The first model that set off a fifteen year run for the C3 \”Shark\” generation of the Corvette that stands today is the 1968 Corvette. The C3 generation that ran until 1982, would prove to be the most stubborn of all the Corvette generations. The selling record numbers in the late 1960\’s, huge numbers in the 1970\’s despite the gas crunch and holding until early in the 1980\’s. This prolonged existence started with the 1968 Corvette which brought a new design that would inspire Corvettes that are driven today the C6 generation of 2005 to present.
Larry Shinoda under the watchful direction of Bill Mitchell, designed the 1968 Corvette in 1964. . By 1965 the Mako Shark II Concept Car was brought to the public eye by way of car shows and the 1968 Corvette would be an almost identical product by way of looks.
After all the auto shows were over the Shinoda/Mitchell design was then sent to Chevrolet styling under David Hollis. The mid-engine design of the Mako Shark II was dropped and design began to take shape using the existing Sting Ray chassis. As the 1968 Corvette began to form there were obvious overtones from the Mako Shark II design and the 1968 Corvette was basically the same car from the beltline down, just with softer contours.
Some of the new innovations to the 1968 Corvette included:
*Total redesign of the body. *Removable T-Top roof panels and back window on the coupe model. *Redesigned interior. *Optional three-speed Hydra-matic transmission to replace the previous two-speed Powerglide.
The engine stayed the same and was a carryover from the previous year, even though ,the 1968 Corvette had new features. There was no lack of power actually it was quite the contrary. Road & Track conducted several speed tests with the 1968 Corvette and found that the small-block 327 V-8 put out 350-bhp and had a reported top speed of 128 miles per hour. Even better was the big block put out a whopping 400 bhp and could do 0-60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds.
For first time the Sting Ray name was not attached to the Chevrolet muscle machine which was new to the 1968 Corvette. It was advertised using the Sting Ray name. The Sting Ray name would one year later find its way back to the Corvette.
The unveiling of the new 1968 Corvette was suppose to be a secret according to General Motors, however, prior to the official unveiling there was one a few weeks earlier. Before the 1968 Corvette was unveiled Mattel released an unauthorized new Hot Wheels line that was the custom Corvette. This surprised General Motors.
The critics gave the 1968 Corvette poor reviews, even though, the Corvette fans loved it. This did not bother consumers and at the end of the year Chevrolet\’s new Corvette had the last laugh with a record sale of 28, 566 cars sold which was an increase from the 5,000 from the last year of the Sting Ray.
For more info or questions about The The 1968 Corvette please visit the Smokinvette Group at www.smokinvette.com