| Chevrolet Division
General Motors Corporation Detroit, Michigan |
| Engine |
400-hp, 427 cu. in. V-8 |
| Transmission |
3-speed automatic |
| Steering |
Power-assisted |
| Suspension |
Standard |
| Brakes |
Disc F, Disk R |
Check
list |
| Engine |
| Throttle Response |
Good |
| Noise Insulation |
Good |
| Drive
train |
| Shift Linkage |
Good |
| Shift Smoothness |
Good |
| Steering |
| Effort |
Fair |
| Response |
Very
Good |
| Handling |
| Predictability |
Good |
| Evasive Maneuverability |
Very
Good |
| Brakes |
| Directional Stability |
Excellent |
| Fade Resistance |
Excellent |
| Interior |
| Ease of Entry/Exit |
Fair |
| Driving Position |
Very
Good |
| Front Seating Comfort |
Good |
| Rear Seating Comfort |
-- |
| General |
| Vision |
Fair |
| Heater/ Defroster |
Very
Good |
| Weather Sealing |
Poor |
| Trunk Space |
Poor |
|
The '68 Corvette is
the wildest-looking production car Detroit has ever made, but
underneath that radical "coke-bottle" styling, the
mechanical components are much the same as the '67 models.
Modifications to the rear-suspension
geometry, and the addition of wide-oval tires and wide (7-inch)
rims have improved the handling characteristics above that
of the highly-touted Sting Ray. There is some dispute about
road feel and directional precision with the Corvette's optional
powerassisted steering, but all agree that the car's cornering
capabilities are first rate, with ride comfort about the same
(which is definitely not "Jet Smooth" ).
The 3-speed Turbo HydraMatic
finally replaces the 2-speed Powerglide on all models ordered
with automatic transmission, and as far as we're concerned,
it's the only way to go (short of anything but racing applications).
The brakes, 4-wheel discs, are unchanged and still among the
best in the world.
The new interior looks flashy,
but isn't as practical as the old. The seats are more comfortable,
but the stylishly-pinched waist has eliminated virtually all
shoulder room and there's barely room between the steering
wheel and the door panels. Also, quality control has been
poor, at least on one of the early production models we tested. |
