1968 Corvette Resources

Equipment or products directly related to the Corvette. Click to view:

1968 Chevrolet Service Manual
PDF Download

$17.95 – Click Below to Purchase
1968 Chevrolet Service Manual

Need New Springs or Shocks?
Get the Exact Springs for your Corvette

Click Here for

• Corvette

1968 Corvette Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes

Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:

1968 Corvette:

1968 Corvette Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1968 Corvette Facts

For 1968, both the Corvette body and interior were completely redesigned. As before, the car was available in either coupe or convertible models, but the coupe was now a notchback fitted with a near-vertical removable rear window and removable “T-top” roof panels. A soft folding top was standard with convertibles, while an auxiliary hardtop with a glass rear window was offered at additional cost. This top could be vinyl covered as an option. Included with coupes were hold down straps and a pair of vinyl bags to store the removable roof panels, while above the luggage area was a stowage tray for the removable rear window. Buyers had their choice of 10 exterior colors.

The new body’s concealed headlights were operated by an engine vacuum system rather than electrically as on the previous generation, and the new hide-away windshield wipers utilized a vacuum door that was sometimes troublesome. The door handles were flush with the top of the doors and used a separate release button. Front fenders had functional engine cooling vents. Side vent windows were eliminated from all models, replaced with “Astro Ventilation”, a fresh air circulation system.

Inside the cabin, the dashboard was redesigned, though thematically similar to the earlier car. A large round speedometer and matching tachometer were positioned in front of the driver. Auxiliary gauges were clustered above the forward end of the console and included oil pressure, water temperature, ammeter, fuel gauge, and a clock. There was a fiber-optic system on the console that monitored exterior lights. A glove box was not available. The battery was moved from the engine area to one of three compartments behind the seats to improve weight distribution. Options included a rear window defroster, anti-theft alarm system, bright metal wheel covers, and an AM/FM Stereo radio. As with the previous cars, all cars ordered with a radio were fitted with chrome-plated ignition shielding covering the distributor to reduce interference.

The chassis was carried over from the second generation (C2) models, retaining the fully independent suspension with minor revisions and the four-wheel disc brake system. The engine line-up and horsepower ratings were also carried over from the previous year, as were the 3- and 4-speed manual transmissions. The new optional Turbo Hydramatic 3-speed automatic transmission (RPO M40) replaced the two-speed Powerglide. The L30, a 327 CID V-8 rated at 300 HP and a 3-speed manual transmission were standard, however only a few hundred 3-speed manual equipped cars were sold. The 4-speed manual was available in M20 wide-ratio or M21 close-ratio transmission versions. The M22 heavy duty, close-ratio 4-speed gearbox was also available. New were the seven-inch wide steel wheels with F70 x 15 nylon bias-ply tires standard and with either white or red stripe tires optional. Rare options were: L88 engine (80), J56 heavy-duty brakes (81), UA6 alarm system (388), and L89 aluminum heads (624).

The engine line-up included:

• • L30 – 327 CID V-8 rated at 300 HP.
  • L79 – 327 CID V-8 rated at 350 HP.
  • L36 – 427 CID V-8 rated at 390 HP (Rochester 4-barrel carburetor).
  • L68 – 427 CID V-8 rated at 400 HP (Holley triple 2-barrel carburetors).
  • L71 – 427 CID V-8 rated at 435 HP (Holley triple 2-barrel carburetors and mechanical camshaft).
  • L89 – A L71 engine with aluminum cylinder heads.
  • L88 – 427 CID V-8 rated 430 HP (strictly for off-road use), This engine featured a high-capacity Holley 4-barrel carb, aluminum heads, an extremely radical duration mechanical camshaft, a unique air induction system, and an ultra-high compression ratio of 12.5:1.

The 427 CID V-8s made up nearly half of all production. All 327 CID V-8 cars had low-profile hoods. All 427 CID V-8 cars had domed hoods for additional engine clearance with twin simulated vents and “427” emblems on either side.

1968 Corvette Facts – Powertrains

• Transmission Ratios
  
  • 300 HP Only – Three-Speed Manual Transmission – First: 2.54:1, Second: 1.50:1, Third 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.63:1.
  • 300 HP Four-Speed Manual Transmission – First: 2.52:1, Second: 1.88:1, Third 1.46:1, Fourth: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.59:1.
  • 350-390-400-435 HP Four-Speed Close Ratio Manual Transmission – First: 2.20:1, Second: 1.64:1, Third 1.28:1, Fourth: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.26:1.
  • 350-390-400-435 HP Four-Speed Manual Transmission – First: 2.52:1, Second: 1.88:1, Third 1.46:1, Fourth: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.59:1.
  • 430 HP L88 Four-Speed Manual Transmission – First: 2.20:1, Second: 1.64:1, Third 1.28:1, Fourth: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.26:1.
  • 300, 390, 400  HP Only – Three-Speed Turbo Hydra-Matic Transmission – 1st 2.48:1, 2nd: 1.48:1, 3rd: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.08:1.
• Rear Axle Ratios
  

Manual Transmissions –
– 300 HP 3-Speed & 4-speed Manual: 3.36:1; Optional: 3.08:1.
– 300 HP Automatic: 3.08:1.
– 350  HP Close Ratio Four-speed: 3.70:1, Optional 4.11:1.
– 350  HP Wide Ratio Four-speed: 3.36:1, Optional 3.55:1.
– 390  and 400 HP Close Ratio Four-speed: 3.36:1; Optional 3.08:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1.
– 390 and 400 HP Wide Ratio Four-speed: 3.08:1; Optional 3.36:1.
– 390 and 400 HP Automatic: 3.08:1; Optional 2.73:1.
– 425 HP  Close Ratio Four-speed: 3.55:; Optional 3.36:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1.
– 430 HP L88  Close Ratio Four-speed: 3.36:1; Optional 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1.

Powerglide Transmission
– 300 HP: 3.36:1.
– 350 HP: Not Available.
– 390 and 400 HP Powerglide: 3.36:1; Optional 3.08:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1.
– 435 HP and L88: Not Available.

Optional available Dealer Installed rear axle gear ratios: 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1.

1968 Corvette Facts – Powertrain Options

Engines:

• • 327 cubic inch 300 horsepower four-barrel carburetor engine standard.
  • L79 327 cubic inch 350 horsepower V-8 engine ($105).
  • L36 427 cubic inch 390 horsepower V-8 four-barrel carb engine ($200.15).
  • L68 427 cubic inch 400 horsepower V-8 Tri-carb engine ($305).
  • L71 427 cubic inch 435 horsepower V-8 Tri-carb engine ($437).
  • L88 427 cubic inch 430 horsepower V-8 four-barrel carb engine ($947.90).
  • L89 427 cubic inch 435 horsepower V-8 – Aluminum cylinder ($805.75).

Other:

• • 3-speed manual transmission standard and only available on 300 HP only.
  • 3-speed automatic transmission ($226).
  • 4-speed close ratio M-22 Heavy Duty manual floor shift transmission ($263).
  • 4-speed close ratio M-21 manual transmission with floor shift ($184).
  • 4-speed wide ratio M-20 manual transmission with floor shift ($184).
  • Heavy-duty brakes ($384.45).
  • Off-road exhaust system ($36.90).
  • Side-mount exhaust system ($131.65).
  • Special front and rear suspension ($36.90).
  • Transistor ignition system ($73.75).
  • Positive Traction Rear Axle ($46.35).

1968 Corvette Facts – Significant Options

• • Air conditioning ($412.90).
  • Alarm system ($26.35).
  • Custom Deluxe front shoulder .belts ($26.35).
  • Detachable hardtop ($231.75).
  • Driver and passenger head restraints ($42.15).
  • Four wheel covers ($57.95).
  • Heavy-duty power brakes ($384.45).
  • Leather seats ($79).
  • Power brakes ($42.15).
  • Power steering ($94.80).
  • Power windows ($57.95).
  • Radio, AM/FM stereo ($278.10).
  • Radio, AM/FM with fixed height antenna ($172.75).
  • Rear window defroster ($31.60).
  • Special red stripe F70-15 tires ($31.30).
  • Special white stripe F70-l 5 tires ($31.30).
  • Speed warning indicator ($10.55).
  • Steering Column, Adjustable ($42.15).
  • Tinted windows ($15.80).
  • Tinted windshield ($10.55).
  • Vinyl roof, Black only for Detachable Top ($52.70).