1968 corvette roadster features

[Brad B.]

I own 68 corvette vin#194678s418078, and wish to find out how it was originally equipped. I have original dealer info from NCRS, no records exist there. Any pointers on how to proceed would be helpful. AACA was no help either.

[Brad B.]

1968 corvette roadster features

I request helpful pointers as to determining the original configuration of my 68 roadster vin 194678s418078. NCRS got me original dealer, no records there, AACA was of no help either. GM hasn't returned my contacts. Any Thoughts?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1968 corvette roadster features

Brad,

The short answer is other than what the car tells you and what previous owners can divulge, there is no way to tell.
This is assuming you've already looked at the Trim Tag for colors, and verified the engine numbers to see if they are original.
However, as to other options you have to look for telltale clues, and many can be added or subtracted without detection.

What can you tell us about the car?

[Edward B.]

Re: 1968 corvette roadster features

According to the dealer that sold it on ebay back in April of 2013 (atlasmusclecars out of Blue Ridge, TX):

Very nice Rally Red 1968 Convertible Corvette, this is an original 427 Big Block car however the original engine is long gone. This car has a few year restoration and still looks great. The fiberglass body shows no signs of cracking or deterioration and the paint still looks great. The engine has a fresh stock 335 horse rebuild on it that was recently installed. Car come with two tops, a soft top and a hardtop. Car is currently equipped with the following: 427 Big Block V8 (LE suffix code 1969 335hp 427), 4 speed manual transmission (Borg Warner Super T-10 74 and newer. Color codes from the trim plate. Assembly date is J03. $35,900.00.

HERE'S the info from the C3 registry.

I'm assuming you were the buyer?

Ed

[Brad B.]

Re: 1968 corvette roadster features

Thank you gentlemen for your responses. Ed's info is correct from ebay, I was not the ebay buyer though. I purchased it at a Mecum auction from the ebay seller. How would I determine the original big block HP rating when new without the original engine, and without dealer documents available. Could GM find original production information? The car is as Ed describes, rally red with both tops, 427/335 hp 69 engine, factory A/C but no brackets or compressor. I believe it to be an aftermarket L-88 style hood, or maybe original? I would love to find that out, or document L-88 status. I have looked for a tank sticker with fiber optic camera and could not see one. Is it worth pulling the tank to look for one? Any other research tips would be appreciated.

[Edward B.]

Re: 1968 corvette roadster features

If it has factory A/C (and it's a factory big block), then it was either the 390 horse or the 400 horse engine. It can't be an L88 (or an L71) since A/C wasn't available on these.

To check if it was a factory big block, you'll have to do more detective work. This isn't a complete list, but big blocks came from the factory with the following:

1. 9/16" rear sway bar
2. Differential with caps instead of u-bolts at the half shafts
3. Rear calipers had wire armor shielding on the brake lines

There are more, but most all of those (and even the above) could have been added by a prior owner, so you'll need to check the date code on the differential as well.

Does the engine still have the original heads? Distributor? Intake? Carb? etc.... Post the numbers and the date codes and we can go from there.

Ed

[Don W.]

Re: 1968 corvette roadster features

Hi Brad,
There's no GM production info available for 68/69 unless it went to Canada for original sale and then there's microfile import documentation. Not sure how they got only 335HP out of a 427 unless that's at the rear wheels which would be a significant modification as a base 427 has 390 HP at the flywheel

[Edward B.]

Re: 1968 corvette roadster features

Don, it's not the original engine. He has a 427 from a full size car. The LE suffix is a 69 427/335 with a Turbo 400.

Ed

[Brad B.]

Re: 1968 corvette roadster features

Ed, It does have the factory airbox on the firewall, it does have the large rear sway bar with tags still in place. It has a borg warner super T10 4 speed from 1974 in place. appears to be a factory 4 speed configuration. one valve cover has a IQ sticker, which I believe is a 390hp code. I do not know about the intake and heads, and MSD distributor is in place now. I will check the engine pad for suffix designation. It does have functional short cowl induction hood L-88 style with original L-88 style air cleaner. There are no numbers visible anywhere on the aluminum intake. Power steering and power brakes all appear factory bracketed. Engine does have TO828LE on pad. I do not remember half shaft bolts. Rear calipers do have armored brake lines.

[Lawrence M.]

Re: 1968 corvette roadster features

You could look at the Tach. 390/400 had lower redline than 435HP. In 69 390/400 red zone was 5600-7000 and 435hp was 6500-7000.

[Edward B.]

Re: 1968 corvette roadster features

So far so good. What you've stated "points" to an L36 (427/390), so check the differential - caps or u-bolts (and the date code as well).

What do the tags on the rear sway bar say?

What's the yellow and red line on the tach?

Ed

[Don W.]

Re: 1968 corvette roadster features

Hi Brad,

The IQ stickers can be bought aftermarket, so don't consider that. The intake manifold numbers are on the underside and you also have to remove the heat shield to access those, so don't worry about that.

Don

[Edward B.]

Re: 1968 corvette roadster features

The L36 intake casting number is located at the upper front of the intake (passenger side) between the heater hose fitting and the thermostat housing. The date is under the intake so forget that. But if you can't find ANY numbers, then it's probably aftermarket.

Ed

[Brad B.]

Re: 1968 corvette roadster features

The dif has cast iron caps on both sides, couldn't see a date code. Sway tags say BR5410 over 50E8 both sides the same. Tach has yellow 5300-5600,and redline 5700-7000 range.

[Alan S.]

Re: 1968 corvette roadster features

Hi Brad,
68, BB, Convertible!!! Very Nice!
I see from your profile that you're from Texas.
There are LOTS of members there so I'd bet you could contact a local Chapter (if you haven't yet) and see if there's someone who can look over the car with you.
They may see some things that will help tell the car's story that you're missing.
Also, if you haven't joined a chapter yet you should really consider doing that!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan