1968 Corvette Up Close: What Makes the 1968 Corvette Different

Corvette: Year by Year

1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964
1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976
1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Beginning	The Search	Some That Got Away	June 8, 2011	June 8, 2011 Part 2	Early Days
Mechanic's Review	Money	Differences	September 2011	History	Carb Rebuild
Electrical Frustrations	June, July 2012	Front End	Winter, Spring 2013	Car Shows	Good Times

A Different Corvette

Corvettes are not like other cars. Even amongst a line of cars known for their individuality, the 1968 Corvette stands out.

A lot of the "different" can be explained away as first year jitters. Many people will not buy the first model year of a car, not wanting to take the risk that the bugs haven't been worked out. The 1968 Corvette is pointed out as justification for the theory.

When introduced, the 1968 Corvette was criticized in a number of areas, one of which was interior room. The door panel, above left, looked good but (right) intruded on interior room leaving many occupants feeling cramped in the shoulder area. Starting in 1969, a redesigned interior panel (above right) solved the problem. The door panel in the 1968 Up Close profile Corvette featured a pull handle which was a late 1968 addition. Earlier 1968 Corvettes made do with a horizontal slot which did not last long.

1968 Chevrolet Corvette without Stingray script

1969 Chevrolet Corvette with Stingray script

Topping the differences list is the fact that the 1968 Corvette did not carry the "Stingray" moniker. The mid years Corvettes (1963 to 1967) were known as "Sting Rays" and 1969 through 1976 carried the label "Stingray" (right) above the front fender vents. Why 1968 was passed over is not known.

Safety First?

1969 Chevrolet Corvette seat with A82 headrest option

1968 was the last year for low back seats (above left). Headrests (RPO A82, $42.00) had been available starting in 1967 and only 7.68% of the Corvettes were equipped with them. That percentage went up to 11.19% in 1968. They were listed as the same option in 1969 (for $18.00) but due to federal safety regulations, all Corvettes were equipped with them.

Below left: the dash mounted ignition switch was last seen on 1968 Corvettes. Federal anti-theft rules caused it to be moved to the steering column (below right) starting in 1969. During those years Corvettes were a prime target for car thieves, so there was justification behind the move.

Why?
In the time honored tradition of answering a question that nobody asked, a compartment was supplied behind the hand brake so the seat belt buckles would have a home when they were not in use. I've never actually used them other than to demonstrate their use and to take this photograph. Not seen on previous Corvette years, they also were not continued in 1969.

1968 Chevrolet Corvette door release and handle

1969 Chevrolet Corvette door release and handle

Above left: 1968 Corvette door handle. The lock also served as the door release button and was mounted in a depression in the door. Since this mounting was 1968 only, it is an easy way to identify that model year. But there was an ergonomic down side in that it forced anyone entering the car to use their left hand for the drivers door and their right hand to on the passenger door. Above right: For 1969 and later the rectangular chrome lever, easily operated by either hand, served as the door pull and activated the opening latch.

The shift console surround was different for the 1968 Corvette. Starting in 1969, the area below the shifter (above right) had a plaque offering the vital engine statistics. The red lettering labeling the gears along with the chrome vent controls was not part of 1968 production; I'm not sure how it appeared on my car. Below: 1970 LT-1 engine numbers plaque.

1970 Chevrolet Corvette LT-1 engine plaque

1968 and 1969 Corvettes have a subtle body difference in the wheel flare, which extended to the lower area in 1970 and later Corvettes (above and below right). The 1968 and '69 (above and below left) models were prone to accumulate dirt in the lower rear areas.

Another exclusive: 1968 Corvettes had 15 inch x 7 inch wheels front and rear. They are the only year with this size; 1967 'vettes were 15 inch x 6 inch and 1969 models featured 15 inch x 8 inch wheels.

1968 Chevrolet Corvette backup light, incorporated into the tail light

Continuing with the long list of items differentiating the 1968 Corvette: The backup light (above left) was located under the bumper for 1968. Above right: for 1969 and later years, it was integrated into the tail lights. This was a cost savings, no doubt making the GM bean counters happy.