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

 

 

 

“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!

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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!

 

 

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

 

 

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