The 1968 C3 Corvette (Third Generation)
C3 Shark model Corvette history starts with the 1968 model year. This generation three Vette lasted from 1968 to 1982, a fifteen-year run. The 1968 to 1972 Corvettes have the chrome-bumpers and are highly sought after. There were more than a half million third-generation Corvettes built from 1968 to 1982.
In this post, we will look at some history, options, production numbers, and photos of the 1968 C3 Shark Corvette, the first of the Generation 3 Vettes.
Serial No. 194678S400001 – 194678S428566
Total Production = 28,566 (9,936 Coupe, 18,630 Convertible)
The total sales for the new “Shark” was a new all-time record and set the stage for the fifteen-year run of the third generation Corvette.
The 1968 Corvette offered ten different Exterior Color Choices. The interior was offered in 12 choices, both in vinyl as well as leather. Here are the Option Codes and Quantity made.
1968 C3 Corvette Exterior Colors
CODE – EXTERIOR – QUANTITY
#900 Tuxedo Black 708
#972 Polar White 1,868
#974 Rally Red 2,918
#976 LeMans Blue 4,722
#978 International Blue 2,473
#983 British Green 4,779
#984 Safari Yellow 3,133
#986 Silverstone Silver 3,435
#988 Cordovan Maroon 1,155
#992 Corvette Bronze 3,374
1968 C3 Corvette Shark Interior Color Choices
CODE – COLOR
Standard – Black Vinyl
#402 Black Leather
#407 Red Vinyl
#408 Red Leather
#411 Dark Blue Vinyl
#414 Medium Blue Vinyl
#415 Medium Blue Leather
#425 Dark Orange Vinyl
#426 Dark Orange Leather
#435 Tobacco Vinyl
#436 Tobacco Leather
#442 Gunmetal Vinyl
1968 C3 Corvette Shark Engines
The base Corvette 1968 Vette included a 327 ci, 300 hp engine. Here are the other engine options available with their quality and price:
RPO# L36 – 427ci, 390hp Engine – 7,717 sold – $200.15
RPO# L68 – 427ci, 400hp Engine – 1,932 sold – $305.50
RPO# L71 – 427ci, 435hp Engine – 2,898 sold – $437.10
RPO# L79 – 327ci, 350hp Engine – 9,440 sold – $105.35
RPO# L88 – 427ci, 430hp Engine – 80 sold – $947.90
RPO# L89 – Aluminum Cylinder Heads with L71 – 624 sold – $805.75
1968 C3 Corvette Shark Transmissions
For the buyer who wanted an automatic transmission, Chevy now offered the optional 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 instead of the 2-speed Powerglide. The base 1968 Corvette received the 3-speed manual transmission. Other options were:
RPO# M20 4-Speed Manual Transmission – 10,760 – $184.35
RPO# M21 4-Speed Manual Transmission, close ratio – 12,337 – $184.35
RPO# M22 4-Speed Manual Transmission, close ratio, heavy duty – 80 – $263.30
RPO# M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission – 5,063 – $226.45
1968 C3 Corvette Shark Facts:
The 1968 Corvette was sculpted to resemble the Mako Shark II show car of 1965.
The Mako Shark II concept car was built in 1965 under the direction of William (Bill) L. Mitchell, Vice President of GM Styling Staff. It influenced the design look for the 1968-1982 production Corvette. Chevrolet actually created two of 1965 Mako Sharks – only one of which was fully functional. It debuted in 1965 as a show car.
This third-generation Corvette started a 15-year run. The body was completely redesigned on what is basically a carry-over chassis. The coupe lost its fastback window and gained a removable back window and removable t-tops, giving it an almost convertible feel, although full convertibles were still available. The battery was moved to a compartment behind the seats. Nineteen-sixty-eight was the last appearance of the ignition switch on the dash until 1997. Also, unique that that year was the door opening mechanism. It has a spring-loaded finger plate with a separate release button. For 1968, a factory installed anti-theft alarm system was available as an option, only 388 cars were so equipped. This was the first year an AM/FM stereo radio was available as an option. The “Sting Ray” badge did not appear anywhere on the ’68 Vette, but it did return in ’69 as “Stingray.”
1968 C3 Corvette © General Motors
1968 C3 Corvette © General Motors
Here are some more articles and ads you might enjoy on the 1968 Corvette:
Owens Corning Fiberglass 1968 L-88 Corvette #12 in Chip’s Choice 2007 Corvettes at Carlisle
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2016 SEMA Coverage – 1971 C3 Custom Corvette Built by Heartland Customs