Sweet ride. Do you have the original window sticker with options and price? My complaint is that with todays automation and computing you'd think that more options and especially colors not in a package would be available.
68 Corvette Roadster, aka "Ghetto Ride"
- Thread starter JeffKeryk
- Start date
I have no documentation. The only options I know of are the L36 base 427 and AMFM Stereo radio, which was pretty rare in 1968.
SammyChevelleTypeS3
$50 site donor 2023
How long have you owned it? Did you get some good drive time before you took it off the roads? I HOPE. Even with limited options I am sure it would be a fun cruiser one day.
I got that one in the early 1990's. I had a '70 Coupe with a CRR 454 (LS6) that was loaded. Didn't like it. I wanted a roadster with minimal options like roll up windows, no AC, etc.
It needed everything. I have big bucks into that car, far more than it is worth.
427/390 L36, wide ratio Muncie, 3:36 Posi with Auborn guts because I blew the stock diff.
My BIL has it now and continues to restore the interior. I had most of the parts, but was beat up with all the work. These cars are a labor of love.
After Lars Grimsrud built me a Q-Jet for the engine, 2nd gear would get the Comp TA's sideways. A 427 with mild cam is a torque MONSTER and a great driver. Power on demand. The Hedman headers and turbos out the back were just right for that combo.
The lower pic has the 15x7 stock Ralley wheels; I like the 16x8 aftermarket chrome Ralleys with 50 series Comp TAs. Sits lower...
FYI painting a Vette like this, with all the 'glas work, would easily be over $20K; maybe $50K.
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That era Vette has a place in my heart because in 1969 I turned 16 and my best friends dad who owned an auto whole sale company [ my other parents and quite an influence on my life is the best possible way ] brought Vettes home for us to drive during the holidays and summers until we went to the big boy school after High school. It was quite the blessing having a Vette to drive around in high school. A 427 convertible is the cats meow.
SammyChevelleTypeS3
$50 site donor 2023
You said it. I realize the LS36 were the lower horse 427 versions. But still tons of fun, tweaked or strictly factory. Never experienced them in Vetts. I grew up around guys who lived to yank any Chevy engines they could latch on to over 400cui to put in things that did not come from the factory that way. Unless one is an all out racer .... that LS36 has plenty enough horses to get some young men (well-old ones too) into trouble , with LEOs or the possible repair shops! I don't recall knowing anyone with an engine over 400cui who did not want to ride FAST once in a while.
The 67 and 68 engine and trans options we the same. The L36 was the base 427, rated at 390HP @ 5400 RPM and 460 lb/ft @ 3600 RPM. It has a mild cam, 10.25:1 CR, Q-Jet.You said it. I realize the LS36 were the lower horse 427 versions. But still tons of fun, tweaked or strictly factory. Never experienced them in Vetts. I grew up around guys who lived to yank any Chevy engines they could latch on to over 400cui to put in things that did not come from the factory that way. Unless one is an all out racer .... that LS36 has plenty enough horses to get some young men (well-old ones too) into trouble , with LEOs or the possible repair shops! I don't recall knowing anyone with an engine over 400cui who did not want to ride FAST once in a while.
The next up was the Tri-Power L68, which was the same engine but with 3 Holley 2BBL carbs.
Hey Jeff,
Thank you for the Corvette update. I am glad your BIL is taking good care of it. As you know, a lot of 1968's had bugs right out the factory. It is for this reason that many of them got modified or butchered especially at that time when customizing was the "thing" to do.
Plus production was caught short due to the strike at the plant and that is why there are so many more 1969 models.
I feel so grateful that I have had the opportunity to tour both Corvette plants. Twice in St. Louis, and once at Bowling Green when my Dr. friend took delivery of his 2023 Anniversay model.
Thank you for the Corvette update. I am glad your BIL is taking good care of it. As you know, a lot of 1968's had bugs right out the factory. It is for this reason that many of them got modified or butchered especially at that time when customizing was the "thing" to do.
Plus production was caught short due to the strike at the plant and that is why there are so many more 1969 models.
I feel so grateful that I have had the opportunity to tour both Corvette plants. Twice in St. Louis, and once at Bowling Green when my Dr. friend took delivery of his 2023 Anniversay model.
The early 68's were a mis-mash of parts; some came with left over 67 parts like steering wheels. The later cars were glued together better. Most 68s, like all early Sharks, that are still left have been fixed, rebuilt, etc and are better than factory condition. My car is a late build; they were thought to be closer to 69 which was a banner year.
Back in the day many of the BB cars got sideways and hit stuff. Those F70/15 Wide Oval bias ply tires were no match for the rest of the car. As soon as they broke loose it was all over.
In 67 they used a 7.75x15 bias ply tire on a 6" Ralley wheel. It was common to swap the 68 15x7 Ralley. 69 forward used the 8" Ralley. Beautiful wheels, IMO.
SammyChevelleTypeS3
$50 site donor 2023
Yours , I bet will sure be fun to own and cruise once BIL is done making it "right" for you.
I always had great luck (really zero issues) with all of my Q-Jets.
Hedman headers..... I would put up against almost any brand. I either used Hedman or Hookers. I used to love to install my exhaust systems to exit the headers then all the way out the back end after passing thru sets of classic Monza mufflers.
Paint & body work! I know, it is insane what the cost these days can amount to.
The ticket out the door on the last Chevelle I had (the only one that was a true show car) came in at over $45,000 in 1990 money. So today....? ouch. Glad I did not write that check. I lucked into owning (near 15 years) that one for a whole lot less than it cost 100% nut & bolt restored. Then it was truly the only one I ever sold and got back ALMOST (-$500) all of my money back from. Hated to part with it but I could no longer work / maintain or even detail it. Time for someone else to enjoy it.
SammyChevelleTypeS3
$50 site donor 2023
Funny. Do our computers spy on us? After all the 1968 Vette talking today, I open up "Bing" and this article popped up you should enjoy Jeff. A very special 1968 L88 rag top.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/ent...1&cvid=cfe0d7b931ea41ffda25ca4084a10552&ei=10
I had a 69 350/350 hp Corvette roadster with a 4 speed manual transmission. They are great cars but demand a lot of mechanical skills to keep them going. Mine had less than 40,000 miles back in 1975. They are a great car to drive but even if you had factory A/C they were just barely "good enough." The heat radiates from the engine, transmission and exhaust and they were very hard to keep cool. Back in the day if you had one you were #1. IMO black was the best color on a 69 Corvette. Thanks for sharing.
Chevrolet rated the L88 racer's engine at 430 HP, which was true at under 5,000 RPM. With big tube headers and Sunoco fuel it could scream to nearly 7,000 RPM.
Jeff, you are so correct. 68's got the leftover ignition switch on the dash, as well as the back up lights under the bumper all due to left over 67 wiring harness bundles front and rear. Seat tracks were also modified versions from 67's. Since they were barely building 10 cars per hour, I guess they could take their time making "on the line" modifications. I know that I have mentioned it before, but if you get a chance, I highly recommend this book. Written in the prose and POV from an assembly line worker on the STL line.
