1968 Corvette questions

[William S.]

Hi. After a few years away from the NCRS, while I owned no Corvette, I have rejoined after purchasing a 1968 Corvette coupe. The car is a 427-400hp automatic, all original drivetrain, with power steering and power brakes--a real boulevard cruiser rather than a drag strip bully. The car is a really pretty color blue (close to a LeMans Blue) with a black interior. Investigating the body tag shows that the car should be Silverstone Silver paint with a Gunmetal gray interior. My questions:

1. What of the interior should be the gray color, and what would be other colors (e.g., black) in the interior ?

2. If I change the interior first, and the paint later, does anyone out there have a LeMans blue '68 with a Gunmetal gray interior who can comment about how well or not those two colors go together ?

3. I have talked with both previous owners before me, whose ownerships date back to 1989. Both insist that the car had the Alarm System (UA6), a truly rare option in 1968. What components should I find in or on the car to verify that it has (had) this ?

4. I know that the car was purchased in 1989 at the Autorama Auction in Houston, TX. Before this, the trail goes cold. Does NCRS have any sort of list of VIN numbers to owners at a particular time, via shows, etc. that could help me in trying to track down the owner history ?

5. What sort of point deductions will I face at NCRS, Bloomington, etc. for incorrect paint/interior ?

Thanks.

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 Corvette questions

Interior colors offered for silver exterior were Dark Blue, Black, and Gunmetal Gray. 388 68's had the optional alarm system. Should be a lock in the rear just above the Corvette name, jack compartment would have a relay and flasher with wiring, and the door ajar switch located at the rear bottom of the door would have extra wiring for the alarm.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 Corvette questions

William------

For 1968, virtually all interior trim components would have been "color-matched". This includes seats, door panels, upper and lower dash panels, forward and rear console, carpets, seat belts, roof panel trim, and rear quarter trim panels, and steering column. Even the window crank knobs were color-matched for 1968.

[William S.]

Re: 1968 Corvette questions

Thanks for the response, Jim. The car does have the lock on the rear, and it does have the relay and flasher with wiring in the jack compartment. So how exactly is the alarm supposed to be armed and work, as the Owners Manual has no description about it ? Also, is the key (which I don't have) unique, or are other locks in the car keyed the same as the alarm key ? Thanks again.

[William S.]

Re: 1968 Corvette questions

Thanks for the response, Joe. If I were to change the interior first, could you tell me if LeMans Blue paint with a Gunmetal gray interior was a legitimate color combination available in 1968 ? Thanks.

[Mark #44888]

Re: 1968 Corvette questions

William - I have a 1970, and also have the alarm option. I just replaced my alarm lock, because I didn't have the key and the lock cylinder had corroded. It's available at Paragon (link below) for about $18. It is not keyed the same as the other locks. To change it, you'll have to drop the gas tank, though.

The part number is 2934K (paragon #)

Mark




Alarm Lock from Paragon

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 Corvette questions

William------

LeMans Blue was not originally available with a gunmetal gray interior color. However, I don't think that it would be a "clashing" color combination.

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 Corvette questions

William the alarm lock should use the same key that would lock the center compartment and the spare tire lock. The 68's ignition key also works the door locks. The horn for the alarm is located in the left rear wheel well area. If you do not have the key for the alarm you could remove the center compartment door lock and take it to a locksmith shop to get a new key cut.

[William S.]

Re: 1968 Corvette questions

Thanks, Joe. I can just see the car dealer's ad years from now when my descendents decide they'd rather have the money than the car: "Unique color combination of LeMans Blue paint with Gunmetal interior... could be C.O.P.O...One of one....the Real Deal".

[William S.]

Re: 1968 Corvette questions

Thanks, Jim. That was what I was hoping would be the case, and my strategy for getting a key if it was. Back to my earlier questions, just how does the alarm arm, and disarm ? Without breaking into my own car, how can I test the alarm ? If I accidently set it off (assuming it works), will the key in the door disarm it as in newer Corvettes ? Will disconnecting the battery disarm it ? Thanks again.

[mike cobine]

Re: 1968 Corvette questions

The trim tag would indicate the correct color, as you stated in the first post.

However, there would still be some who would list it as "super rare", COPO, "special order", and so on.

[Jack H.]

You need a PV Manual...

The NCRS 1968-1972 Corvette Operations Manual & Performance Verification Test Guide reads:

"A burgular alarm is an option in 1968-1971 (UA6 option) and standard on 1972 Corvettes. See that for 1968, 1969 and 1970 UA6 equipped Corvettes up to about serial number 8,000 to 12,000 the key is a small Briggs & Stratton key like that used on the locking gas caps (the B&S alarm key does not have lettering indicating FUEL or ALARM). Later 1970 and all 1971 and 1972 alarm equipped Corvettes use the same oval head key that operates the inside storage compartment and spare tire lock. See that the same key operates all three locks.

Check that opening each door and the hood sounds the alarm. [Balance of text omitted].

This says you should have three keys for your car with the optional alarm key being different and unique. You insert the key in the rear lock to arm and dis-arm the system. When the system is armed, opening either door or the hood should trigger the alarm system's warning horn to honk with sound intervals sequenced by the turn signal flasher module installed in the rear compartment and the warning sequence continuing until you dis-arm the system from the rear of the car....

The door locks and ignition key have no interaction with the alarm system on these early Corvettes....

[Dick W.]

Re: 1968 Corvette questions

The highest award available for a color/interior change car is 2nd Flight, regardless of the points. It could be less if it scores less than 2nd Flight

[William S.]

Re: 1968 Corvette questions

You're right ! I forgot the word "rare" ! I hear the asking price can go up $1000 for each use of the word "rare", $2000 if you make it "super rare".

[William S.]

Re: You need a PV Manual...

Good idea. I ordered a PV manual, a Technical manual, and a Judging manual today. I have the feeling that by the time it's all said and done, my credit card will be smokin'. And unless I want to sacrifice a perfectly good paint job, all for a car that can place no higher than 2nd Flight. Now if I could just find some glasses that make LeMans Blue look like Siverstone Silver...