The 68 Corvette underwent an extremely dramatic body style change. With this change, came a meaner sleeker new look. This meaner new look, was completely different than any Corvette model before it. The new design became a classic look that many Corvette fans would know for years to come. The best feature of this new design was that the Corvette was now more aerodynamic and it did not lift off the ground like previous models did when reaching high speeds.
This classic new look wasn’t for everyone, as many old Corvette fans still loved the look of the old models and were disappointed with the new look model. Another concern was the pollution emission standards which were revised in 1968 and they featured new emission laws which had to be respected by all car manufacturers. So it was clear that now the engineers had to rework not only on the design, but on the fuel consumption and emission to make it stack up accordingly to emission rules or else risk suspended production.
The power train did not come with any modifications and it was pretty much the same as with the previous generations. One great difference was GM’s 3 speed Turbo Hydra Matic transmission substitution, for the older 2 speed Powerglide automatic. Another small change involved the car’s battery, which was moved behind the seats in order to have a better weight distribution and also in order to provide more space under the hood.
Also the side vent windows were completely removed and instead came the Astro Ventilation system which was by far superior. If in previous models the shoulder belts would come as an option which you had to pay for, now they were included as a standard. Other features this new 1968 model had were an electric rear window defroster, an AM FM stereo radio, a speed warning indicator, and a very much futuristic designed light monitoring system.
But for many people the Corvette’s redesign seemed to be too much and it was regarded by fans and enthusiasts as being excessive. They were right in one sense, for the excessive styling has burdened the car with another 150 pounds of weight.