1968 · Ford · United States
1968 Ford Thunderbird: The 429 Thunder Jet Arrives
The new 429 Thunder Jet V-8 arrived as the Thunderbird's optional engine at 360 hp.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
This record's own overview states directly that the 1968 catalog lists the 390 Thunderbird Special V-8 at 315 horsepower as standard and the new 429 Thunder Jet V-8 at 360 horsepower as optional, both paired with SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic; the 429 is given as 4.36 by 3.59 inches, 10.5:1 compression, four-barrel, premium fuel and dual exhaust. This record's own dek calls the 429 the Thunderbird's optional engine at 360 horsepower directly, matching the catalog's own rating exactly.
This record's own prices section shows the 429 becoming standard partway through the year: six rows split into "before 1 January 1968" and "from 1 January 1968 (429 standard)" pairs for the Tudor Hardtop, Tudor Landau and Fordor Landau, each later price higher than its earlier counterpart by roughly $77 to $80, the Tudor Hardtop rising from $4,638.91 to $4,715.47 and the Fordor Landau from $4,847.28 to $4,923.84. This record's own overview does not itself flag this mid-year running change, leaving the price rows as the only place in this record's own text where it appears.1
This record's own overview also states that the 1968 shop manual lists engine code N as the 429 4V, and body codes 83 for the 65C hardtop, 84 for the 65D Landau and 87 for the 57C four-door Landau, figures this record's own identification section repeats in full, both sourced to the same shop-manual vehicle-identification page rather than to the catalog or the Automotive Mileposts production pages used elsewhere in this record.2
This record's own overview also states directly that Wikipedia's fifth-generation production table gives 64,391 Thunderbirds for 1968, while Automotive Mileposts instead gives 64,931, a difference this record's own note calls a transposed digit; this record's own conflicts section restates both totals formally, its own treatment note again calling the gap a likely digit transposition and confirming that Automotive Mileposts' own body-and-seat rows add to its own total. Those rows split each of the three bodies by bench or bucket seating: 4,557 bench and 5,420 bucket Tudor Hardtops, 13,924 bench and 19,105 bucket Tudor Landaus, and 17,251 bench and 4,674 bucket Fordor Landaus, a level of detail this record's own production notes say begins with 1968.3,1
This record's own options section itemizes 57 entries in total, and its own paint table carries 20 colours; its own interiors section carries 27 trims, split across bench and bucket seating to match the production section's own seat-type breakdown, a much larger interiors count than the paint table for the same year because each seating style multiplies the available colourways, all 57, 20 and 27 entries sourced to Automotive Mileposts.1
This record's own specifications section carries a single figure, a 115-inch wheelbase for two-door bodies against 117 inches for the four-door, sourced to the 1968 catalog's own printed Dimensions and Capacities page. This record's own performance and unpublished-leads sections carry no entries either, leaving the overview, production, prices and conflicts sections as this record's own richest sources for 1968, and its own key-facts and unpublished-leads sections remaining entirely empty for the year.
Fact sheet · 1968 · United States
The numbers
1968 Ford Thunderbird — The new 429 Thunder Jet V-8 arrived as the Thunderbird's optional engine at 360 hp.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Thunderbirds, 1968 model year (every series, body and engine)3 not stated by source Automotive Mileposts gives a transposed figure; see conflicts. | 64,391 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| All Thunderbirds (Automotive Mileposts)1 Thunderbird · All Thunderbirds (Automotive Mileposts) · as published Differs from the Wikipedia generation-table total above; see conflicts. | 64,931 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tudor Hardtop1 Thunderbird · Tudor Hardtop · as published | 9,977 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Tudor Landau1 Thunderbird · Tudor Landau · as published | 33,029 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Fordor Landau1 Thunderbird · Fordor Landau · as published | 21,925 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tudor Hardtop, bench seat1 Thunderbird · Tudor Hardtop, bench seat · as published | 4,557 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Tudor Hardtop, bucket seats1 Thunderbird · Tudor Hardtop, bucket seats · as published | 5,420 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Tudor Landau, bench seat1 Thunderbird · Tudor Landau, bench seat · as published | 13,924 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Tudor Landau, bucket seats1 Thunderbird · Tudor Landau, bucket seats · as published | 19,105 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Fordor Landau, bench seat1 Thunderbird · Fordor Landau, bench seat · as published | 17,251 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Fordor Landau, bucket seats1 Thunderbird · Fordor Landau, bucket seats · as published | 4,674 | built, model-year | Reported |
No citable production split by body style, engine or option was found for this year; the only production figure is the whole-line total.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Thunderbird Tudor Hardtop, before 1 January 19681 | $4,638.91 | base price as compiled by the site, 1968 model year |
| Thunderbird Tudor Hardtop, from 1 January 1968 (429 standard)1 | $4,715.47 | base price as compiled by the site, 1968 model year |
| Thunderbird Tudor Landau, before 1 January 19681 | $4,768.36 | base price as compiled by the site, 1968 model year |
| Thunderbird Tudor Landau, from 1 January 19681 | $4,844.92 | base price as compiled by the site, 1968 model year |
| Thunderbird Fordor Landau, before 1 January 19681 | $4,847.28 | base price as compiled by the site, 1968 model year |
| Thunderbird Fordor Landau, from 1 January 19681 | $4,923.84 | base price as compiled by the site, 1968 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| N · 429 Thunder Jet V-82 429 cu in · 4-barrel | 360 hp (advertised gross (pre-1972 basis; the brochure does not name the standard)) | optional | Not yet sourced |
| 390 Thunderbird Special V-8 390 cu in | 315 hp (advertised gross (pre-1972 basis; the brochure does not name the standard)) | standard | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic | standard | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Thunder Jet 429 V-8 Engine | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Limited-Slip Differential | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Heavy-Duty Battery (standard with 429 V-8) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Limited Slip Differential1 | $46.69 | Not yet sourced |
|
High Ratio Axle (Available only with 429 Engine)1 | $46.69 | Not yet sourced |
|
Heavy Duty Battery (Standard with 429 Engine)1 | $7.44 | Not yet sourced |
|
Heavy Duty Suspension1 | $27.99 | Not yet sourced |
|
White sidewall tires 8.15 x 15, 2-door without A/C1 | $43.12 | Not yet sourced |
|
White sidewall tires 8.15 x 15, 2-door with A/C1 | $43.19 | Not yet sourced |
|
Red band white sidewall tires 8.15 x 15, 2-door without A/C1 | $51.98 | Not yet sourced |
|
Red band white sidewall tires 8.15 x 15, 2-door with A/C1 | $52.04 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tires 8.45 x 15 black sidewall (2-door without A/C)1 | $18.07 | Not yet sourced |
|
White Sidewall (2 Door without A/C)1 | $61.26 | Not yet sourced |
|
Red Band White Sidewall (2 Door without A/C)1 | $70 | Not yet sourced |
|
215 R15 Radial-Ply White Sidewall (2 Door without A/C) New option for '681 | $117.64 | Not yet sourced |
|
White Sidewall (2 Door with A/C and all 4 Door) ($43.19 Red Band White Sidewall (2 Door with A/C and all 4 Door)1 | $52.04 | Not yet sourced |
|
215 R 15 Radial-Ply White Sidewall (2 Door with A/C and all 4 Door) New option for '681 | $101.30 | Not yet sourced |
|
Flight Bucket Seats/Flight Command Console New option for '681 | $64.77 | Not yet sourced |
|
Brougham interior trim: 2-door cloth and vinyl (requires Flight bucket seats)1 | $129.54 | Not yet sourced |
|
Brougham interior trim: 2- or 4-door leather and vinyl (requires Flight bucket seats)1 | $194.31 | Not yet sourced |
|
Brougham interior trim: 4-door cloth and vinyl (bench seat only)1 | $161.98 | Not yet sourced |
|
Reclining Passenger Seat1 | $41.49 | Not yet sourced |
|
Adjustable Front Headrests New option for '681 | $42.75 | Not yet sourced |
|
Front Seat Shoulder Belts (Became standard on January 1, 1968)1 | $23.38 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rear Seat Shoulder Belts1 | $23.38 | Not yet sourced |
|
Deluxe Front and Rear Seat Belts New option for '681 | $15.59 | Not yet sourced |
|
Deluxe Front Shoulder Belts1 | $18.22 | Not yet sourced |
|
Deluxe Rear Shoulder Belts1 | $18.22 | Not yet sourced |
|
Appearance Protection Group, 2-door1 | $25.28 | Not yet sourced |
|
Appearance Protection Group, 4-door1 | $29.17 | Not yet sourced |
|
Bodyside Protection Moulding1 | $45.40 | Not yet sourced |
|
Spare Tire Cover1 | $5.25 | Not yet sourced |
|
Deluxe Wheel Covers1 | $57.08 | Not yet sourced |
|
Styled Steel Wheel Covers with Chrome Lug Nuts1 | $35.70 | Not yet sourced |
|
Body Accent Stripe (Red/White/Black)1 | $13.90 | Not yet sourced |
|
Supplemental Brake Lamp New option for '681 | $33.70 | Not yet sourced |
|
Front Cornering Lamps New option for '681 | $33.70 | Not yet sourced |
|
Convenience Check Group, 2-door1 | $77.73 | Not yet sourced |
|
Convenience Check Group, 4-door1 | $101.10 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rear Lamp Monitor New option for '68)1 | $25.91 | Not yet sourced |
|
Four Note Horn New option for '68)1 | $15.59 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rear Window Defogger New option for '681 | $22.33 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted Glass--Complete1 | $47.49 | Not yet sourced |
|
SelectAire Conditioner1 | $427.07 | Not yet sourced |
|
SelectAire Conditioner with Automatic Climate Control New option for '681 | $499.22 | Not yet sourced |
|
Dual Rear Seat Speakers (AM Radio only)1 | $33.07 | Not yet sourced |
|
AM-FM Pushbutton Stereo Radio New option for '681 | $150.29 | Not yet sourced |
|
AM Pushbutton Radio/StereoSonic Tape System1 | $128.49 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power Radio Antenna1 | $28.97 | Not yet sourced |
|
Highway Pilot Speed Control (Requires Tilt-Away Steering Wheel)1 | $97.21 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tilt-Away Steering Wheel New option for '681 | $66.14 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power Deck Lid Release1 | $14.85 | Not yet sourced |
|
6-Way Power Seat (Bench or Driver's Bucket)1 | $97.32 | Not yet sourced |
|
Visor Vanity Mirror1 | $3.79 | Not yet sourced |
|
Luggage (Burgundy/Palomino/Black) (Researching Price) New option for '681 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Automatic Headlight Dimmer (Special Order)1 | $51.20 | Not yet sourced |
|
Automatic Ride Control1 | $89.94 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
A |
Raven Black1 | Not yet sourced |
B |
Royal Maroon1 | Not yet sourced |
E |
Beige Mist (Metallic)1 | Not yet sourced |
H |
Diamond Green1 | Not yet sourced |
I |
Lime Gold (Metallic)1 | Not yet sourced |
J |
Midnight Aqua (Metallic)1 | Not yet sourced |
L |
Silver Pearl (Metallic)1 | Not yet sourced |
M |
Wimbledon White1 | Not yet sourced |
N |
Diamond Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
P |
Pewter Mist (Metallic)1 | Not yet sourced |
Q |
Brittany Blue (Metallic)1 | Not yet sourced |
R |
Highland Green (Metallic)1 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Candyapple Red1 | Not yet sourced |
U |
Tahoe Turquoise (Metallic)1 | Not yet sourced |
V |
Alaska Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
W |
Meadowlark Yellow1 | Not yet sourced |
X |
Presidential Blue (Metallic)1 | Not yet sourced |
Y |
Sunlit Gold (Metallic)1 | Not yet sourced |
Z |
Oxford Gray (Metallic)1 | Not yet sourced |
6 |
Pebble Beige1 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
4A |
Black (Available all models); ALL-VINYL FULL-WIDTH FRONT SEAT1 | Not yet sourced |
4B |
Dark Blue (Available all models); ALL-VINYL FULL-WIDTH FRONT SEAT1 | Not yet sourced |
4F |
Saddle (Available all models); ALL-VINYL FULL-WIDTH FRONT SEAT1 | Not yet sourced |
4U |
Parchment (White) (Available all models); ALL-VINYL FULL-WIDTH FRONT SEAT1 | Not yet sourced |
4Y |
Nugget Gold (Available all models); ALL-VINYL FULL-WIDTH FRONT SEAT1 | Not yet sourced |
2A |
Black (Available all models); ALL-VINYL BUCKET FRONT SEATS AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
2B |
Dark Blue (Available all models); ALL-VINYL BUCKET FRONT SEATS AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
2D |
Red (2-Door Models only); ALL-VINYL BUCKET FRONT SEATS AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
2F |
Saddle (Available all models); ALL-VINYL BUCKET FRONT SEATS AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
2G |
Ivy Gold (Dark Green) (2-Door Models only); ALL-VINYL BUCKET FRONT SEATS AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
2K |
Aqua (2-Door Models only); ALL-VINYL BUCKET FRONT SEATS AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
2U |
Parchment (White) (Available all models); ALL-VINYL BUCKET FRONT SEATS AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
2Y |
Nugget Gold (Available all models); ALL-VINYL BUCKET FRONT SEATS AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
3A |
Black (4-Door only); BROUGHAM CLOTH AND VINYL FULL-WIDTH FRONT SEAT1 | Not yet sourced |
3B |
Dark Blue (4-Door only); BROUGHAM CLOTH AND VINYL FULL-WIDTH FRONT SEAT1 | Not yet sourced |
3D |
Red (4-Door only); BROUGHAM CLOTH AND VINYL FULL-WIDTH FRONT SEAT1 | Not yet sourced |
3G |
Ivy Gold (Dark Green) (4-Door only); BROUGHAM CLOTH AND VINYL FULL-WIDTH FRONT SEAT1 | Not yet sourced |
3K |
Aqua (4-Door only); BROUGHAM CLOTH AND VINYL FULL-WIDTH FRONT SEAT1 | Not yet sourced |
3Y |
Nugget Gold (4-Door only); BROUGHAM CLOTH AND VINYL FULL-WIDTH FRONT SEAT1 | Not yet sourced |
1A |
Black (2-Door models only); AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
1B |
Dark Blue (2-Door models only); AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
1D |
Red (2-Door models only); AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
1G |
Ivy Gold (Dark Green) (2-Door models only); AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
1K |
Aqua (2-Door models only); AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
1Y |
Nugget Gold (2-Door models only); AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
8A |
Black (Available all models); AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
8F |
Saddle (Available all models); AND CONSOLE1 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 115 in | two-door (117 in four-door) |
Identification
- Body serial codes
- 83 = 65C hardtop; 84 = 65D Landau; 87 = 57C four-door Landau; engine N = 429 4V.2
Where the sources disagree
Identification
Read a 1968 Ford VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1968
- AMC AMX AMC's two-seat AMX arrived mid-year on a 97-inch wheelbase. The enthusiast production table counts 6,725 cars, two-thirds of them with the 390.
- AMC Javelin AMC's first pony car, launched in September 1967 as base and SST hardtops. Production of the two combined was about 55,000.
- AMC Rebel and Rebel Machine Now badged AMC, the Rebel came in 550, 770 and SST trims and could be ordered with the 315-hp 390. It is host-car context for the 1970 Machine.
- Buick Riviera Record Riviera sales of 49,284, including 5,337 with the GS handling option.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX On the new 112 in two-door body the GS 400 was joined by a GS 350 hardtop, and a dealer-installed Stage 1 package arrived for the 400.
- Buick Wildcat 73,561 Wildcats with the 430 V-8.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The restyled Chevelle kept SS 396 as its own series and added an SS 396 El Camino: 62,785 SS 396s in three bodies.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova SS engines per the source: L48 350, L34 396 and L78 396. Enthusiast-compiled production: 183,552 cars; Super Sport 5,571.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS The first factory Super Sport El Camino: a separate SS 396 model, 13880, built 5,190 times.
- Chevrolet Impala SS Super Sport becomes an option again (RPO Z03): 36,432, plus 1,778 SS427 (RPO Z24).
- Dodge Charger The redesigned 'Coke bottle' Charger and the new R/T multiplied sales roughly sixfold over 1967.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The redesigned Coronet kept the 440-powered R/T and added the budget Super Bee coupe, a 383 car with an optional Hemi.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon The new Dart GTS brought a 275 hp 340 or a 300 hp 383, and in February Dodge released 80 Hurst-completed LO23 Hemi Darts for Super Stock drag racing; GTS production was not reported separately.
- Ford Fairlane The restyled intermediate split into Fairlane, Fairlane 500 and the new Torino series; the Fairlane 500 fastback shared the Torino GT body and the 428 Cobra Jet arrived on April 1, 1968.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT carried Torino GT trim; 1,669 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Torino Torino arrived as the new top series of the restyled Fairlane line, the Torino GT fastback became its volume performance car, and the 428 Cobra Jet was added on April 1, 1968.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone The Cyclone moved to the new Montego-based intermediate; the fastback outsold the notchback hardtop by about ten to one, and the 428 Cobra Jet arrived mid-year.
- Mercury Cougar The year of the 427 GT-E, the mid-year 428 Cobra Jet, and the XR7-G, with production down to 113,741.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 Neither the S-55 nor the Marauder model appears in the sources for 1968; no performance full-size Mercury production figure was found.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The restyled 4-4-2 became its own series, the W-31 small-block arrived, and Hurst built the first 455 Hurst/Olds: 515 cars in the tabulation.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The new 340 arrived in the Formula S alongside the 383, and Plymouth issued a competition-only Hemi Barracuda under order code BO29.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite The GTX became its own model on the restyled 1968 intermediate body, still with the 375-hp 440 standard and the Hemi at $605, and outsold its first year.
- Plymouth Road Runner Plymouth added a stripped Belvedere-based coupe and hardtop with a special 335-hp 383 as standard and the 426 Hemi as the only engine option, and sold 44,599 of them.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am The first full season: the six grew to 250 cu in, the 326 gave way to a 350, and output rose to 107,112.
- Pontiac GTO A new 112-inch-wheelbase body with an Endura nose, the sport coupe dropped, and 87,684 built.
- Pontiac Grand Prix The last full-size Grand Prix: 31,711 hardtops, with a 390 hp 428 HO at the top.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The new two-door body arrives, and a 350 HO replaces the 326 HO.