1968 Chevrolet Corvette

[THarrison351]

1968 Chevrolet Corvette was the first year of the C3 or third generation of Corvettes. The chassis and drivetrain was largely carried over from the previous generation C2 from 1963-67. With an all new body and interior and taking the design elements from the Larry Shinoda designed Mako Shark II concept car such as the "sugar scoop" roof line and lower half of the car, it had a distinctive style that lasted until 1977. Available in coupe and convertible form, the 1968 Corvette also had many drivetrain options. From the 300 hp 327 cu in V8 to the mighty "430" hp yeah right, 427 L88 with aluminum heads and race spec cam. 3 and 4-speed manual transmissions  were used and a new optional Turbo Hydramatic 3-speed automatic transmission which replaced the 2 speed Turboglide previously available. The suspension was completely independent and 4 wheel disc brakes were standard. New this year was Astro-ventilation which eliminated vent windows and consisted of a cowl vent in front of the windshield and allowed air to flow through the cabin and out the vents behind the rear window. Speaking of the rear window, on the coupe it was removable. Also removable on the coupes for all years, were the roof panels. Like the previous generation, the headlights were concealed. Unlike the C2, these popped up instead of rotating. The 1968 model had a one year only exterior door release mechanism which consisted of a slightly recessed button in the side. Later models just used an oval push cover in the top of the door to release it. I always thought that was pretty cool and an easy way to spot '68s. Anyways, I won this Danbury Mint 1968 Corvette convertible in Fathom green and the only thing it needed and still does is the convertible top. I'm still looking out for one. The diecast has many details and operating features. The headlights pop up, the rear cover for the convertible top lifts to reveal a stowed top, the gas cap cover opens, the hatches behind the folding seats open to show the battery and jack, the engine and compartment is completely detailed down to the air filter in the cowl induction hood and I forgot to take a picture of the drop down carrier for the removable spare tire. Anyways here are the photos.

I decided to take a picture of the spare and add it and now that I've looked at it. It's not a rally wheel. It's a chrome wheel! Must be from some other car that was released. Cheers!

Edited February 7, 2020 by THarrison351

[Gramps46]

The spare tire is interesting.  I recently acquired the Danbury 1969 Corvette from the Todd Hilton collection, thank you Randy, and checked its spare and it is a plain painted rally wheel.

[randyc]

I had the green one as well.   I would recommend a good polishing on Tim's.  I polished Todd's and it really livened up the green paint.   It's amazing how dull these cars get over the years.  But I could be wrong because Tim's photos always show up a shade lighter than what I see in the same cars when I have them.  

DM beats the FM Vettes in almost every way on every car I've seen.