Introduction - 1968
The 1968 model year saw a dramatic change in the General Motors A-body line across the board. The new 1968 Chevelle sport coupes, sedans, and convertibles have a shorter wheelbase than previous years, 112-inch vs. 115-inch while station wagons and sedan pickups grew to a 116-inch wheelbase. The Malibu and SS 396 series received GM's new "Hide-A-Way" windshield wiper system that moved the wipers below the hood level when in their parked position while the 300 and 300 Deluxe series could only order the feature as an option under RPO C24 and only 688 buyers did just that.
The Nomad nameplate made its way back into the Chevrolet lineup but was not the Nomad station wagons of 1955-1957 but rather based on both the 300 series as a "Nomad" and the 300 Deluxe series as a "Nomad Custom."
A number of firsts (and lasts) were on tap for 1968. This was the first year the sedan pickup, or El Camino, series was offered as a true SS 396 with its own 13880 series designation - but 1968 would also be the last year the SS 396 would be offered as a separate series. Chevrolet also decided to change the name of the 2-door pillared body style from "sedan" to "coupe" but it is still referred to in many Chevrolet circles as a "2-door post" due to the B-pillar.
Body style number designations changed for the sport coupe from "17" to "37" and the 2-door pillared coupe from "11" (for sedan) to "27" (for coupe).
300 Deluxe coupe
SS 396 El Camino
1968 SS 396 sport coupe
The 1968 model year standard stripe was a thin pinstripe running the length of the car at the belt line. The same stripe was standard on several 135-136xx Malibu series Chevelles except the 135-13680 El Camino. The stripe dimensions varied slightly between the 135-637 sport coupe, 135-667 convertible and the 135-639 sport sedan and 135-669 4-door sedan.
In March of 1968, the Chevelle offered a luxury option, Concours, on the Malibu sedan, sport coupe, and sport sedan under RPO ZK5, ZK6, and ZK7 respectively. This option should not be confused with the Concours series of station wagons. The option offered upscale interiors with additional sound deadening, Buick or Oldsmobile seats. Due to a supplier strike, Buick, Oldsmobile, and even Pontiac seats were substituted from March to as late as July in some cases for all 1968 Chevelle black interiors, bench seat or bucket seat. See the Interior Trim section for more details. Along with the upscale interiors of the Concours option(s), special Concours badging and additional bright trim was used.
Concours option rear panel trim.
Check out my CDs, coins, and
Chevelle books.
1968 Chevelle Links
- Only items in ALL CAPS and with an asterisk ( * ) are active
- PRODUCTION NUMBERS *
- Vehicle Identification Number
- ENGINES *
- Transmissions
- REAR AXLE *
- INTERIOR TRIM *
- Exterior Paint
- Interior/Exterior Combinations
- Regular Production Options
- Dealer Installed Accessories
- SS 396 *
- Facts/Trivia
- Trim Tag Data
- PLANT PRODUCTION NUMBERS *
- Tires & Wheels
