1968 Corvette

The 1968 Corvette would prove to be nearly as controversial as the times themselves. The so-called "Shark" generation was a very different sort of sports car than its predecessors -- what was a dual-purpose race-and-ride machine had evolved into more of a plush and powerful boulevard cruiser. Critics would blast the initial C3 offering for its excessive styling, increased bulk, and carryover platform -- it certainly was not the substantial leap forward Corvette fans had hoped for.

The redesigned 1968 Corvette was welcomed with mixed reviews.
The redesigned 1968 Corvette was received with mixed reviews.

The third-generation Corvette suffered from development problems and introduction was postponed from 1967 to 1968. It was probably just as well. Although the government's first safety and emissions standards took effect nationwide with the '68 model year, Chevy would doubtless have seen to it that the engineering of an all-new 1967 model reflected the new standards. As it was, the delay took some of the pressure off of harried engineers.

As was the case with the first Sting Ray, powertrains for the new 1968 model were largely retained from the previous generation. The one significant exception was substitution of GM's new three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission for the old two-speed Powerglide automatic. Elsewhere, the car's battery was relocated behind the seats to improve weight distribution and to provide added under-hood room. Side vent windows were eliminated in favor of a new fresh-air "Astro Ventilation" system. Shoulder belts, previously an added-cost option, were included at no charge on coupes. Other new features for 1968 accentuated the Corvette's GT leanings, and included an electric rear-window defroster, speed warning indicator, AM/FM stereo radio, and a futuristic fiber-optic light monitoring system.

Higher spring rates were calculated to reduce fore/aft pitching, especially under hard acceleration. This also served to lower the rear roll center and was nicely complemented by newly standard seven-inch-wide wheels, an inch broader than before, wearing low-profile F70 × 15 tires. With these modifications and the resulting wider track dimensions (now 58.7/59.4 inches front/rear), the 1968 Corvette hugged the pavement even better than the Sting Ray, though at the expense of a perceptibly harsher ride.

To many, the 1968 Corvette's styling was excessive and bloated (its weight had ballooned by some 150 pounds), and the car was criticized for abandoning its sports-car purity. The car was also given low marks in the press for its scarce luggage space, awkward ingress/egress, and poor instrument placement, and reviewers found the car's new interior ventilation system to be lacking. The Corvette's fit and finish and overall build quality were judged to be abysmal, and even the new T-top was greeted with lukewarm response.

Still, the motoring press thought highly of the latest Corvette's straight-line performance, though some felt the big 435-horsepower 427 was too brutish a beast, though the 300- and 350-bhp small-blocks impressed as much as ever. The Muncie four-speed manual transmission and the new Turbo Hydra-Matic also garnered praise. As for handling, the press seemed to like the skidpad and slalom numbers they got but not the way the car felt generating them. Several complaints were made about the harder ride, and nobody much liked the power steering and brakes.

For the 1968 Corvette, the optional automatic transmission switched from elderly two-speed Powerglide to the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic.
For the 1968 Corvette, the optional automatic transmission switched from
elderly two-speed Powerglide to the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic.

Despite its flaws, the 1968 Corvette remained an exhilarating ride. It had plenty of power even in small-block form, and its all-independent suspension, if not exactly state-of-the-art, was certainly more than adequate. Testing a 350-bhp 327 roadster with the four-speed and 3.70:1 final drive, Road & Track reported a top speed of 128 mph, a standing quarter-mile of 15.6 seconds at 92 mph, and 0-60-mph acceleration of 7.7 seconds. Fuel economy, however, was pegged at 11-15 mpg for a cruising range of only 220-300 miles from the 20-gallon tank. Big-block cars were even thirstier -- but faster, of course. Car and Driver, running a 400-bhp 427 coupe, hit 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and posted a 14.1-second quarter mile at a blazing 102 mph.

The car's paltry cruising range couldn't really be considered as much of a liability, however, since with only 6.7 cubic feet of cargo space available, the car wasn't exactly outfitted for long-distance driving. Further, a newly tighter cabin included accordingly tighter seats with fixed backrests raked much farther back than in the Sting Ray to accommodate the Shark's two-inch lower roofline. The resulting laidback stance conspired with a high cowl to give the impression of being in a bathtub. A long, low nose that disappeared somewhere near the horizon made parallel parking an adventure.

Yet for all the problems and poor reviews, more people bought Corvettes than ever before; model-year sales set a new record at 28,566 units, some 5,000 up on the final Sting Ray. Part of this was due to prices that remained competitive at $4,320 for the ragtop and $4,663 for the coupe.

Reflecting its popularity, the new Corvette was chosen Best All-Around Car in Car and Driver's annual reader's poll (the 1967 Sting Ray had been likewise honored), as well as Best Sports/GT Car Over 3000cc.

Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:

1968 Corvette
1969 Corvette
1970 Corvette
1971 Corvette
1972 Corvette
1973 Corvette
1974 Corvette
1975 Corvette
1976 Corvette
1977 Corvette
1978 Corvette
1979 Corvette
1980 Corvette
1981 Corvette
1982 Corvette

Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

  • Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.

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1968 Corvette Specifications

The 1968 Corvette marked the introduction of the "Shark," a longer, meaner boulevard cruiser. Though the handling was rough and Corvette still had some kinks to work out, the car was powerful and exhilarating to drive. Here are the specifications for the 1968 Corvette Shark:

1968 Corvette engines were a rerun of '67, including big-block 427s offering 390, 400, and 435 bhp.
1968 Corvette engines were a rerun of '67, including big-block
427s offering 390, 400, and 435 bhp.

Vehicle Specifications
Convertible
Coupe
Wheelbase, inches
98.0
98.0
Length, inches
182.1
182.1
Width, inches
69.2
69.2
Track, inches
front: 58.3 rear: 59.0
front: 58.3 rear: 59.0
Height, inches
47.8
47.8
Curb weight, pounds
3,425
3,260

Mechanical Specifications (2-door convertible/coupe)

Suspension
front: Independent; upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, antiroll bar
rear: Independent, lateral leaf springs, struts, U-joint halfshafts, trailing arms, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers

Wheels/Tires
7x15

Brakes
front: 11.75-inch disc
rear: 11.75-inch disc

Transmission
3-speed manual (std)
4-speed manual (opt)
3-speed Hydra-Matic (opt)

Standard axle ratio
3.70:1

Engine Specifications

Typeohv V-8
ohv V-8
ohv V-8
ohv V-8
ohv V-8
ohv V-8
Displacement, liters/cu inch
5.35/327
5.35/327
7.0/427
7.0/427
7.0/427
7.0/427
Bore × stroke, inches
4.00 x 3.25 4.00 x 3.25 4.25 x 3.76 4.25 x 3.76 4.25 x 3.76 4.25 x 3.76
Fuel Management
1 x 4-bbl.
1 x 4-bbl. 1 x 4-bbl. 3 x 2-bbl.3 x 2-bbl. 1 x 4-bbl.
Horsepower @ rpm
300 @ 5,000 350 @ 5,800 390 @ 5,400 400 @ 5,400 435 @ 5,800 430 @ 5,200
Torque @ rpm, pound-foot
360 @ 3,400 360 @ 3,600 460 @ 3,600 460 @ 3,600 460 @ 4,000 450 @ 4,400

Published Performance Numbers

Acceleration
300 hp, 4-sp man.
0-60 mph, sec
6.5
0-100 mph, sec
NA
1/4-mile, sec @ mph
13.41 @ 109.5

Vehicle Production and Base Prices

Car Type
Production
Price
2-door convertible
18,630
$4,320.00
2-door coupe
9,9364,663.00

Options and Production

Option
Production
Price
Leather Seats
2,429
$79.00
Soft Ray Tinted Glass, all
17,635
15.80
Soft Ray Tinted Glass, windshield
5,509
10.55
Power Windows 7,065
57.95
Headrests
3,197
42.15
Custom Shoulder Belts (std w/coupe)
350

26.35

Auxiliary Hardtop
8,735
231.75
Vinyl Covering
3,050
52.70
Rear Window Defroster
693
31.60
Air Conditioning
5,664
412.90
Special Front and Rear Suspension
1,758
36.90
Positraction Rear Axle, all ratios
27,008
46.35
Power Brakes
9,559
42.15
Special Heavy Duty Brakes
81
384.45
Transistor Ignition System
5,457
73.75
390 hp Engine
7,717
200.15
400 hp Engine
1,932
305.50
435 hp Engine
2,898
437.10
350 hp Engine
9,440
105.35
430 hp Engine
80
947.90
Aluminum Cylinder Heads for L71
624
805.75
4-speed Manual Transmission 10,760
184.35
4-speed Manual Transmission, close ratio
12,337
184.35
4-speed Manual Transmission, close ratio, heavy duty
80
263.30
Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission
5,063
226.45
Off Road Exhaust System
4,695
36.90
Telescopic Steering Column
6,477
42.15
Power Steering
12,364
94.80
Bright Metal Wheel Cover
8,971
57.95
Red Stripe Tires, F70 x 15 nylon
11,686
31.30
White Stripe Tires, F70 x 15 nylon
9,692
31.30
Alarm System
388
26.35
Speed Warning Indicator
3,453
10.55
AM/FM Radio24,609
172.75
AM/FM Radio, stereo
3,311
278.10

Color Choices and Production

Color Choice
Production Color Choice
Production
Tuxedo Black708
Polar White1,868
Rally Red2,918
LeMans Blue
4,722
International Blue
2,473
British Green
4,779
Safari Yellow
3,133
Silverstone Silver
3,435
Cordovan Maroon
1,155
Corvette Bronze
3,374

Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:

1968 Corvette
1969 Corvette
1970 Corvette
1971 Corvette
1972 Corvette
1973 Corvette
1974 Corvette
1975 Corvette
1976 Corvette
1977 Corvette
1978 Corvette
1979 Corvette
1980 Corvette
1981 Corvette
1982 Corvette

Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

  • Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.

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