1968 Corvette Questions

[Tony]

Hey Guys,

Ive had vettes for many years

I am knew to restoring it NCRS

So I have many questions plus this is the 68 mutt

What is a good publication that tells and details nuts, bolts, colors, engine detail, preperation, what is servicible, applications and so on

I see all these new paints that eastwood has that look exactly like the product such as alumi blast are these to be used?

I ask this as I am in the north east and things rust and corrode over night

Thanks for the help

[Jack H.]

Re: 1968 Corvette Questions

There's no one book or other reference source that will help you restore 'baby' and answer all your questions... I suggest you start a support library with the following publications:

(1) 1968-69 NCRS Technical Information Manual And Judging Guide -- what does NCRS tell judges to look for?

(2) 1968 Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) -- what did GM tell assy workers about the final assy process for the car?

(3) 1968 Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual -- what did Chevy tell dealership mechanics about how to do maintenance on the car?

(4) Fact Book of the 1968-72 Stingray -- loaded with pictures of this/that elusive part...

No single publication is without error(s), so as you read keep an open mind! There are other books that are helpful and worth putting into your libarary, but these three are probably enough reading to get started and can all be purchased from NCRS at the merchandise center (this web site) with member discounts.

On coating parts with 'look alike' paint products, I wouldn't waste time there. NONE of the paints look close enough to the factory original finish to fool a savvy judge (they might pass in a local show 'n shine competition...). Each component that's judged is scored on originality and condition.

On originality, the universe of points is divided along a 5-axis universe: Finish, Date, Installation, Configuration and Completeness. So, if a part is known to have been, say, zinc plated and judges detect a 'foreign' coating (look alike zinc paint), you lose 20% of the available originality points because it didn't come from the factory that way. You might have lost fewer points by leaving the part as it was, getting full credit on originality and taking a few points of loss for a less than pristine condition....