Performance Review: Chevrolet Corvette C3 427 V8 Convertible - [1968]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Corvette Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Corvette C3 427 V8 Convertible is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1968. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8 and the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429.This particular Chevrolet Corvette has a 6996cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Corvette shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Corvette's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1488 kgs (3280 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Corvette C3 427 V8 Convertible in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet Corvette shares the same bhp with the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp)

In terms of power the 6996cc 16V V8 engine produces 396 bhp (295 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 460 lb-ft (623.6 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Chevrolet Corvette you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo (291.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Corvette.

The Chevrolet Corvette has a Power to weight ratio of 266.1 bhp per ton and 309.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1968 Corvette competing with the 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo (291.1 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 S AMG (290.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Chevrolet Corvette generating around 309.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce (333.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta 6.3L V12 (333.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.7 secs, this made the Chevrolet Corvette C3 427 V8 Convertible as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs). This Chevrolet Corvette C3 427 V8 Convertible is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Corvette and the 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Corvette on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.7 secs @ 107.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 (12.65 secs), the 2016 Audi A3 S3 Sportback 2.0 Turbo S-Tronic (12.65 secs), and the 1990 Nissan Skyline R32 GTR (12.66 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1968 version of the Chevrolet Corvette C3 427 V8 Convertible has a maximum speed of 139mph.

Top Speed of the 1968 Corvette equals the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (150 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette C3 427 V8 Convertible then how about the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (150 mph), the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 (150 mph), or the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (150 mph).

Related Links:

1968 Corvette Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison