Bigger fender vents went on...
Bigger fender vents went on the third-generation Corvette for '68, while the "Sting Ray" name came off. Rallye wheels wear period-correct 70-series red-stripe Firestones.
Terry J. Smith, DeSoto, Missouri
Body
Production '68 Corvette coupe
Bodywork: Chevrolet's St. Louis Assembly Plant, St. Louis, Missouri
Paint: Original DuPont Safari Yellow acrylic lacquer; Paint preparation and applied by Chevrolet's St. Louis Assembly Plant, St. Louis, Missouri
Chassis
Frame: Production '68 Corvette
Suspension: (Front) Coil springs, unequal-length A-arms, tubular shocks and stabilizer bar (Rear) Independent with heavy-duty transverse leaf spring bundle and tubular shocks
Steering: OEM GM-Saginaw recirculating-ball, non-power-assisted
Brakes: OEM GM-Delco Moraine four-wheel disc brakes, non-power-assisted
Wheels: OEM 15x7-inch stamped steel Rallye wheels with correct-for-'68 center caps and trim rings
Tires: Firestone Super Sport Wide Ovals, F70-15 red stripe, on all 4 corners
Black epoxy-coated DeWitt's...
Black epoxy-coated DeWitt's aluminum radiator combined with a high-flow Weiand water pump to cure the 427's cooling woes once and for all. Note original AIR pump at front of engine.
Chevrolet overhead-valve Mark IV big-block V8 (RPO L68)
Originally Built: Chevrolet Motor Division's Tonawanda Engine Plant, Tonawanda, New York
Modifications: .030-inch overbore, forged steel crankshaft, steel connecting rods, L88-grind camshaft, Lenadi pistons, Weiand high-flow water pump, DeWitt aluminum radiator
Modifications: Bill Grimes, Peverly, Missouri (Prior owner)
Displacement: 427 cubic inches
Compression Ratio: 11.0:1
Cylinder Heads: Production RPO L71, cast iron
Ignition: OEM GM-Delco distributor, high-capacity coil and Holley electronic ignition
Induction: RPO L68's 3x2-barrel Holley carburetors: R3659A (front/rear), R4055A (center)
Camshaft: Production RPO L88 camshaft with solid lifters and roller rockers replaced OEM hydraulic-lifter L68 cam
Exhaust: OEM cast iron manifolds with 2 1/2-inch pipes
Horsepower: 400 @ 5400 rpm (Advertised)
Torque: 460 ft. /lbs. @ 3600 rpm (Advertised)
Back in '68, the RPO L68 400-horsepower...
Back in '68, the RPO L68 400-horsepower 427 was a $305.50 upgrade over the standard 300-horse 327. This one was rebuilt with an .030-inch overbore, L88-grind camshaft, forged steel crank-and other hardware that pushes its output past Chevrolet's advertised power figures.
Muncie M-22 heavy-duty close-ratio 4-speed manual (RPO M22)
Shifter: Original '68 Corvette four-speed shifter with spring-loaded reverse lockout
Rear End: RPO G81 Positraction with 4.11:1 rear gears
Interior
Production 1968 Corvette
Additions By Owner: Head rests, teak steering wheel
Seats: Production '68 buckets with black vinyl seat covers
Carpets: Original black nylon loop-pile
Instrumentation: OEM '68 Corvette (0-160 mph speedometer, 0-7000 rpm tachometer with 5600 rpm redline, plus fuel level, oil pressure, ammeter, coolant temperature gauges)
Sound System: RPO U69 GM-Delco AM/FM stereo radio
Heater: OEM GM-Harrison heater/defroster
A/C: Before driving briskly with windows open and T-tops off, stand in front of GM-Frigidaire freezer with door wide open
The teak steering wheel was...
The teak steering wheel was added after this '68 was built. Other than that (and the foam beverage coolers flanking the brake handle), the standard black interior is just the way Chevrolet installed it at St. Louis.
Open the door to this C3,...
Open the door to this C3, and you're back in 1968, thanks to the original interior trim that still resides there.
Heavy-duty Muncie M22 "Rock...
Heavy-duty Muncie M22 "Rock Crusher" four-speed resides under the console, stirred by its original shifter.