open up the wiper door and freeze it in place by using the knob under the steering column, you can then push out the rubber plug and get to the hood latch, rd

The plug is actually plastic (well t least they are on my 79). If you can't pull it out, you can push a screwdriver through it. The latch is literally in front of the plug. Push straight down when you feel a metal to metal contact and you'll pop the latch.

You can purchase replacement plugs for about a buck if you had to damage the originals to  get at the latch

Good luck.

Paul

Okay I stole this from another forum but then again we are all tryin to help each other out right... "One big happy school!
["hmmmm.....68 eh? Not sure if it's quite the same, but I remember with most of the C3 Vettes there is a large rubber plug in the wiper recess on each side (between the hood and the windshield) that can be removed to manually manipulate the latch mechanism. I know with later models you can stick a screwdriver in there and push the lever down to unlatch the hood. But first, make sure you've tried other ways of opening it, ie pushing the hood down while pulling the lever to take the presssure off of the latch, wiggleing while pushing, swearing at it, etc."]

In the hopes of helping with this problem, I'll offer just a little extra detail.
I studied the underhood setup a few days ago, when I remembered to
check out the hood latch system, to be prepared for this very situation.

You need to angle the screwdriver (or whatever flat-bladed tool you're
using) down towards the ground when you're searching for the metal 'tab'
that will release the latch. That tab sits at the bottom of the latch
mechanism--just above the 'shelf' at the rear of the engine compartment
where the latch mechanism is bolted.

Stick your blade through the hole. Feel for the perpendicular surface of
the latch mechanism. Pull the blade back until you can feel the rear
surface of the mechanism. Move the tip of the blade down until it catches
on top of the tab, at the very bottom of the mechanism. Push down on
the tab, and the latch should pop.

Good luck with it--

Bruce....
I sent you a Private message... 

I have had this happen to both my 72 and my 76.....and I managed to
free both hoods.... 

If you want some help...I included my home phone number in the Private
message I live only 30 minutes from Mt Airy...In Frederick

Bob G.

[QUOTE=steves74]

My 74 has a hole with a rubber plug, just behind the latch...both sides.  Maybe your 68 is the same?? I have never tried this, but push out the plugs.  Use a wooden stick maybe.  Once the rubber plug is removed, continue to probe around with your wooded stick.  You are in the area of the latch and if you are lucky, will disengage the latch.

I had often thought of removing the rubber plugs and making a stick to fit, just in case my hood got stuck.  Has anybody done this?

Let me know whatever you do, so we can all learn.....thanks

Maybe Adams method will work...hope so.

[/QUOTE]

Well...I happen to have Dwain's(Longhorn294) '71 here right now, so, while I were doing some other stuff, I happened to look. There is NO rubber plug on his car, so I would think the earlier cars do not have it either. There is no hole of any kind in the area behind the hood latch at all....dangit!

Joel is correct.  No opening to push through.  On the 70-72 cars, removal of the eggcrate side panel on the drivers side will give you access to the mechanism with small hands and long arms.  Not much help for the 68-69 though.

JUST GOT IT OPEN !!!!!  Thanks for all the input, this is one great forum. This is what I have learned ... I found that both my 68's have a plastic plug on the passenger side. I also found that hole did nothing for me, I just could not get any thing to pop that latch, the wiper works really get in the way. No hole on the drivers side. I took the advice of " study a open car " and found that since the wiper cover was off this car, I could stick a long thin but stiff screwdriver under the hood and pop the latch. Once I knew where to push, it was pretty easy. Thanks again for the help, one somewhat local member even offered to come over to help from under the car! Open hood Bruce in Mount Airy, MD

Bruce:
       Glad you got the darn thing open.....And I really would not have
minded driving down to give you a hand along with so moral support...

Having a second C3 to be able to actually see what you need to reach is a great heckp....actually looking at my 72 enabled me to figure out what I needed to "farbrcate" to get to the latch...when my 76s' hood played the " I anin't gona open today game"... The 72 was easy since I could remove the side grill and reach the latch ...

Anyhow... Glade you got it done...!!!!!!

BTW....Frederick County Corvette Club is holding their annual Corvette Show this weekend by the Giant on the Golden Mile...Stop
by an check out a few Corvettes...fun judging only !

Bob G.