Hey Guys,

I'm new to this board, but I have some interest in getting and old Chevelle and restoring it. But there is something I noticed about all the Chevelle SS's... The 1968s aren't going for as much money. Even on this site, it seems as though the '67, '69, and '70 are going for more.

So my question is, was '68 a bad year? Major differences from other years? Any particular engine size better? I've seen restored one's with 504s, others with the original 396... what to look/look out for?

I am still at the beginning of my research process, since I know to "do my homework" when it comes to buying anything, but I figured this would be the best place to start.

Thanks for any and all help.

:cool:

It is just a popularity/preference thing. A majority of folks like the other years better. They did build over 55k of the SS396s so some one must have liked them new. As the other years have gotten more expensive though, the 68s have been looked at a little closer.
Engine? The L78 375hp 4speed car would be the one to have if you are looking for the most desirable "stock" engine. You will pay a premium to get an L78 car though. They did not make a lot of them. Lots of options for what you could put in a Chevelle if it isn't stock. I have a mildly built 454 in my 68. In my other Chevelle a 71 that looks like a 70, there resides a 540 with a blower. Other guys have also gone with updated drivetrains like the LS1 and I believe we even have a couple turbo Buick V6 Chevelles on here. It depends what you are looking to do with it, but as you can see options are wide open.
One Cool thing about 68s is an SS396 is a model for that year and not just an option. You can determine the Super Sport heritage without having to have documents, it's listed in the VIN. The 69-71 cars don't have that.

In my opinion as you do your research, decide which car you like best and get that year. As much as it might seem logical to get the year of chevelle based on price, you will most likely keep wishing you bought the year you liked best. This may turn you off to the Chevelle you acquire and cost you more money in the long run. Good luck with your research.

Welcome to Team Chevelle :D

1968 was the first year for that body style and the Chevelle has a lot parts that are for that year only. Some people just don't care for the '68 look and prefer the "cleaner style" of the '69. There is nothing wrong with the '68 models and in my opinion they are just as good as any other year.

i'm a little close to this issue.
i personally like my 68 better than the other years.
the 68's were a year of first's and last's.
on the last side.
last year for key on the dash, wind wing windows, metal grill, 2-piston-disc brake caliper, door lock knobs at end of door, ignition+door keyed same, small rectangular tail-lights. could be more i've missed........

first year for a hot new body style that didn't seem to catch on good till the 69-model changes. many items on the 68's are 1-year only for chevelle, such as hoods+hinges, dashes, tail-lights, bumpers, grills, fenders, could be more i've missed........

as such with the popularity being lower, the restoring parts are starting to be more available now, however when i was fixing up my 68-vert it was much harder and several cars and wrecking yards were raided for nice usable parts, most used car parts and wrecking yard sources have dried up. now they are making many parts i had to search high and lo for...........

many people like the '68's, but they have lagged behind the years you mentioned along with the '66's. but the '68's are probably worth more than the '64, '65, '71, '72, apples to apples.
the '68 is my favorite year and it seems to me there aren't near as many nicely done '68's out there. when you do see a well done '68, they do pretty well. a very nice SS coupe would go for $30k, nice convertibles, $40k or better. but things are coming down nowadays.
the biggest chevelle mystery to me is why people will pay more for an undocumented '69 than a '68 which is a 138-VIN proof positive of what you have. they are so similar. when i was looking for my '68 SS conv i quickly stopped looking at the '69's because no one had any docs to prove the car was real.

As you can see the reasons are clearly defined. A 68 is either you like it or do not. The ones that do are passionate about them. I prefer a 69 and have had 7 including my current project. One thing I have noticed is how much I like the well done 68's . It is a model that done poorly shows it more so than others.

I've been told that the 68s were so popular to do back in the day that it's the reason there aren't as many around today.....people take the left over 69s instead of the 68s they can't find. I don't know if this is true, but I certainly like the 68s WAY better than the 69s. 69 would be my last choice if looking for a Chevelle in the 64-72 era.....I know a lot of people would disagree:D I've also heard about a roller-tach, never seen one but from what I hear, it's like chasing a spinning barrel, and it can't quite keep up with the engine, so it would be an interesting option. Lots of personality in a 68, harder to find parts, but there's less of them to compete with in the shows/parking lots. Good luck, and I agree....choose the car YOU like the best.:thumbsup:

I've owned two 68's a 69 and a 70. The tail lights are awesome on 68 as well as the unique dash bezel and front marker bezels.

12704 :thumbsup:

68s are my favorite year i prefer the 300 Series and the SS396 i never did care for the Malibu, but to answer your question on doing a resto i would find one that had the numbers matching parts to it like the engine and drivetrain most likely i would find is a 396 375h.p L78 with a 4 speed and make sure its a 12 bolt posi cause many people swap rear ends and sell the 12 bolts for high dollars then put in a cheap little 10 bolt, make sure its a Muncie 4 speed if its a 4speed because all the high dollar 68s are 4 speeds if its a 3 speed it might be more likely to be desirable because of their uniqueness because many SS's didnt come with them, but make sure the 68 has the bucket seats if your looking for a high dollar car in the end check the trim code on the cowl and make sure it was an original bucket seat car and see what color if you paint the car with the numbers matching paint and the numbers matching interior color the car will be worth more ive noticed that the Tuxedo black cars that are numbers matching bring big bucks with the red stripe and red interior IMO its a beautiful combo, but make sure it has a tach thats a plus and make sure the clock is in the dash, make sure the miles are low thats a plus make sure shes clean thats a plus, make sure it has the Deluxe steering wheel standard on SS's make sure its a 138 code marking the SS package make sure she has the rally guages option which shows the ampers and stuff like that with the needle, if it has the speed warning, tach, rally guages, and the clock in there thats a thousand dollar dash right there if you take it out that means it adds on a thousand dollars to the car right yes it does, if it is an L78 car with A/C most likely its an L78 clone the L78 car never came with A/C it could not be had, make sure it has the power steering, and power brakes with discs also make sure it has the F-41 suspension always adds to the car the more options it has the higher money it will bring also add the original 1 year only Am-Fm radio to the car with the multiplex system thats about a $1500 dollar option right there combined, oh the 4 core radiator also usually standard on SS's, when you do your resto i would be the body on a body turner and sandblast the frame and underbody of the body and paint the underbody of the body high gloss black PPG products recommended they have better warrenty also the frame i would paint semi-gloss, when you do the resto make sure you strip the trunk completly down to bare metal to get all remaining rust from trunk leaks over 40 years:D and paint the trunk with the original splatter paint usually 68s had the black/auqa and the black/white paint, upgrade the shocks and every thing and springs always always always put big block A/C springs on the front of an SS they sit really nice and give it a perfect stance also put air shocks on the rear, i would but lakewoods bolt on ladder bars so there wont be any wheel hop doing burnouts:D, also do the firewall and inner fenders with the original semi-gloss or high-gloss black paint i hate when people paint their firewalls the same color of the car IMO ruins the value of the car because you would have to remove the engine just to get it back to the original black:mad:, get the right vinal for the interiors seats, and for the fender markers if its an SS car you get try to find the fender markers on ebay that have the SS396 on them they are super rare but they are a nice option for your SS, um make sure your grill is black thats what the SS's are :yes: and make sure your hood is an original SS hood repos suck they just deduct value to your car ya which brings me to my next point if your car has all its original body panels it will be worth more cause they are so rare cause most rot out making people replace them if you put the kick panel speaker option in that adds to value also though its rare on a 68 its a nice option:thumbsup: rear window defroster is another nice option to add to have a highly optioned car, never ever put an aftermarket tach or guages in the deduct from value and they look stupid anyway hope this helps you out i think i pretty much nailed anything your looking for:D

I am on my 2nd 68 SS. I absolutely love them, and I agree with one of the other guys when he said " buy the one you like the best". I have been looking for years to find a decent rebuildable 68, and as far as I'm concerned, I think they will be worth more than the 69's in the future. Much harder to find. Don't get me wrong, I like 69s also, but I found quite a few in my search for a 68. Buy the one you want, build it the way you want, not the way someone else thinks you should build it. You will end up with an investment that you can enjoy.

Thanks for all the info and the quick responses guys! If there is anything else, feel free to add to the topic.

On another note...

The current popularity of the 68 may down over the bookend years, 67 & 69's, but that could be a really good thing. If you can find a nice 138 car for good price, it will be a greater valued investment over the long run.

Muscle cars in general have gone sky high in the last five years. Even though the market may be slow, prices aren't dropping and probably won't unless there's a huge recession or depression. (not likely IMO) The shortage in affordable 60's muscle cars led to the rise in popularity and value of the late 50's and early 60's cars. Same concept applies to the 68 Chevelle SS. They will be equal to other years in not too distant future if history teaches us anything. Right now, with a slow market, it may be THE best time to purchase a nice 68 138 car.

Back to your question:

Even though I may prefer a '69 slightly over a '68, there's nothing lesser about a 68 SS 396 than any other year. I believe there are less of them because the popularity has been down since the 70's and most would be sold for less and more often than other years. As a whole, they would subsequesntly be more abused and less cared for as well.

1966 was the first year for the general public to buy an SS 396 Chevelle. They were popular and set the stage for many stories spun from street performance lore.

1967 upped the anti with more 375 HP cars on the streets and looked a little better than the '66 model car that so many people fell in love with. The 427's were available over the counter and easier to find. 1967 had a sillouette that was unmistakable and feared on the streets. By the summer of 67, the public absolutley made the Chevelle a very popular car.

1968 - An entire new car from front to back. Alltogether new shape. You know the feeling you get when you see a brand new model year car and you don't really like it?
You wonder 'Why did they change it? last year's model looked so good!'. I think this was the case with some folks in late 67 and 1968. It was tough 'getting over' the 67 model, but the Chevelle was tough to beat in performance, price and looks.

1969 - Pinnacle year! 1970 Lovers will argue about the 454, the LS-6 and all the press regarding the 70 Chevelle as the zenith model year, but I beg to differ. Once folks got over the new shape of the 68, the 69 looked more appealing than the 68. With the smoother looking body minus the side trim and the new SS wheels that really set it off, the 69 just had a more polished look to it.
Now, in 1969, we have FACTORY 427 COPO cars, Yenko 427 Super cars, Baldwin cars, Nickey cars and easier than ever to get, over-the-counter 427 motors. More Chevelles were sold in 69 than any other year.

So, you have two very popular model years on either end of 1968.

I believe the 68 are lower in price, there was a super nice one here on the forum that was being talked about that did not bring the money it should of.
My personal opinon on 68s is the front end kills the car, alot of people including me like the tough look in the muscle cars, 68 has the 70 year old grandma driver look on the front end, this is where the 69s dominate. imo
If your looking to invest on a chevelle, 1970 is where the dollar is. 71-72s have a very nice look to them but are very low on the dollar chain. all these cars are cool, I wouldnt worry about what others think, buy something that fits you that you real like.

Welcome to T.C

I wish someone would point me in the direction of one of these low priced 68s!

I can find some nice deals on convertibles, I can find a few decent deals on SS396s but I can't find a decent deal on a good old standard Malibu yet.

All I want is a rust free car that if it has been painted in not red and does NOT have 70-72 stripes on it. The closest thing I found is goldish green but that color does not exactly set me on fire. Now if you know of a Grecian green one let me know!

I wish someone would point me in the direction of one of these low priced 68s!

I can find some nice deals on convertibles, I can find a few decent deals on SS396s but I can't find a decent deal on a good old standard Malibu yet.

All I want is a rust free car that if it has been painted in not red and does NOT have 70-72 stripes on it. The closest thing I found is goldish green but that color does not exactly set me on fire. Now if you know of a Grecian green one let me know!

At the Decatur swap meet a few weeks ago, there was a freshly restored 68 convertible SS 396, Butternut yellow with black interior, lower and side stripes. All stock and VERY nice.
#'s matching 325 HP motor, 400 Turbo. NICE! I believe $24,000 would have put it in your driveway. Price that against a 69, 70 or 66-67.

I'll let you know when a nice Malibu shows up, because you are right! 68 Malibus are few and far between!

68 is my favorite year also
I have a 69 ss, but I would sell it long before I would even consider getting rid of my 68
I've heard many people refer to the 68 as the ugly step sister to the 69, but it is really all just preference
I just bought a 68 ss that will be getting restored someday also
this is the first automatic chevelle I've owned in many, many years. it is also an ac car, but I didn't get any of that stuff with it.
can't wait to finish my vert so I can start on this one

I threw the convertible idea out there, my wife decided she is not a big fan, although for a restored SS Convert at $24K I would have bought first and asked later lol. I am looking to replace my daily driver and I have decided that I want to replace it with a 68 Chevelle, at least that is my goal. SMall block would be better as a daily driver, although for a nice car I might even consider one with no engine, then put a LT1 or something like that in it. I don't have the tools, or skills to do a whole car myself and I surely don't have the pocketbook to pay someone to do it all for me, but to get what I would really like that is the way to go. So I am destined to have something a bit less than perfect, but I can live with that. All I ask is that it is priced reasonable to begin with!. I would love one with buckets and a/c already in it, but if its not there just price it so I can add them! I have found a couple of cars out there but they are priced a good bit higher than I think a 68 malibu is worth with a 307 motor. So bad I have been studying a station wagon and trying to convince myself I would like it :-)


At the Decatur swap meet a few weeks ago, there was a freshly restored 68 convertible SS 396, Butternut yellow with black interior, lower and side stripes. All stock and VERY nice.
#'s matching 325 HP motor, 400 Turbo. NICE! I believe $24,000 would have put it in your driveway. Price that against a 69, 70 or 66-67.

I'll let you know when a nice Malibu shows up, because you are right! 68 Malibus are few and far between!

:thumbsup:

you all keep bad mouthing the 68's :D
that leaves more of them for those of us who love em !!! :yes:

:thumbsup:

you all keep bad mouthing the 68's :D
that leaves more of them for those of us who love em !!! :yes:yep:hurray:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/591227683.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/578603556.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/577002670.html

572 TOTAL miles? http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/car/560367642.html

personally, I think this car is really cool, although not a Chevelle. http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/car/559911324.html I put 17" Rally wheels on her and JUST DRIVE!

First one the yellow one is average to a bit high for a 68SS at 25K
2nd one hard to say no pics.
3rd one at 14k is high for what it is

572 miles no who knows, no price no pics no real info.

The impala is pretty cool with that motor

I looked for quite a while for a true 66 SS396 car.

That has always been my favorite year for Chevelles.

I also like the 1970 model, but so many ppl seem to have them, I wanted something more rare.

I love the 66/67 body style, but I really dislike the 67 front end compared to the 66.

I love my 68. The only year for the roller tach. It was the last year the alternator is on the left side. The newer ones has it on the right and if with ac it makes the hoses have to go across the motor. Mine has ac and it looks so much cleaner undeneath the hood.

I was looking for a 71 or 72 when I started looking my a Chevelle. I wound up with a 68 Malibu vert. It was way too good of a deal to pass up and It kinda grew on my like some sort of fungus!

My 68 is just what I want ...I'm restoring this as a hobby and not an investment ...It does have a CE block with all the original heads and stuff , and all paperwork and window sticker from the dealer ..cancelled check and black and yellow California plates ..:hurray: ..and it is 110% rust free ..original interior ..68,000 mile car ....alot of other year cars will never be worth in cash what this might be ...

We like our '69s but loved the '68 SS that we had back in the later '80s.

Hi, I've had my 68 chevelle since 1974,i would never part with it,got some great memorys with it.... i love the little vent windows lol jeff

I never was a 68 fan till I owned one.. I really came to appreciate all the “1 year only” unique items these cars have.. (My wallet on the other hand has another story) What other year Chevelle can you get a factory “Buick” interior installed???

Here is a pic of mine, although it is now in pieces in the garage going through a frame off. The 138 factor is a plus….

Keep the 68’s alive.. :thumbsup:

Dave

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/Picture_00110.jpg

Keith, Dave, Nice looking 68's! :thumbsup:

:thumbsup:

you all keep bad mouthing the 68's :D
that leaves more of them for those of us who love em !!! :yes:

amen to that:):D;):thumbsup::yes::hurray:

ill keep my 68 over any other year any day shes a 300 Deluxe and i wouldnt trade for an SS anyday i love her:thumbsup: