The Corvette has one of the longest automobile production runs in U.S. history. With the exception of a gap year in 1983, Corvettes have been manufactured every year since 1953. Some of the earlier models have earned a reputation for being prized classic cars
, including the 1968 Corvette. What makes the 1968 Corvette special?
There’s few better to answer this question than the National Corvette Museum
in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This museum is a must-see for any sports car enthusiast, and a great resource for historical information. So why does the 1968 Corvette stand out from other model years? For starters, that year brought a number of "firsts" to the Corvette brand. It might seem strange to call a 50-year-old car technologically advanced, but the 1968 Corvette
was ahead of the game. This was the first year that the sports car had amenities that drivers take for granted today. A new Corvette owner could impress their passenger with a seat belt reminder light, a flasher that indicated a door was ajar, and a reminder alarm if they forgot the key in the ignition. Another new Corvette feature that year was the switch to a plastic fuel tank. Not only was the new plastic tank lighter, but it also eliminated any possibility of rust or corrosion. In addition, the 1968 model was the first that used disc brakes on all four wheels.
‘68 Corvette specs
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The 1968 Corvette was offered in five trims: the base RPO L75, RPO L79, RPO L36, RPO L71, and RPO L88. All coupes and convertibles came with an overhead valve V8 engine and a manual transmission. And in an age of infotainment systems, it's hard to imagine that an AM/FM radio was still an optional feature in the 1968 Corvette .
The sports car was available in nearly a dozen colors, including ones with catchy monikers like Corvette Bronze, British Green, and Rally Red. There were also a handful of interior color options that went beyond basic black or brown, including tobacco, orange, and medium blue. Convertibles were available in both a soft top and a removable hard top.
Many classic car lovers have a soft spot for the 1968 Corvette, as the body design got an upgrade that year. While the 1967 model looks a bit torpedo-like, 1968 models have a softer aesthetic. The facelift included larger fenders that curve upwards and outwards.
Was the 1968 Corvette an affordable car?
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According to the National Automobile Dealers Association
(NADA), the 1968 Corvette's original MSRP was $4,320. For a little price perspective, many sources say the average home cost between $15,000 and $26,000 in the late 1960s. If you want to buy a 1968 Corvette today, expect to pay an average of $46,700, with prices as high as the mid $60,000s. If you're up for some restoration work, you could nab one in the low $20,000s.
While Chevrolet broadened customer appeal by offering coupes, convertibles remained in hot demand. The automaker produced 28,566 Corvettes in 1968, almost two-thirds of which were convertibles.
Affordable insurance for your classic car
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