I recently found a 68 elco in someones back yard...I think. The vin # and cowl data plate read 68(vin#134808Z138250), but the tailgate, bumber and side marker lights say 69? Were there any 68's with side(rear)marker lights?

There is some dispute as to whether some 1968 Elkys had rear side marker lites. Factory literature describes the rear marker lites but all of the "68s that I ever saw didn't have them. Probably there were a few.

'68 El Caminos did not have back-up lights in the tail gate, '69-'72 did. I have seen side ones, and have pic's with them on a '68, but can't say they were factory put there or not

Pat

I think he's talking about side marker lites in the quarter panels, not in the tailgate.

It is the quarter panel marker lights that are throwing me off. The tailgate and bumper could be from a 69 but the lights in the quarter panels look to be factory. I plan to have the body taken to be media blasted so any welding should be obvious then. Just wondered if anybody knew of quarter panel markers in 68's. I didn't think they had them. A little confusing. :?

As I said before...factory literature reads that the 1968 El Camnino had rear side marker lites in the rear quarter panels although it appears that most if not all did not have them. However some people have reported 1968 Elkys with rear side marker lites. The VIN# indicates a 1968 so what's the big concern with the side marker lites; besides somewhere in it's long history maybe the quarter panels were changed and 1969 quarter panels installed. Maybe a real careful inspection might reveal that this is one of the few '68s with rear marker lights; if so you have a rarer Elky.

My '68 does not have the lights in the quarter panel, but it Does have the sockets in the wire harness for the bulbs under the panel in the rear, but no repaired holes, on either side.

Pat

Is there a wiring harness to the side marker lites in the quarter panels?

8) Talked to a guy here in town who used to have a 68. He said his had marker lights. I asked if by chance he knew when his Elky was born he got into his files it was August 68 so maybe it's a late in the year thing? He bought it with 1500 miles in jan. 69 was all original including paint!

PaPa John

Thanks for all the feedback guys. No real concern with the side marker lights Mrapii, just want to be sure if I'm building a 68 with side marker lights or a 69 with a 68 front clip. As you said, the vin does say 68. The wiring harness is pretty messy due to whoever put the 69- tailgate and bumper on , but the light sockets look to be factory. The restoration package I received from Chevrolet shows side marker lights on wagons only in 68, hense my confusion. But knowing that there's others out there, probably a late year thing, makes more sense. Thanks again for the feedback.

What type of restoration package did you recieve from Chevrolet ? What was involved in getting it and how did you go about it ?

Look at the Aug 22 post under tips and tricks subject: Free El Camino Restoration Packet. There's a 1-800 number there. Very easy to do, and worth it just for the factory info.

Ooops! Guess it's not there any more. Luckily I still have it in my bookmarks. That posting is what turned me on to this site. It went like this...


Approximately 3 months ago I recieved the information that Chevrolet will give any owner, a free Chevy "Truck" Restoration Packet"if you call 1 (800) 222-1020.