1968 Body Question: Nose Support Rod

[Russ T.]

I finished painting an early '68 car with a build date of Oct. 5, 1967.
While assembling the front grill, I noticed that my car is lacking a
support rod that extends from the support bracket to the front nose.
This rod apparently was added later in production and this car looks like
it never had one, although there is room to install it. The part # is
3938060, sect. UPC 11-13, pg. A4 in the '68 Assembly Manual.

My question is: How vital is this rod in supporting the front nose?
I thought that it may supply rigidity and keep the front from sagging,
paint cracking, etc. I have no problem with adding it to the car
as this car is not going to be judged. Obviously somebody thought
that it was necessary 40 years ago. Can anybody offer insights or
suggestions?

Thanks,
Russ

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 Body Question: Nose Support Rod

My FEB built 68 has the rod.

Correction, correction! After reading Dale Carsons post about his March built 68 I decided to actually go look at my original owner 68 and it does not have the rod. I knew I had seen a rod support though, but double checking my 1970 original owner I see where I had thought my 68 had the rod since my 70 does have it.

[Ernest C.]

Re: 1968 Body Question: Nose Support Rod

I have a September '67 car the did not have the rod, but I added it because I felt I needed the support.

[Wayne W.]

Re: 1968 Body Question: Nose Support Rod

I would add the rod, plus the later support brackets at the ends of the head light support.

[Dale C.]

Re: 1968 Body Question: Nose Support Rod

I too have a March car without the support and it's been pretty much correct as to most other 68 anomalies, it's a C60 BB car. The rod is there in the AIM and there's no ref. to a difference in the C60 section. Looking through the Bizzoco book I didn't see it mentioned and looks like some pictures had it and some didn't. JM didn't mention it either. Corvette Central has the rod for about $18. I may or may not have the car juddged so ??? I'm more leery about drilling holes in that slick rad support if the rod is not called for.
Dale