1968 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

In 1968, both the Chevrolet Corvette’s  body and interior were completely redesigned. As before, the car was available in either coupe or convertible models, but coupes now had new removable “T-Tops” as well as a removable rear window. Convertibles included a soft folding top, while an auxiliary hardtop with a glass rear window was offered for extra cost. Coupes included hold down straps and a pair of vinyl bags to store the roof  panels, and above the luggage area was a rear window storage tray. The new body's concealed headlights now moved into position via a vacuum operated system rather than electrically as on the previous generation, and the new hide-away windshield wipers utilized a problematic vacuum door. The door handles were flush with the top of the doors with a separate release button. "Sting Ray" nameplates were gone from the new 1968 body, but Chevrolet still advertised the car as a Sting Ray. Front fenders had actual functioning engine cooling vents. Side vent windows were done away with from all models, and replaced with an "Astro Ventilation" fresh air circulation system. Interior-wise , a large round speedometer and matching tachometer were positioned in front of the driver. ( right where they should be ) Auxiliary gauges were clustered above the forward end of the console, including Oil pressure , water temp , ammeter, fuel gauge , and an analog clock. A fiber-optic system on the console monitored exterior lights and there was no glove box. The battery was relocated from the engine area to one of three compartments behind the seats to improve weight distribution.

New options of a rear window defroster, anti-theft alarm system, bright metal wheel covers, and an AM-FM Stereo radio were available. (If you ordered a radio, they were fitted with chrome-plated ignition shielding covering the distributor to reduce interference.)

The chassis was carried over from the second generation models, still with the fully independent suspension and the four-wheel disc brake system. Engine line-up and horsepower ratings were also carried over from the previous year as were the 3 and 4-speed manual transmissions. A new optional Turbo Hydramatic 3-speed  automatic tranny  replaced the two-speed Powerglide.  The L30, 300 hp , 327 cu in small block V8  and a 3-speed manual transmission were standard, but only a few hundred 3-speed manual equipped cars were sold. The 4-speed manual was available in M20 wide-ratio or an M21 close ratio transmission version. The heavy duty, close-ratio 4-speed M22 “Rock crusher” gearbox was also available. The V8  line-up included the L79 , 350 hp high performance version of the 327 cu in small-block. Several versions of the 427 cu in big block V8 were also available. There was the L36,  390 hp version with a Rochester 4-barrel carb, The L68,  400 hp V8 with a Holley triple 2-barrel carb set up (3 X 2 tri-power), The L71, which generated 435 hp with a tri-power, the L89 option was actually the L71 engine ( but with much lighter aluminum heads , rather than the standard cast iron.) THEN the ultimate: the L88 engine that Chevrolet designed strictly for racing, with a published rating of 430 hp , but featured a high-capacity 4-barrel carb, aluminum heads,  unique air induction system, and an ultra-high compression ratio of 12.5:1. 

All small block cars had low-profile hoods, and all big block cars had domed hoods for additional engine clearance with twin simulated vents and “427” emblems on either side of the dome. New 7 inch wide steel wheels had F70x15 nylon bias-ply tires standard,  with your choice of optional white or red stripe tires. Rare options were: L88 engine, J56 heavy-duty brakes, UA6 alarm system, and L89 aluminum heads.

Today, owning a big block Corvette can garner eager souls willing to pony up big bucks to possess it. Investment? Yes…but it’s nice to see someone buy a ‘Vette for  it’s real purpose: to PLAY with it. That’s why they were created. Trust me…I’d never lie about that…

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