1968 Chevrolet Corvette 427/390HP Convertible (LHD)

Description

Drawing inspiration from the Mako Shark II show car, Chevrolet’s third generation Corvette (the Sting Ray badge went temporarily missing in the first year of production) was introduced for the 1968 model year and billed as “…all different all over” by GM’s publicity people. The C3 Corvette was a beauty queen with attitude, the pumped up ‘Coke bottle’ lines devoid of any superfluous detailing or chrome. Neat touches like the push button arrangement instead of door handles and hidden windscreen wipers achieved a sleek, aerodynamic form. The Corvette was sold in either of two body styles, namely a full convertible or the coupe, the latter actually featuring a novel targa-type roof arrangement with a pair of removable panels and removable rear window. The 1968 Corvette came with a 327-cid V8 developing 300 hp as standard and a choice of either the Turbo-Hydra-Matic or four-speed manual gearbox. Optional engines included the 350 hp L79 or the 427 big-block in several states of tune (the 390 hp L36, 400 hp L68, 435 hp L71 and race-oriented L88) along with heavy-duty manual transmissions to cope with the extra grunt. Underneath the C3’s swoopy new exterior, the Corvette’s chassis was essentially a revised version of the previous model, retaining the same independent suspension set-up and 98-inch wheelbase. Spring rates were stiffened and this, combined with wider wheels and tyres, resulted in improved lateral acceleration, with Road & Track magazine commenting “No question about it, the Corvette is one of the best-handling front-engine production cars in the world”. Included in the standard equipment list were vinyl upholstery, centre console and full instrumentation including tacho and an electric clock, disc brakes front and rear, a dual exhaust and tinted glass, along with Chevrolet’s new “Astro” ventilation system. Chevrolet built 9,936 convertible Corvettes in 1968 and these pre-emissions cars still managed to turn some very respectable numbers – a 427/400 L68 equipped car could manage the standing quarter mile in just 14.1 seconds – and these early chrome-bumper C3 cars are finally earning the recognition they have long deserved with collectors.