1968 · Mercury · United States
1968 Mercury 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.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
For 1968 the Cyclone moved onto the new Montego-based intermediate body, offered as a fastback and a notchback hardtop. Over-Drive Magazine's compilation gives 12,260 Cyclone fastbacks against only 1,368 hardtops, headlining that the fastback outsold the hardtop roughly ten to one; Wikipedia's own relay of Holder and Kunz gives 13,628 for the year, exactly equal to the two compiled figures added together, though whether that shared lineage also includes a separate Cyclone GT count is not stated. Over-Drive's own table notes that GT production is folded into these same fastback and hardtop rows rather than broken out separately; a further Wikipedia row reading 6,439 "Spoilers" for 1968 conflicts with the rest of the lineup and is not used in this record.1,2
The 428 Cobra Jet became available mid-year, rated 335 hp at 5,600 rpm and 445 lb-ft at 3,400 rpm. A hydraulic-lifter 427 rated 390 hp at 5,600 rpm and 460 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm was advertised with automatic transmission only, but the fact sheet states outright that it was never actually produced in mid-size Mercurys; this record carries that as a sourced zero, a documented non-existence rather than a production gap still to be filled.1
The 302 four-barrel, optional, is rated 230 hp at 4,800 rpm and 310 lb-ft at 2,800 rpm. The 390 GT four-barrel, optional, is rated 335 hp at 4,800 rpm and 427 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm, the same peak horsepower the never-produced 427 would have carried at a different rpm and torque figure. No transmission other than a 4-speed manual, geared 2.78, 1.93, 1.36, and 1.00 with the 390 four-barrel, was found in an accessible documented source for the year.1
Factory prices ran $2,768 for both the Cyclone hardtop and fastback and $3,207 for both the Cyclone GT hardtop and fastback, the hardtop and fastback sharing an identical price within each trim level. Among priced options, bucket seats ran $110.15, a tachometer $48, and an AM/FM stereo radio $184.95; wire wheel covers ran $50.75 with the GT or Hardtop group against $72.05 without, and styled steel wheels ran $96.36 with the GT or Hardtop group against $117.65 without, so several items were themselves cheaper specifically because a Cyclone already carried other equipment. A reflective tape stripe was $16.85, an appearance special equipment group $64.85, and a decor group's deluxe wheel covers ran $42.11 with that same special appearance group against $60.95 without it, on the hardtop specifically.3,1
Fifteen exterior colors were charted, from Calypso Coral and Fawn through Saxony, Wellington Blue, and Grecian Gold, each with its own single-character brochure code. The Cyclone measured a 116.0-inch wheelbase (113.0 in for wagons) and 76.0 in wide, with a fastback height of 53.5 in, F70-14 tires standard on GT models (FR70-14 optional), and shipping weights of 3,208/3,254 lb for the Cyclone hardtop/fastback and 3,479/3,525 lb for the Cyclone GT hardtop/fastback, the GT running roughly 270 lb heavier than the equivalent plain Cyclone body in each case. No interior trim or upholstery listing, and no performance-test or identification data, was found in an accessible documented source for the year, so those sections carry nothing further in this record.1,3
Fact sheet · 1968 · United States
The numbers
1968 Mercury 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.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-22.
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.
Key facts
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyclone, all bodies2 Cyclone (incl. GT) · as published Equals the sum of the two compiled body rows below; lineage may be shared. | 13,628 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyclone 2-door fastback1 Cyclone (incl. GT) · 2-door fastback · as published Whether Cyclone GT fastbacks are included is not stated. | 12,260 | sold, model-year | Reported |
| Cyclone 2-door hardtop1 Cyclone (incl. GT) · 2-door hardtop · as published Source: only 1,368 total hardtops were sold. | 1,368 | sold, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 427 V8 installations in mid-size Mercurys1 427 4V 390 hp · automatic · as published A sourced zero: the page says the listed engine was never produced. | 0 | built, model-year | Reported |
Rows are separately scoped; do not add them unless a note says they partition a total.
No sourced split of Cyclone GT versus Cyclone, or of 428 Cobra Jet installations, was found. A Wikipedia row reading 6,439 Spoilers for 1968 conflicts with the line-up and is not used.
Over-Drive's 1968 table says Cyclone GT production is included in the regular Cyclone rows (1,368 hardtops, 12,260 fastbacks); no separate GT count was found.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Cyclone 2-door hardtop (65F)3 | $2,768 | factory price as tabulated by Over-Drive Magazine (Standard Catalog-style table; basis not stated), 1968 model year |
| Cyclone 2-door fastback hardtop (63F)3 | $2,768 | factory price as tabulated by Over-Drive Magazine (Standard Catalog-style table; basis not stated), 1968 model year |
| Cyclone GT 2-door hardtop (65J)3 | $3,207 | factory price as tabulated by Over-Drive Magazine (Standard Catalog-style table; basis not stated), 1968 model year |
| Cyclone GT 2-door fastback hardtop (63J)3 | $3,207 | factory price as tabulated by Over-Drive Magazine (Standard Catalog-style table; basis not stated), 1968 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 302 V8 4-bbl1 302 cu in · 4-barrel | 230 hp @ 4,800, 310 lb-ft @ 2,800 (SAE gross) | optional | Not yet sourced |
| 390 GT V8 4-bbl1 390 cu in · 4-barrel | 335 hp @ 4,800, 427 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross) | optional, GT | Not yet sourced |
| 428 Cobra Jet 4-bbl1 428 cu in · 4-barrel | 335 hp @ 5,600, 445 lb-ft @ 3,400 (SAE gross) | optional from mid-year | Not yet sourced |
| 427 V8 4-bbl (hydraulic lifter)1 427 cu in · 4-barrel | 390 hp @ 5,600, 460 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross) | advertised with automatic only; never produced | 01 Reported |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 4-speed manual1 | optional; 390 4-bbl ratios 2.78, 1.93, 1.36, 1.00 | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bucket seats1 | $110.15 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tachometer1 | $48 | Not yet sourced |
|
Styled steel wheels (with GT group)1 | $96.36 | Not yet sourced |
|
Appearance special equipment group1 | $64.85 | Not yet sourced |
|
Reflective tape stripe1 | $16.85 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power steering1 | $95 | Not yet sourced |
|
AM/FM stereo radio1 | $184.95 | Not yet sourced |
|
Appearance protection group. Includes vinyl twin front and rear floor mats, door edge guards and license plate frames, for two-doors, ($25.28); for four-doors ($29.17)1 | $25.28 | Not yet sourced |
|
Bench seat, Comfort weave vinyl1 | $24.47 | Not yet sourced |
|
Deluxe steering wheel for Montego MX four-door Sedans and two-door hardtop1 | $77.80 | Not yet sourced |
|
Decor group. Includes wheel lip moldings: right upper door frames for four-door only; unique lower back panel applique; Deluxe wheel covers for hardtop only, for hardtop with special appearance equipment group ($42.11); for hardtop without ($60.95); for Sedans ($54.45)1 | $42.11 | Not yet sourced |
|
Deluxe steering wheel1 | $13.90 | Not yet sourced |
|
Dual rear seat speakers1 | $26 | Not yet sourced |
|
Electric clock sports console1 | $50 | Not yet sourced |
|
Four-Way power bench seat1 | $62.45 | Not yet sourced |
|
Four-Way power bucket seats1 | $62.45 | Not yet sourced |
|
Head rests1 | $42.75 | Not yet sourced |
|
Heavy-duty battery1 | $7.44 | Not yet sourced |
|
Oxford (vinyl) roof on two-door hardtop ($94.55); on four-door Sedans ($94.55)1 | $94.55 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power disc front brakes1 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Power windows1 | $100.10 | Not yet sourced |
|
Radio, AM with antenna1 | $61.40 | Not yet sourced |
|
AM/FM radio stereo with antenna1 | $184.95 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rear window defogger1 | $21.25 | Not yet sourced |
|
Remote control left-hand mirror1 | $9.60 | Not yet sourced |
|
Seat belts, deluxe and seat belt reminder light. Includes: Deluxe front seat shoulder belts and color-keyed webbing with black webbing on Convertible1 | $29.61 | Not yet sourced |
|
Seat shoulder belts1 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted glass1 | $35.05 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted windshield1 | $21.09 | Not yet sourced |
|
Two-tone paint1 | $30.96 | Not yet sourced |
|
Ventilation system1 | $15.60 | Not yet sourced |
|
Visual check group. Includes: low fuel, parking brake and door ajar warning lights1 | $32.45 | Not yet sourced |
|
Wheel covers, deluxe1 | $21.29 | Not yet sourced |
|
Wheel covers, deluxe with spinners1 | $20.10 | Not yet sourced |
|
Wheel covers, standard1 | $41.40 | Not yet sourced |
|
Wheel covers, wire with GT group or Hardtop group ($50.75); without ($72.05)1 | $50.75 | Not yet sourced |
|
Wheels, Styled steel with GT or Hardtop group ($96.36); others ($117.65)1 | $96.36 | Not yet sourced |
|
Windshield wipers, 2-speed interval selector1 | $14.19 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
3 |
Calypso Coral1 | Not yet sourced |
6 |
Fawn1 | Not yet sourced |
A |
Onyx1 | Not yet sourced |
B |
Black Cherry1 | Not yet sourced |
D |
Nordic Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
F |
Madras Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
I |
Lime Frost1 | Not yet sourced |
M |
Polar White1 | Not yet sourced |
N |
Diamond Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
O |
Seafoam Green1 | Not yet sourced |
Q |
Glacier Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
R |
Augusta Green1 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Cardinal Red1 | Not yet sourced |
U |
Caribbean Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
W |
Saxony1 | Not yet sourced |
X |
Wellington Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
Y |
Grecian Gold1 | 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.
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase1 | 116 in | all except wagons (113.0) |
| Overall width1 | 76 in | all |
| Overall height, fastback1 | 53.5 in | fastback |
| Tires, GT models1 | F70-14 size | GT; FR70-14 optional |
| Shipping weight, Cyclone hardtop / fastback3 | 3,208 / 3,254 lb | Over-Drive table |
| Shipping weight, Cyclone GT hardtop / fastback3 | 3,479 / 3,525 lb | Over-Drive table |
Identification
Read a 1968 Mercury VIN
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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 Thunderbird The new 429 Thunder Jet V-8 arrived as the Thunderbird's optional engine at 360 hp.
- 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 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.