4-Speed
K Turbo Hydra-Matic 400, Corvette 327 Engines
L Turbo Hydra-Matic 400, Corvette 427 Engines

 

Color Choices and Production

Color Choice Production Color Choice Production
Tuxedo Black 708 Polar White 1,868
Rally Red 2,918 LeMans Blue 4,722
International Blue 2,473 British Green 4,779
Safari Yellow 3,133 Silverstone Silver 3,435
Cordovan Maroon 1,155 Corvette Bronze 3,374

 

Options, Codes, and Production

CODE DESCRIPTION QUANTITY RETAIL PRICE
19437 Base Corvette Sport Coupe 9,936 $4,663.00
19467 Base Corvette Convertible 18,630 $4,320.00
Genuine Leather Seats 2,429 $79.00
A01 Soft Ray Tinted Glass, All Windows 17,635 $15.80
A02 Soft Ray Tinted Glass, Windshield 5,509 $10.55
A31 Power Windows 7,065 $57.95
A82 Headrests 3,197 $42.15
A85 Custom Shoulder Belt (std. With coupes) 350 $26.35
C07 Auxiliary Hardtop (for convertible) 8,735 $231.75
C08 Vinyl Covering (for auxiliary hardtop) 3,050 52.70
C50 Rear Window Defroster 693 31.60
C60 Air Conditioning 5,664 412.90
F41 Special Front and Rear Suspension 1,758 36.90
G81 Positraction Rear Axle, all ratios 27,008 46.35
J50 Power Brakes 9,559 42.15
J56 Special Heavy Duty Brakes 81 384.45
K66 Transistor Ignition System 5,457 73.75
L36 427 ci, 390hp Engine 7,717 200.15
L68 427 ci, 400hp Engine 1,932 305.50
L71 427 ci, 435hp Engine 2,898 437.10
L79 327 ci, 350hp Engine 9,440 105.35
L88 427 ci, 430hp Engine 80 947.90
L89 Aluminum Cylinder Heads with L71 624 805.75
M20 4-Speed Manual Transmission 10,760 184.35
M21 4-Speed Man Trans, close ratio 12,337 184.35
M22 4-Speed Man Trans, close ratio, heavy duty 80 263.30
M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission 5,063 226.45
N11 Off Road Exhaust System 4,695 36.90
N36 Telescopic Steering Column 6,477 42.15
N40 Power Steering 12,364 94.80
P01 Bright Metal Wheel Cover 8,971 57.95
PT6 Red Stripe Tires, F70x15, nylon 11,686 31.30
PT7 White Stripe Tires, F70x15, nylon 9,692 31.30
UA6 Alarm System 388 26.35
U15 Speed Warning Indicator 3,453 10.55
U69 AM-FM Radio 24,609 172.75
U79 AM-FM Radio, stereo 3,311 278.10