1968 Front Spoiler!

[1968 Z28]

I know there were two front spoilers for the 1968, ( 3916673-The first one and I understand that it was just screwed to the valance panel ) and ( 3943249-The second one and I understand that it was supposed to use the braces 3943253 & 3943251 ).  My 1968 Z28, 07C, has the spoiler option ( D80) but didn't have the spoiler when I bought it,  but upon removing the valance panel from the front end I noticed that the screws that mounted the spoiler and a small piece of the plastic under the screws from the old spoiler remained.  I did not find any braces attached so I am presuming that it either had the first design spoiler or it had the second design and when the original spoiler departed that the first owner removed the braces.  I am about to purchase a new spoiler and  I want to get the right one that matches the  date of the car.

So....does anyone know when the first design was deleted and the second design was added to the production line, or even if the second design was ever added to the production line and was only available as a service part?  Also, are both of the spoilers classified as original to the car or is the first one, only, original to the car?

Any pictures showing both of the spoilers would be greatly appreciated.....just to make sure I get the right one.

Thanks in advance for any advice given....

[68Zproject]

Jerry, I found several topics under search "68 spoiler".  If this doesn't answer your question, check the others.

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=84.0

[1968 Z28]

Thanks.....had already read that one but it didn't mention anything about the production dates.  Just want to make sure that I get the one that would apply to my car build date.....or if it makes no difference then I'll get the later model.  Looks like the later one is heavier and it uses the braces so that it would probably hold up better....and it is usually cheaper.

Thanks again....

[68Zproject]

I think there was another link inside that post that gave some dates.  Don't know for sure as I had to get off the "puter for someone else.  I've got two of the ones with braces.  One was never used and the other is off my car and is in good shape.  Both are repro though.

[1968 Z28]

I'll go back and search again....thanks for advising me.

[SS375HP]

I've attached photos of both the 68 and the 69 front spoilers. The 69 is larger and is more angled.

[SS375HP]

Hi Sonet,
You might check for a hole for the center support rod in the subframe center support. If there is no hole then for sure you had the earlier 68 style spolier. If you have a hole there then someone may have added it or it was put there from the factory. Having a hole in the support isn't conclusive, but may give you some additional food for thought. I've attached a photo of the center support brace on the front of the subframe with a hole for the spoiler center rod. On this example the hole wasn't centered so I'm assuming someone drilled it after production.
Ken

[1968 Z28]

Thanks Ken......Yeah I found the hole on the subframe and that is what got me to thinking about which one is correct.  I did find a sentence in the CRG info on spoilers that stated the change in the production line to the later spoiler might have occurred in may '68...So that would place my 07C car in the later category.  I am the second owner and when I purchased the car in '72 the spoiler was already gone so I am pretty sure the hole in the subframe was put there by the factory.  Have you noticed the difference in spoilers on any of your '68 restorations?

Thanks again for your input......BTW....I am considering the prospect of having someone restore my Z28.....would you be interested?  If so, let me know and I will give you a call.

Jerry G.

[noschevys]

Was the spoiler rod hole in your subframe centered?  Can you post a pic?  Thanks

[sd1968z28]

what is the date of your 68.  my april d80 z28 has no support rods.

[noschevys]

Mine is also 07C.

[1968 Z28]

Well......one step forward and two steps back.  There is a hole in the subframe but it is only a 1/4" and it is centered......don't know if it is there for a center brace....would have thought it would have been larger if it was, more like a 5/16".  That smaller hole got me to thinking again so I called the original owner of the car and asked him if he remembered the spoiler on the car and what it looked like.  He said that for sure it didn't have any braces on it and that it hung down about 5 " and it had a rough texture.  Well to me that sounds like the first design spoiler....so I guess I am back to getting the first design unless someone comes up with any new evidence.

Again....thanks for every ones input.

[X66 714]

After reading these trhead on the 68 spoiler, I'm thinking for the last 33 years I've had the late design on the 02E car. Who has the most correct early design on the market?
Thanks, Joe

[1968 Z28]

After reading these trhead on the 68 spoiler, I'm thinking for the last 33 years I've had the late design on the 02E car. Who has the most correct early design on the market?
Thanks, Joe

Joe.....Here are a couple that I found...there are a lot of vendors advertising the early spoiler, and even giving the early part number, but when you look at them they don't look like the original early spoiler. These three do look like the original:
 
     http://www.rickscamaros.com/product.asp?pf_id=SB-15&dept_id=3350   
     http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?userwatch~dynamicSearchPage~cadeiije  (then type 3916673 in the search box)      
     http://www.heartbeatcity.com/store/product/14394/Camaro-Front-spoiler--correct-style--68/

[flyingskibiker]

I learn something new every day!  And have to replace my incorrect parts, sell them, and try to survive until I find the next thing I purchased incorrectly... :-P  Though, I do believe that back when I purchased half this stuff, there were few options.  Plus, I don't think there was this wealth of knowledge.  Or the internet... heh heh

[Pex68]

Sonet, just check the piece of plastic you found under the screw, if it has a texture on it you have your your answer.  Mine had the early design and personally like it better.

[1968 Z28]

I learn something new every day!  And have to replace my incorrect parts, sell them, and try to survive until I find the next thing I purchased incorrectly... :-P  Though, I do believe that back when I purchased half this stuff, there were few options.  Plus, I don't think there was this wealth of knowledge.  Or the internet... heh heh

That is so true.....Back when I first got the car I tried to find a replacement spoiler and the only thing I could find was the one with the braces.  Now, finally, the original looking first design is available.  And yes back then I didn't know there was more than one design.  Learn new things every day.

[1968 Z28]

Sonet, just check the piece of plastic you found under the screw, if it has a texture on it you have your your answer.  Mine had the early design and personally like it better.

Thanks for the advice....but  they are now gone to the trash....oh well...live and learn...LOL.  But like I said earlier, the original owner said he didn't remember ever seeing any kind of bracing on the spoiler and he also said it had a rough texture so I believe the first design is the way to go.

Thanks for the input Chris....

[Pex68]

Jerry, the trash is your worst enemy!!!  I learned that the hard way too!  If you’re gonna throw anything out take pictures from all angles first…never know when you'll want to refer back to it.