Reader-Owned 1968 Corvettes
What makes a 1968 Corvette a 1968
The 1968 Corvette was the first of the third generation and the biggest visual change the car had seen since 1963. The Mako Shark styling brought pop-up headlights, a removable rear window and, on the coupe, the two removable roof panels that gave the T-top its name. The convertible outsold the coupe that first year, the only time in the C3 run that it did. First-year cars are easy to spot: no name on the front fenders, a fibre-optic light monitoring system, and door handles with a separate push button above the pull. Base engine was the 327 cubic inch small block at 300 horsepower, with the 427 big block available all the way up to the L88.
Below are the 1968 cars that readers of Corvette-C3.com have sent in over the years, in the words of the people who own them. Click any photo to see it full size. If you own a 1968, send yours in and it will be added here.
Linas's 1968 Corvette
I thought I would share some pictures of my '68 327/300 4speed - starting from when I bought it from a guy on the Corvette Forum right up till yesterday, when I had an awesome ride. One small detail - I live in Lithuania (Europe), so it was not like buying a car from within the neighbourhood.
The picture above shows how it looked when I first saw it on Corvette Forum.
I did not think about it too long and I purchased it within a week since I saw it for the first time. Here it is being loaded for the longest ride of its life a half a world away.
The previous owner is keeping things under control as the car is being loaded onto the hauler. It was then taken from Texas to NY and loaded on a container.
After three months of waiting, it finally arrives ay my place!
Here it is. The monkeys from the shipping company crashed the front bumper, broke off one of the side exhaust mufflers (that's ok, I did not like them anyway) and messed up with the ignition. I could not start the car even with a new battery.
Anyhow, I fixed things up, sorted out the documentation, registered the car, got the insurance, and took my '68 for a ride after a few weeks.
As winter set in, the repaint and general restoration started as well.
Done with repaint an reassembly has been started. It was painted code-correct Silverstone Silver, exactly the same color it had when it left the factory.
I just took it from the shop and can't wait to drive it! Wipers and turn signal lights still don't work, same with back-up lights and the radio...but who cares!
And this is a picture from yesterday's ride. There are still some minor things to fix and some new chrome goodies to buy. Instead of the ugly looking side exhaust, I put an under car chambered exhaust system and now I have deep throaty rumble with smooth looks on the sides, not distorted by side pipes (sorry side exhaust guys, no offence).
Binnie writes:
A great story about a great car. If our friends across the ocean keep buying up these cars, we may be going there to shop. Enjoy the ride Linas, we enjoyed the story!
C3 Corvette's 1968 Corvette
This is my '68 coupe, matching #'s L79 (in garage), rebuilt roller BB under hood, M21, power brakes, Safari Yellow. I bought from a Corvette Forum member in June '07 and lovin' it ever since.
Future plans include rebuilding the suspension and taking it to Carlisle this year. Enjoy the pictures and don't forget to wave!
Binnie writes:
The scenery is just stunning in these pictures taken on the Alaskan Highway (part of the British Columbia portion in Canada). Thanks so much for sharing them with us.
Alan's 1968 Corvette
1968, L68 427 - 400HP with 4 speed. As for a little history, the car was in a garage of a house I purchased in 02. It didn't run and had blue overspray paint all over it, (including the motor). The heads, carburetors, etc were in a basket. As you can see it has come a long way.
Binnie writes:
A C3 in the garage sure would be a buying factor for any real estate that I would be buying!
Mike's 1968 Corvette
I am the original owner of this 1968 Convertible. This was one of the very first C3's, the Vin Number makes it number 83. It has about 48,000 miles on it now and runs great. It's a 327 small block 300 HP car with a 4 speed. I work at the Corvette Assembly Plant. It's quite a jump going from a 1968 to a 2009.
Binnie writes:
This is the oldest C3 that I have come across. Mike works at the Corvette Assembly plant. It is also kind of ironic that both Mike and I had 340 'cudas. I am not going to mention how fast Mike was going when he received his speeding ticket :-)
Barry's 1968 Corvette
This is a frame off restoration by Dan and his team of Toronto. Car now has a 290 HP crate engine, Edelbrock intake, HEI ignition, aluminum water pump. The car basically has new everything with the exception of tranny and shifter (coming soon if Santa is good).
Binnie writes:
Last week I featured Mike's gorgeous '68 and I stated with VIN sequence number 83, it was the earliest C3 that I had seen. Barry's '68 that you see here has sequence number 32. That probably means that Barry's car came off the line the first day of production in September of '67 and possibly during the first shift. Barry does have access to the original 'numbers matching' engine.
