Сhevrolet Сhevelle

1968 Chevelle

“Chevelle is a whole new kind of ’68 car. More than that, Chevelle is a whole new variety of cars with rakish new looks, remarkable new ways to handle roads” 1968 Chevelle brochure
  • Since the Chevelle’s inception, all models had been built on a 115 inch wheel base. The 1968 featured a 116 inch wheelbase for all sedans, while every other model was built on a 112 inch wheelbase.
  • Resulting from the above wheelbase changes, overall length of sedan models now had a total length of 201 inches, with other styles measuring 197 inches.
  • Standard engines in 1968 were a new 230 cubic inch six cylinder or the also new 307 cubic inch V-8.

Muscle Car Specifications

Performance Model
1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396
Engine Used
396ci/375hp
Zero to Sixty
6.6 sec
Quarter Mile
14.8 sec @ 99.0 mph

The 1968 Chevelle models boasted a distinctly changed body style that ushered the car into what has become known as its second generation. All 2-door models featured semi-fastback rooflines, with sedans featuring more of a curve at the rear window than previous models.

After losing its most powerful options for a year, the most powerful engine of the SS 396 series (producing 375 horsepower) returned as an option helping set the stage for the Chevelle to soon enter its muscle car heyday.

In a sharp turnaround from the 1967 Chevelle, nearly every Chevrolet model saw an upswing in sales during 1968. The Chevelle was no different, and its total production jumped back above the 400,000, in fact posting its highest ever production numbers at 422,900.

Chevelle 300 and 300 DeLuxe

Least expensive and least adorned of all the Chevelles, the 300 line, which had contained just a 2-door and 4-door sedan, this year was represented by a 2-door coupe and two wagons. In fact, the 300’s wagon models revived the Chevy “Nomad” name as the Nomad and the Nomad Custom. Devoid of any exterior trim, the lowest priced Chevelle (the 300 coupe) had a sticker price of $2,447.

The 300 DeLuxe continued its tradition of bridging the bottom-of-the-line 300 and the best-selling Malibu by offering standard upgraded interior and exterior trim options (wire wheel colors, window rain guards, etc.), as well as more color choices. Additionally, the DeLuxe offered more models to choose from: the 2-door coupe (1968’s new term for the 2-door sedan), the sports coupe and the 4-door sedan. The DeLuxe dropped its traditional wagon option in 1968.

Malibu

Always the Chevelle line’s best-seller, the Malibu continued to constitute over 60 percent of the total Chevelles produced. As usual, the Malibu offered its convertible and wagon lines equipped with all textured vinyl interiors. The Malibu also offered three other models, the sport coupe, the sport sedan and 4-door sedan, all with a choice of all-vinyl interiors or a combination of pattern cloth and vinyl.

Also new for 1968, the Malibu sport sedan offered a Concours package option, which featured exclusive interior and exterior trim with embossed fleur-de-lis cloth-and-vinyl upholstery along with special sound installation.

Concours

Not to be confused with the aforementioned Concours package, the Concours wagon returned in 1968 as the Chevelle line’s high-end wagon. The Concours wagon’s came standard with the 307 cubic inch V-8 engine and had a price tag of $3,083. In the 3,580 pound car, the engine achieved 17.9 miles to the gallon under normal cruising conditions.

Super Sport 396 Sport Coupe

Slightly relabeled as the SS 396 Sport Coupe, the 1968 model began a three year design cycle that was arguably the most successful muscle car in history. The 1968 model saw the welcome return of the L78 engine option that again produced 375 horsepower, offered at only $237 more than the SS 396’s already comparably reasonable $2,825 base price.

Like it had been for the previous few years, the base engine in the SS 396 produced with 325 horsepower, with a third option known as the L34 version producing 350 horsepower. Additional new standard features were the GM Hide-A-Way windshield wiper features (eventually standard on all Chevelles) and an efficient exhaust emission control system.

Muscle Car Competition

With the sleek new long hood/short deck design, coupled with the reappearance of the 375-horsepower engine option, the 1968 version of the Chevelle SS 396 marks the car’s first true contribution to what would become the enduring pantheon of muscle cars. It was a tradition that would last for the next few years as Chevy continued to produce SS 396’s that were friendly to budgets while still providing the power the ever-growing band of muscle car enthusiasts required.

With the exception of one major change and one minor change the 1969 Chevelle was basically the same as the 1968 Chevelle. The minor change was the way in which General Motors marketed the Super Sport.

Engine Specifications

Type Size Carb Horse Power Tourqe
I6 230ci 1x1bbl 140 hp @ 4400 rpm 220 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
I6 250ci 1x1bbl 155 hp @ 4200 rpm 235 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
V8 307ci 1x2bbl 200 hp @ 4600 rpm 300 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm
V8 327ci 1x4bbl 325 hp @ 5600 rpm 355 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
V8 327ci 1x4bbl 275 hp @ 4800 rpm 355 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
V8 327ci 1x4bbl 250 hp @ 4800 rpm 335 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
V8 396ci 1x4bbl 375 hp @ 5600 rpm 415 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
V8 396ci 1x4bbl 375 hp @ 5600 rpm 415 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
V8 396ci 1x4bbl 350 hp @ 5200 rpm 415 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
V8 396ci 1x4bbl 325 hp @ 4800 rpm 410 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm

Performance Statistics

0 to 60 mph Quarter Mile Engine Source
n/a 13.6 sec @ 105.0 mph 396ci/375hp Pop Hot Rodding 6/68
6.6 sec 14.8 sec @ 99.0 mph 396ci/375hp Car Life
7.4 sec 16.0 sec @ 89.0 mph 396ci/350hp Motor Trend
Overall rating
4.8
Looks
5.0
Performance
4.0
Parts Availability
5.0
Collectability
5.0

New look

I guess its all personal preference if you like the look of the 66 or 67 over the redsigned chevelle of 1968. I actually prefer this body style more. This chevelle was and is a real eye catcher. I own a 68 SS, it draws attention no matter where I go. I can’t beleive how many people I run into that tell me they had one way back in the day.

Overall rating
4.8
Looks
5.0
Performance
5.0
Parts Availability
4.0
Collectability
5.0

Good times

This is a sexy car. The lines are that of a zebra mixed with a liger with the ass of j-lo, and the roar is that of the american muscle as its finest, it brings people through a time machine back when times were a bit more simplistic and designs were more thought provoking. Revolutionary, cool, sexy, and a joy compared to now where things are technologically based with green energies and controls on the uprise and dime a dozen meets every car.

Overall rating
4.3
Looks
3.0
Performance
4.0
Parts Availability
5.0
Collectability
5.0

Newly redesigned – Like it or hate it?

The changes were good but not great. The lines were a little abrupt and the car looked a little too common. It was after all a family mover. The Super Sport option added the right amount of power and dressed up the car. The design was nice but not in the same league as the 1967 Chevelle.

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