The 1968 Chevrolet Corvette
"Corvette '68... all different all over". That's the quote from the sales brochure
for the redesigned 1968 Corvette. The body was completely redesigned with the coupe
losing it's fastback window but gaining a removable back window and removable t-tops
for that almost convertible feel. The chassis itself did not change much from the
1967 model. The new hidden wipers and hidden headlights are vacuum operated instead
of electrical. Door openers now use a push button to open and a push in handle to
pull the door, this was only used on the 1968 model. The new auxilliary top for
the convertible has a glass rear window. The new standard automatic was the 3-speed
Turbo Hydra-Matic instead of the 2-speed PowerGlide used previously. A new fiber-optic
monitoring system was added to the dash and "Astro-Ventilation" was added to improve
the airflow in the cabin. The '68 Vette did not have the "Sting Ray" badging on
it anywhere, it would return in '69 as "Stingray". 1968 was also the year that Zora
Arkus-Duntov was named Chief Engineer of the Corvette.
Production Options and Build Statistics
Total 1968 Corvettes Built - 28,566
Total 1968 Coupes - 9,936
Total 1968 Convertibles - 18,630
Total 1968 Convertibles - 18,630
| Serial Numbers | |
|---|---|
| Coupe | 194378S400001 - 194378S428566 |
| Convertible | 194678S400001 - 194678S428566 |
The "Vehicle Identification Number" (also VIN or serial number) is stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
Serial Number Decoder
| 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 Decoder
1968 Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block after the engine number
| Position | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 7 | 0001001 | Sequential Production Number |
| 8 | F or T | Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY |
| 9 to 10 | Carburetion & Transmission |
|
The body number plate is located on the engine side of the cowl. The Fisher Body Style Number identifies the model of Corvette. 68-19467 - Corvette Sting Ray convertible 68-19437 - Corvette Sting Ray coupe The body number is the serial number of the body. The trim number represents the color of the interior, the paint color is the exterior "Magic Mirror" paint color.
Production Options
| 19437 | Base Coupe | $4,663.00 | 9,936 | 34.8% |
| 19467 | Base Convertible | $4,320.00 | 18,630 | 65.2% |
| N/A | Genuine Leather Seats | $79.00 | 2,429 | 8.5% |
| A01 | Soft Ray Tinted Glass, All Windows | $15.80 | 17,635 | 61.7% |
| A02 | Soft Ray Tinted Glass, Windshield | $10.55 | 5,509 | 19.3% |
| A31 | Power Windows | $57.95 | 7,065 | 24.7% |
| A82 | Headrests | $42.15 | 3,197 | 11.2% |
| A85 | Custom Shoulder Belts | $26.35 | 350 | 1.2% |
| C07 | Auxiliary Hardtop (Convert.) | $231.75 | 8,735 | 30.6% |
| C08 | Vinyl Covering for Aux. Hardtop | $52.70 | 3,050 | 10.7% |
| C50 | Rear Window Defroster | $31.60 | 693 | 2.4% |
| C60 | Air Conditioning | $412.90 | 5,664 | 19.8% |
| F41 | Special Front/Rear Suspension | $36.90 | 1,758 | 6.2% |
| G81 | Positraction Rear Axle (all ratios) | $46.35 | 27,008 | 94.5% |
| J50 | Power Brakes | $42.15 | 9,559 | 33.5% |
| J56 | Special Heavy Duty Brakes | $384.45 | 81 | 0.3% |
| K66 | Transistor Ignition System | $73.75 | 5,457 | 19.1% |
| L36 | 427ci, 390hp Engine | $200.15 | 7,717 | 27.0% |
| L68 | 427ci, 400hp Engine | $305.50 | 1,932 | 6.8% |
| L71 | 427ci, 435hp Engine | $437.10 | 2,898 | 10.1% |
| L79 | 327ci, 350hp Engine | $105.35 | 9,440 | 33.0% |
| L88 | 427ci, 430hp Engine | $947.90 | 80 | 0.3% |
| L89 | L71 Engine with Aluminum Cylinder Heads | $805.75 | 624 | 2.2% |
| M20 | 4-speed Manual Transmission | $184.35 | 10,760 | 37.7% |
| M21 | 4 Speed Manual, Close Ratio Transmission | $184.35 | 12,337 | 43.2% |
| M22 | 4 Speed Manual, Close Ratio, Heavy Duty Transmission (Rock Crusher) | $263.30 | 80 | 0.3% |
| M40 | Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission | $226.45 | 5,063 | 17.7% |
| N11 | Offroad Exhaust System | $36.90 | 4,695 | 16.4% |
| N36 | Telescopic Steering Column | $42.15 | 6,447 | 22.6% |
| N40 | Power Steering | $94.80 | 12,364 | 43.3% |
| P01 | Bright Metal Wheel Cover | $57.95 | 8,971 | 31.4% |
| PT6 | Red Line Tires F70 x 15 | $31.30 | 11,686 | 40.9% |
| PT7 | White Line Tires F70 x 15 | $31.30 | 9,692 | 33.9% |
| UA6 | Alarm System | $26.35 | 388 | 1.4% |
| U15 | Speed Warning Indicator | $10.55 | 3,453 | 12.1% |
| U69 | AM/FM Radio | $172.75 | 24,609 | 86.1% |
| U79 | AM/FM Radio Stereo | $278.10 | 3,311 | 11.6% |
Prices and build counts are reported figures compiled by VetteFacts; percentages are derived from the year's total production (28,566 built). Spot an error? Tell us.
Color Options for 1968
Interior colors are suggested by Chevrolet, any combination could be ordered.
| 900 | Tuxedo Black | $0.00 | B-BG-W | B-DB-DO-GU-MB-R-TO | 708 | 2.5% |
| 972 | Polar White | $0.00 | B-BG-W | B-DB-DO-GU-MB-R-TO | 1,868 | 6.5% |
| 974 | Rally Red | $0.00 | B-BG-W | B-R | 2,918 | 10.2% |
| 976 | Lemans Blue | $0.00 | B-BG-W | B-DB-MB | 4,722 | 16.5% |
| 978 | International Blue | $0.00 | B-BG-W | B-DB-MB | 2,473 | 8.7% |
| 983 | British Green | $0.00 | B-BG-W | B | 4,779 | 16.7% |
| 984 | Safari Yellow | $0.00 | B-BG-W | B | 3,133 | 11.0% |
| 986 | Silverstone Silver | $0.00 | B-BG-W | B-DB-GU | 3,435 | 12.0% |
| 988 | Cordovan Maroon | $0.00 | B-BG-W | B | 1,155 | 4.0% |
| 992 | Corvette Bronze | $0.00 | B-BG-W | B-DO-TO | 3,374 | 11.8% |
Interior Colors
| Base | Black Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 402 | Black Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 407 | Red Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 408 | Red Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 411 | Blue Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 412 | Blue Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 414 | Medium Blue Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 415 | Medium Blue Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 425 | Orange Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 426 | Orange Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 435 | Tobacco Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 436 | Tobacco Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 442 | Gunmetal Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
1968 Corvette Specifications
Mechanical Dimensions
| Feature | Coupe | Convertible |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 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. | 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 | 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 | 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 | Saginaw recirculating ball, 17.6:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 39.9 turning circle |
| Rear axle type | Sprung differential, Hypoid gear | Sprung differential, Hypoid gear |
| Brakes | Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs 11.8-inch diameter, single calipers | Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs 11.8-inch diameter, single calipers |
| Total swept area | 259 sq. in. per ton, 461.2 sq. in. total | 259 sq. in. per ton, 461.2 sq. in. total |
| Wheels | 6" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc | 6" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc |
| Standard rear axle ratio | 3.36:1 | 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 | 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1 |
Engine Specifications
| Feature | Base RPO L75 | RPO L79 | RPO L36 | RPO L71 | RPO L88 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | V-8, Overhead valve | V-8, Overhead valve | V-8, Overhead valve | V-8, Overhead valve | V-8, Overhead valve |
| Block | Cast iron block | Cast iron block | Cast iron block | Cast iron block | Cast iron block |
| Displacement | 327 cid | 327 cid | 427 cid | 427 cid | 427 cid |
| Bore & Stroke | 4.00 x 3.25" | 4.00 x 3.25" | 4.251 x 3.76" | 4.251 x 3.76" | 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 | Five | Five | Five | Five |
| Valve lifters | Hydraulic | Hydraulic | Hydraulic | Mechanical valve lifters | Mechanical valve lifters |
| Camshaft | High-performance 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 | Holley four-barrel | Three Holley two-barrels | Single Holley 850CFM four-barrel |
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