1968 Storage Compartment Questions

[Gregory M.]

I am assessing the items I am missing on my car and need a storage tray and center glove box with light.

The repop glove box with light that CC sells looks pretty good...staples and flossed...but the repop storage tray looks to be plastic. I intend to flight judge...should I be looking for used originals? MOst look pretty rough and would likely result in a deduction for condition.

Also, should my 6/14 assembled car have insulation in the outer 2 compartments and the foam seal in battery comnpartment?

[Jeff W.]

Re: 1968 Storage Compartment Questions

I am without my Guide but do not believe any '68 had insulation in the compartments (I previously researched on my December car). Yes, the plastic would get a slight ding, but so would a poor original (six of one, half dozen . . . . ). A reasonably decent original could be reinforced on the back side and reflocked in the interior. (Spray flocking is available but I have not yet tried it.) Good luck. 68s are indeed 'special'.

[Gregory M.]

Re: 1968 Storage Compartment Questions

I am without my Guide but do not believe any '68 had insulation in the compartments (I previously researched on my December car). Yes, the plastic would get a slight ding, but so would a poor original (six of one, half dozen . . . . ). A reasonably decent original could be reinforced on the back side and reflocked in the interior. (Spray flocking is available but I have not yet tried it.) Good luck. 68s are indeed 'special'.

My judging guide say starting around VIN 9000 insulation was in both outboard compartments. Anyone have photos of an original?

[Jeff W.]

Re: 1968 Storage Compartment Questions - Insulation Comes and Goes

Greg, you are right. I was wrong. My car is an earlier car so I must have filed that as 'not required' in my little brain. (Actually Vette Vues and the NCRS Guide are somewhat contradictory, although the thoughts can be reconciled. Vette Vues says earlier cars (to at least 13,818 had it), later cars (after 13,818) did not. The Guide says the practice began in 9,315. I guess one can put this together and say before 9,315, no insulation. 9,315 through 13,818, insulated. 13,819+ no insulation.

Do you have a copy of Vette Vues? The insulation to which you refer is pictured on page 59. Page 60 contains some photos of the lid paint treatment.

This old post has a couple photos. https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...ent-Insulation

The Vette Vues photos show much thicker / 'fluffier' insulation than appears in these photos; Vues shows thicker insulation much like one would use to insulate between studs in a house. The insulation in the Vues photos appears to have deteriorated. That said, the battery side appears to have the aluminum facing 'up' as applied on the bottom, with the insulation side 'exposed' on the vertical sides. In the jack compartment, all of the insulation is installed with the insulation exposed (bottom and sides) and the aluminum facing the interior (unexposed or hidden) surface. Odd that they would install it that way as aluminum needs a bit of air space to avoid conduction and provide heat resistance.

[Gregory M.]

Re: 1968 Storage Compartment Questions - Insulation Comes and Goes

Vette Vues says earlier cars (to at least 13,818 had it), later cars (after 13,818) did not. The Guide says the practice began in 9,315. I guess one can put this together and say before 9,315, no insulation. 9,315 through 13,818, insulated. 13,819+ no insulation.

Still confused...I see no such limit in the NCRS guide for cars after 13,818...my car is 22,547...yes or no?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1968 Storage Compartment Questions - Insulation Comes and Goes

Still confused...I see no such limit in the NCRS guide for cars after 13,818...my car is 22,547...yes or no?

No.

The new 68-69 JG, which will come out later this year (I think) will follow the serial numbers that Jeff mentions above.
So, you should not have insulation.

[Jeff W.]

1968 Storage Compartment Questions - New Guide Coming

Hahah. It looks like the answer is 'maybe'. If you are going to have the car judged BEFORE "later this year" (when the new Guide will come out), install the insulation. If you will have it judged next year or after, hold off.

On a related note, will you be installing the spring loaded hinges on the compartments? If so, are you strengthening the surround where they attach?

On a completely unrelated note, what are a couple of the unique 1968 'features' that you are finding troublesome in your restoration? (I spent a lot of time in the systems development business; it was common to refer to troublesome things as 'features' while concurrently winking at the listener.)

For me it was getting the Air Conditioning ductwork reinstalled after changing out the defroster / heater actuator. I was informed that the wiper switch controller (that sits just ahead of the duct) was 'delivered' by the factory slightly crooked as it was impossible (even when new) to have everything in place AND install that squarely.

[Gregory M.]

Re: 1968 Storage Compartment Questions - New Guide Coming

Great...planned on trying to correct a bunch of stuff in time for Oct. 22 event in PA.

My restoration work will consist of mostly detaling and correcting many smaller items that are incorrect on the car...driver quality paint...anyone with 68 parts for sale pm me..