Why does my '68 not look like other '68s?

[TWINRAY]

I used a finger on EACH HAND to type! Goes much faster that way.

Watch it, or I'll somehow turn this converstation into poly a-arm bushings!

 

[Mac]

You've lost me on the info on the top, is it a convertible? or a t-tops vette?

Looks like a convertible with a lift-off hard top to me.

-Mac

 

[TWINRAY]

Looks like a convertible with a lift-off hard top to me.

-Mac

Definately a convert. with a lift off hard top converted so that t-top's were added. Someone put a lot of work on this. I'd check the frame out to make sure it wasn't in a major accident. If not, great. Looks like a quality job and I'd not worry that it will never be a Bloomington Gold candidate. Ride and enjoy it like they were meant to be.

 

[joe1975]

I saw one with the T-top conv top on E-Bay a while back could have been the same one. Isn't there a spot with the vin # by one of the rear wheels and you have to do use a mirror to see it with the body on

 

[angry planet]

Looks like a convertible with a lift-off hard top to me.

-Mac

I'm sure this is a stoooopid question, but what would this mean? I have looked at the frame area that the t-tops fit into, and I can't see how it could be anything else. If what you said is correct, how do I remove the existing t-top frame and make it a convertible again?

 

[TWINRAY]

I'm sure this is a stoooopid question, but what would this mean? I have looked at the frame area that the t-tops fit into, and I can't see how it could be anything else. If what you said is correct, how do I remove the existing t-top frame and make it a convertible again?

Sitting in the driver seat, looking upward at the top of the windshield, are there 3 levers (1 at both edges and one in the middle) clamping the top to the top windshield frame. In the rear compartment, there would be 2 threaded bolts coming down into it from the top, holding the top with washers and nuts. A convert. has 2 lever mechanisms in the rear deck area to 1: pop the top and 2:to pop the rear deck lid.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

I'm sure this is a stoooopid question, but what would this mean? I have looked at the frame area that the t-tops fit into, and I can't see how it could be anything else. If what you said is correct, how do I remove the existing t-top frame and make it a convertible again?

Your car was originally built either as a convertible with soft top, OR a hardtop 'coupe' with two removeable T-tops. You chose one or the other but not both.

As an option, the purchasers of convertibles could choose to buy a one piece removeable hardtop, usually installed for colder weather. The soft top stayed on the car, retracted in the rear compartment.

The removeable hard top has NO removeable T-tops, it has a solid one outer fibreglass shell.

What you appear to have is a modified removeable hardtop where somebody has added the T-tops after the fact.

If someone has modified car as suggested above, it's anybody's guess as to how to remove the hardtop. Can you see any way of unbolting it from the rear deck?

 

[Tom Bryant]

If you look at the picture of the maroon '70 with hardtop installed in the model center (see link below) you will see the differences in this '68. The '70s hardtop stops about 12' ahead of the rear deck vents and the rear pillars are much shorter than this top on this '68. All '68-'75 removable hardtops were the same demensions. Look at the rear view and you will see that this '68s top extends all the way back to the very edge of the deck vents. It also appears to have some sort of hardware store foam for a seal. Also notice there is no body line for the opening convertible deck lid as seen plainly on the below linked '70 picture.

If you also magnify the front view the lines for the t-tops are very clear as is the coupe weather stripping and interior trim panel on the rear pillar.

My opinion? It appears to be a top made up from a coupe t-top front section with a lift off hardtop rear section grafted on and lengthened in the process. Who knows if it is actually removeable or not. It looks like the rear portion in back of the t-tops might come off but the t-top coupe framing would stay on?? No way to tell without seeing it. It is obviously custom.

Tom

'70
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/cgi-bin/archives/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=1968_-_1982/1970&image=lt16.jpg&img=12&tt=

 

[bossvette]

can you post some more pictures, all I see is a red x in your first post, I love Sharks that are Modified the more subtle the better.

 

[ZRGator]

Does it have 4 red stop lights..backup lights under the rear bumpers.. if so it is a 68 tail clip, 68 did not have wheel flairs..not sure about the side maker lights..they don't look right.. the vin # should be on the block also.

Steve

Yeah, front side marker lights are def not '68.

 

[olouieo]

If you look at the picture of the maroon '70 with hardtop installed in the model center (see link below) you will see the differences in this '68. The '70s hardtop stops about 12' ahead of the rear deck vents and the rear pillars are much shorter than this top on this '68. All '68-'75 removable hardtops were the same demensions. Look at the rear view and you will see that this '68s top extends all the way back to the very edge of the deck vents. It also appears to have some sort of hardware store foam for a seal. Also notice there is no body line for the opening convertible deck lid as seen plainly on the below linked '70 picture.

If you also magnify the front view the lines for the t-tops are very clear as is the coupe weather stripping and interior trim panel on the rear pillar.

My opinion? It appears to be a top made up from a coupe t-top front section with a lift off hardtop rear section grafted on and lengthened in the process. Who knows if it is actually removeable or not. It looks like the rear portion in back of the t-tops might come off but the t-top coupe framing would stay on?? No way to tell without seeing it. It is obviously custom.

Tom

'70
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/cgi-bin/archives/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=1968_-_1982/1970&image=lt16.jpg&img=12&tt=

Very, very good observation Tom, I guess first we will have to see the VIN# to determine if it was an original vert, or t-top vette. The back panel does not have the back up lenses, the 68 had them, it is obvious that the front has been modified, now I can't wait to see more pics (interior??)

 

[norms72]

It is definately a neat looking custom. Subtle and not over done. I really like the front grille. Just by looking at the pictures I think that this is a t-top that has had the sail panels shaved down, a new window installed, vinyl, with a moulding installed at the bottom to make it look like a convertible with a hardtop. Just my $.02.

Regardless of what it is, it's still a cool ride.

 

[angry planet]

Man, I really appreciate all the help and opinions. As I am sure all of you know, it is kind of a crapshoot asking for help and opinions on internet, but you all have been so helpful and not ONE jackass! (...um... yet)

The VIN#'s 4 and 5 digits are 67, so it was a convertible to start out with.
It is dark now, but I will try to take pictures of the interior tomorrow. If anyone wants close up pictures of anything specific, interior or exterior, let me know, and I will try to take them and post them tomorrow.


About the grille: I really like it too... I actually like it better than the stock '68 grille, but there are some broken parts, and it is a dull grey. I would love to replace it with a new one that is maybe a little more vibrant, but since it isn't a corvette part, I guess I am out of luck. (Unless anyone has any idea where to get one...)

 

[bossvette]

I am able to see the picture on my laptop, I like the look. If it was a vert to begin with I would think the top would come off somehow.
Good luck and welcome to CAC
Craig sr

 

[72Tornado]

Wow....

..

Man, I really appreciate all the help and opinions. As I am sure all of you know, it is kind of a crapshoot asking for help and opinions on internet, but you all have been so helpful and not ONE jackass! (...um... yet)

The VIN#'s 4 and 5 digits are 67, so it was a convertible to start out with.
It is dark now, but I will try to take pictures of the interior tomorrow. If anyone wants close up pictures of anything specific, interior or exterior, let me know, and I will try to take them and post them tomorrow.


About the grille: I really like it too... I actually like it better than the stock '68 grille, but there are some broken parts, and it is a dull grey. I would love to replace it with a new one that is maybe a little more vibrant, but since it isn't a corvette part, I guess I am out of luck. (Unless anyone has any idea where to get one...)

Holy crap...I'm sorry that this isn't really directly relevant to the main topic of your post, but I gotta say something here. I was working out a deal for a 68 in Texas exactly two weeks ago today...he and I had agreed on a price of $9500 if I was gonna make the deal that day, but I didn't get the e-mail that offered that price until I got home from schoool. I called the seller, and he informed me that he had someone else coming with a check to buy the car that night. Now, when I saw the title of your post, I immediately thought of that 68, as I had noticed a bunch of things that were weird/incorrect for the model year with it in the pics the seller had sent me...then I noticed you were in TX, clicked on the pic and holy crap - I guess you were the guy that went to buy the car that night! That is seriously the exact car I was looking at, crazy how I happened upon this post to find the guy that actually bought it. I'm happy for ya man, although to be honest I never liked the custom stuff done to the front end, but no big deal...I ended up getting a couple more thousand dollars to buy a car and somehow managed to find a beautiful local car for an awesome price - the 72 Stingray that's now in my garage...anyway, sorry for the thread hijack, just thought I'd post 'cause it was too much of a coincidence not to

 

[Mac]

Welcome aboard, 72Tornado!! I'm sure you'll enjoy the CAC!!

-Mac

 

[angry planet]

Let me be the second to welcome you to the board then! Glad we both got the cars we wanted.

Let's see pictures of your car now!

 

[Whiplash]

Man, I really appreciate all the help and opinions. As I am sure all of you know, it is kind of a crapshoot asking for help and opinions on internet, but you all have been so helpful and not ONE jackass! (...um... yet)

The VIN#'s 4 and 5 digits are 67, so it was a convertible to start out with.
It is dark now, but I will try to take pictures of the interior tomorrow. If anyone wants close up pictures of anything specific, interior or exterior, let me know, and I will try to take them and post them tomorrow.


About the grille: I really like it too... I actually like it better than the stock '68 grille, but there are some broken parts, and it is a dull grey. I would love to replace it with a new one that is maybe a little more vibrant, but since it isn't a corvette part, I guess I am out of luck. (Unless anyone has any idea where to get one...)

I agree with everyone else here. Very nice custom work and a great price. I'm in the DFW area and would be happy to show you how to get the top off if it's really a modified hardtop. Unless it's grafted to the windshield and body it shouldn't be a problem. I can also help you find your numbers on the engine, tranny etc.

Drop me a PM if you want some help. We could meet for wings at a local Hooters

Whiplash

 

[68Roadster]

It's like someone bought a 68 and fixed everything like Chevrolet did in 69.....

Jon, did you say Hooters??? 114 in Grapevine???

 

[dman]

68 key in dash ... 69 key in colom ???????