1968 Corvette

The Corvette's first major restyling since 1963 occurred in 1968.
As the sales brochure read, "Corvette '68... all different all over"
The fast-back was replaced by a tunneled-roof coupe.
It featured a removable back window and a two-piece detachable roof section or T-top.
The convertible's optional hardtop had a glass rear window.
The front end was more aerodynamic than those on previous Corvettes.
As before, the headlights were hidden.
Now they were vacuum-operated, rather than electrical.
The wipers also disappeared when not in use.
Except for the rocker panels, the sides were devoid of chrome.
Conventional door handles were eliminated and in their place were push buttons.
The blunt rear deck contained four round taillights with the word Corvette printed in chrome in the space between them.
The wraparound, wing-like rear bumper and license plate holder treatment resembled that used on the 1967 models.
Buyers had their choice of 10 exterior colors
- Tuxedo Black
- Polar White
- Corvette Bronze
- LeMans Blue
- International Blue
- Cordovan Maroon
- Rally Red
- Silverstone Silver
- British Green
- Safari Yellow
All convertibles came with a choice of Black, White or Beige soft tops.
Interior colors were
- Black
- Red
- Medium Blue
- Dark Blue
- Dark Orange
- Tobacco
- Gunmetal

V.I.N. NUMBERS

The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 194687S100001 to 194678S128566
Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 194378S100001 to 194378S128566

Position	Character	Description
1	1	Chevrolet Division
2 & 3	94	body series: Corvette
4 & 5	67	convertible
4 & 5	37	coupe
6	8	1968
7	S	Assembled in St. Louis, MO
8 to 13	100001 to 128566	production sequence

Engine serial number

1 to 7	0001001	sequential production number
8	F or T	Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
9 to 10	Carburetion & transmission	HE = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor HO = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.0:1 compression ratio, Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission, and four barrel carburetor HP = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor HT = 327-cid 350-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor IL = 427-cid 390-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, manual or automatic transmission, four-barrel carburetor IM = 427-cid 400-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and three two-barrel carburetors IO = 427-cid 400-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission, and three two-barrel carburetors IQ = 427-cid 390-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission, and four-barrel carburetor IR = 427-cid 435-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and three two-barrel carburetor IT = 427-cid 430-hp V-8 with 12.5:1 compression ratio, manual transmission and four-barrel carburetor IU = 427-cid 435-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and three two-barrel carburetors

Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number
The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
The Fisher Body Style Number 68-19467 identifies a Corvette convertible
The Fisher Body Style Number 68-19437 identifies a Corvette coupe
The body number is the production serial number of the body.
The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
The ten 1968 Corvette exterior colors were:
- 900 = Tuxedo Black
- 972 = Polar White
- 974 = Rally Red
- 976 = LeMans Blue
- 978 = International Blue
- 983 = British Green
- 984 = Safari Yellow
- 986 = Silverstone Silver
- 988 = Cordovan Maroon
- 992 = Corvette Bronze
Upholstery Codes

Color	Vinyl Upholstery	Leather Upholstery
Black	STD	402
Red	407	408
Blue	411	412
Bright Blue	414	415
Orange	425	426
Tobacco	435	436
Gunmetal	442

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
194	37	1968 Corvette 2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger	$4663	3055 lb	9,936
194	67	1968 Corvette 2-dr. Convertible - 2 passenger	$4347	3070 lb	18,630

ENGINE

Feature	Standard Engine (RPO L75)	Optional Engine (RPO L79)	Optional Engine (RPO L36)	Optional Engine (RPO L71)	Optional Engine (RPO L88)
Type	V-8, Overhead valve
Block	Cast iron block
Displacement	327 cid		427 cid
Bore & Stroke	4.00 x 3.25"		4.251 x 3.76"
Compression ratio	10.25:1	11.0:1	10.25:1	11.0:1	12.5:1
Brake horsepower	300 @ 5000	350 @ 5800	390 @ 5400	435 @ 5800	560 @ 6400
Torque	360 lb-ft @ 3400	360 lb-ft @ 3600	460 lb-ft @ 3600	460 lb-ft @ 4000
Main bearing	five
Valve lifters	hydraulic			Mechanical valve lifters
Camshaft		high-performance camshaft		Special-performance camshaft	Special ultra-high-performance camshaft with .5365-inch intakes
Fuel supply	Rochester Type 4MV four-barrel Model 7028207	Holley four-barrel		Three Holley two-barrels	Single Holley 850CFM four-barrel

TRANSMISSION

Standard Manual Transmission	Automatic Transmission	Optional Manual Transmission	Optional Manual Transmission	Optional Manual Transmission
Three-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter	Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter (optional)	High-performance four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter	Special high-performance four-speed manual all-synchromesh close-ratio transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter	Special heavy-duty four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter

CHASSIS

Feature	Convertible	Coupe
Wheelbase	98 inches (2.489 m)	98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length	182.1 inches (4.625 m)	182.1 inches (4.625 m)
Overall width	69.2 inches (1.758 m)	69.2 inches (1.758 m)
Overall height		48.6 inches (1.234 m)
Front tread	58.3 inches (1.481 m)	58.3 inches (1.481 m)
Rear tread	59.0 inches (1.499 m)	59.0 inches (1.499 m)
Frame	Full-length ladder type with five cross members. Steel box sections, welded.
Front suspension	Independent, unequal-length A-arms, coil springs; tubular shocks and stabilizer bar
Rear suspension	Independent, trailing arms, toe links, transverse chromium-carbon steel leaf spring, tube shocks, and anti-roll bar
Steering	Saginaw recirculating ball, 17.6:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 39.9 turning circle
Rear axle type	Sprung differential, Hypoid gear
Brakes	Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.8-inch diameter, single calipers
Total swept area	259 sq. in. per ton, 461.2 sq. in. total
Wheels	6" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc
Standard rear axle ratio	3.36:1
Optional rear axle ratio	3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1

OPTIONS

RPO 898	Genuine leather seat trim	$79
RPO A01	Soft-Ray tinted glass, all windows	$15.80
RPO A31	Electric power windows	$57.95
RPO A82	Headrests	$42.15
RPO A85	Custom shoulder harness	$26.35
RPO C07	Auxiliary hardtop for convertible	$231.75
RPO C08	Vinyl cover for auxiliary hardtop	$52.70
RPO C50	Rear window defroster	$31.60
RPO C60	Air conditioning	$412.90
RPO F41	Special front and rear suspension	$36.90
RPO G81	Positraction rear axle, all ratios	$42.35
RPO J50	Power brakes	$42.15
RPO J56	Special heavy-duty brakes	$384.45
RPO K66	Transistor ignition system	$73.75
RPO L36	427-cd 390-hp V-8	$200.15
RPO L68	427-cid 400-hp V-8	$305.50
RPO L71	427-cid 435-hp V-8	$437.10
RPO L81	427-cid 435-hp V-8	$437.10
RPO L79	327-cid 350-hp V-8	$105.35
RPO L88	427-cid 560-hp V-8	$947.90
RPO M20	Four-speed manual transmission	$184.30
RPO M21	Four-speed close-ratio manual transmission	$184.30
RPO M22	Heavy-duty close-ratio four-speed manual transmission	$263.30
RPO M35	Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission	$226.45
RPO N11	Off-road exhaust system	$36.90
RPO N36	Telescopic steering wheel	$42.15
RPO P01	Bright metal wheel cover	$57.95
RPO PT6	Red stripe nylon tires F70 x 15	$31.30
RPO PT7	F70 x 15 white stripe tires	$31.35
RPO UA6	Alarm system	$26.35
RPO U15	Speed-warning indicator	$10.55
RPO U69	AM-FM radio	$172.75
RPO U79	Stereo radio	$278.10

HISTORICAL NOTES

Just over 80 percent of 1968 Corvettes were equipped with four-speed manual transmission
81 percent had tinted glass
36.3 percent had power steering
19.8 percent had air conditioning
33.7 percent had power brakes.
The L79-powered Corvette of this year could go from 0-to-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and from 0-to-100 mph in 20.7 seconds.
The L71-powered Corvette of this year could go from 0-to-30 in 3.0 seconds; from 0-to-5O in 5.3 seconds and from 0-to-60 in 6.5 seconds.
It did the quarter mile in 13.41 seconds at 109.5mph.
Top speed (L71) was 142 mph.

1968 CORVETTE

V.I.N. NUMBERS

IDENTIFICATION

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

1968 CORVETTE PHOTOS

LITERATURE & LINKS