This is off topic but I suspect a few of you know something about this car. My neighbor has one, he is the original owner and wants to sell. I have wanted one of these cars for 30 years. I got a test dive, he drove, not to fast. It is an old car. Heat comes right throuth the fire wall. It is a clasic. My question is for those who have had one of these are there any problems to watch for and do they hold together? Most importantly are they as fun to drive as the L? I already have a 911 that does not get too much attention now that I have the L. I hope I can find the time to drive these vehicles. Thanks for your input.

 

A '68 Vette is my dream car. They had a lot of problems from the factory that year, imagine how reliable it is after 33 years. You'd have to either be really good with a wrench or have friends who are. It's still worth it, no doubt about it. They were fast for their time, but any L will beat any stock C3 going straight, but a C3 will out handle any truck. You can make them faster with very little effort, but those years have become cruising cars. If you were to mod it out, you'd be shunned by other Vette owners. My '79 isn't old enough to be in that category yet, so it's my other money pit.
I haven't looked in a while, but 68's in good condition sell for well over $20k.

This is by far the best forum for C3's:
http://corvetteforum.com/cgi-bin/for...ettes&number=3


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Mark
'00 Lightning
'79+ Corvette

 

Doesn't happen to be an L-88 does it? I did a restoration on an L-88 into a vintage race car. Just as it would have been raced in 68-69. Plan on replacing all of the suspension rubber if it hasn't been already. They tend to run on the hot side. what do you plan to do with it? Restore? Modify?

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2000 Silver Lightning 13.16 (so far)
PSP 4-way
PSP Filter Kit
PSP Lower Pulley
Level 10 Shift kit
F-250 Trans pan
MagnaFlow 12468
Snug-Lid

I feel a 12.xx coming on.

Team PSP West

 

I know Chevy had a lot of problems with the Vette in '68. It was the first year for the C3. I think the main thing to watch for is snapping U-joints especially with a big block and a 4 speed. A friend had a '68 with BB 4 spd and snapped U-joints all the time. He drag raced all the time though. I would jump on the car if the price is right

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2001 Lightning Bright Red
1980 Z28 350 4spd T-Top
1995 Silverado Ext cab

 

• Mark_2kL, thanks for the link. My neighbor was offered 13,000 by a dealer, he is looking for around 20k. Car has 62,000 total miles and 2,000 miles on new 427.
• Silver-Bolt, I would mainly like to drive it. Beyond that I would like to retain stock appearance, needs new paint and seats. I would upgrade parts that fail and put on headers. Cam and head work would be put off until I got a better feel for the car. The car is not an L88 just 390 hp 427 single carb.
• 1meanZ, I have heard about this and from what I gather stronger u-joints and other driveline components are available.

[This message has been edited by REDHOTL (edited 05-19-2001).]

 

with out question the worst vette of all. after the best vette of 67, which was the end of the run from 63, they came out with this car. it was completely awful. not just bad , but awful. it was too tight inside, the workmanship was the worst. it was constantly in the shop with problems. if you want to buy a headache, buy one. i have had tons of vettes over the years, and i now have an 01 lightning. this truck is so much better than those vettes its not even close. the older vettes nickeled and dimed you to death and the worst was the 68.

 

lightningal, are you saying I should not buy this car, what do you realy think? Just kidding. I am looking for some real world experience. Thank you.

 

Jump on it! Now! My uncle has a '69 with the tri-power engine. That's a great deal my friend!

[This message has been edited by Frank S (edited 05-19-2001).]

 

red, im 51. i have had, a 58 vette, with small block. a 64 vette with auto and air coupe. a 68 vette, a 70 vette with 454, a 74 vette, an 85 vette, a 94 vette. the best of all of them was the 64 vette coupe. i used to belong to the corvette club, and i had a lot of experience with corvettes. they are a love,hate relationship. they look beautiful, especially the old ones, but certain models were simply built like crap. the 68 was the worst corvette. its not just me that says it. the guys who had them in the corvette club, couldnt wait to get rid of them back then. i used to love the 427 block, but in that car the heat would drive you nuts and the rest of the car was built like a tin can.

 

by the way the L88 was a fantastic engine. my friend had a 66 vette coupe in white. and ordered a keith black blue printed L88 from in back in 1970. he had it installed and ill never forget the feeling of being in that car. it was like being in a movie speeded up when he stepped on it. a fantastic sensation.

 

Hey guys thanks for the input. I went over to the C3 board posted by Mark-2kL and posted my question. Good guys, I got some great tips. I am still kicking this around. The c3 gang seems to think the 1968 model did have some problems but they are fixable and not worth worrying about. Then again most of the guys that responed had a 1968, and enjoyed working on their cars. I like to drive'm more than fix'm. Looks like I have a few things to consider.

 

THe '68's were known for poor build quality, yes. But since you plan on restoring it, what better time to go over it and build it better than the factory did. I have heard that the C3s are bad about the fiberglass cracking around the hood support so you might want to reinforce that area.

 

I've had a bunch of Vettes. Last one was a 38000 orig. mile, orig. paint and interior 71 LS6. 3 Years ago I really had to struggle to try and get 32000.00 for a Frame Off, Bloomington Gold 68 L89 Vette. If it is not a convert. 20K is top dollar for the car unless it has great colors or something special. Orig. engine still in it ? Paperwork ? The heat will Cook you. The repairs will break you. There are a ton of one year only parts on 68's. If something breaks it may be hard to replace with the correct part. If you want a good Vette to drive just get a later model one for less money. Or, just do what we all do and buy the 68 because it is there and you really want it.