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
“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 |