Earliest C-3 hardtop observed?

[Mike E.]

I was looking at a 68 the other day in the 800 serial number range. It has a black vinyl hardtop with an IZ date code in the glass. That is a JUNE 1967 top. Has anyone run across an earlier one?

[Terry M.]

Re: Earliest C-3 hardtop observed?

Odds are good there are, or were, some. ALL the first couple of months of 1968 production were convertibles.

[John H.]

Re: Earliest C-3 hardtop observed?

We built 100% convertibles well into January (one of those things you can't forget if you were there....)

[Robert M.]

Re: Earliest C-3 hardtop observed?

Mr. Hinckley,
Your answer suggests that maybe there was a problem or two in building 100% convertibles. Could you tell us more?

[Terry B.]

Re: Earliest C-3 hardtop observed?

Probably there is an obvious reason for all convertibles into January of the production year for '68 but I cannot think of one. I'm sure that someone out there would enlighten me. Thanks

[John H.]

Re: Earliest C-3 hardtop observed?

The last-minute redesign of the coupe structure to add the center reinforcement bar and the T-tops meant there were no production parts until mid-January (the original design had no center bar and a one-piece Targa roof panel, and you couldn't install or remove it unless the car was parked on a surface plate).

100% convertibles meant the convertible top supplier had to produce twice as many as he was tooled and facilitized to produce for the first five months of production; he had to add a third shift, hire more people, and Chevrolet had to jump in and help him optimize his processes while running 24/7 to meet the convertible schedule.

[Reba W.]

Re: Earliest C-3 hardtop observed?

I remember ordering a coupe the third week of August 1967. It finally was delivered the last week of March, but I had given up a bought a used 1967 435. Probably a better deal anyway, wasn't it?