1968 · Plymouth · United States
Two Formula S Packages, One Race-Only Hemi
The new 340 arrived in the Formula S alongside the 383, and Plymouth issued a competition-only Hemi Barracuda under order code BO29.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
The 1968 Barracuda continued in the same three bodies, hardtop coupe, fastback, and convertible, but split the Formula S package into two versions: the 340-S built around the new 340 V8, and the 383-S built around the existing 383. Car Life's December 1967 test of the 340-S described the 340 as a 275-hp engine with larger valves and a new four-barrel manifold, running 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds with a TorqueFlite. Separately, Plymouth issued a limited run of Hemi Barracuda fastbacks under order code BO29 for supervised drag racing only, finished through Hurst, a competition package entirely distinct from the street-going 340-S and 383-S.1,2
Model-year production is printed as 45,412 by Chilton's trade tables and several books, 22,575 fastbacks, 19,997 hardtops, and 2,840 convertibles, while Sessler's production table instead totals 40,497; this record leads with the trade figure and shows Sessler's total as a differently scoped count, since his body-by-cylinder rows are column-scrambled in the source consulted and are not transcribed here. The BO29 Hemi cars carry their own separate dispute: NHRA's account gives 50 built, while DodgeGarage's reproduction of the factory's Hurst-conversion program gives 72; the dealer announcement itself, reproduced from February 20, 1968, promises only "limited quantities" without a number, so this record shows both retrospective figures rather than picking one. Neither BO29 total is assumed to sit inside or outside the 45,412 street-car count, since the cars were race-only and built under a separate order code.3,4,5,6,2
Four engines were catalogued: the 225 six at 145 hp, a 318 two-barrel V8 rated 230 hp at 4,400 rpm and 340 lb-ft at 2,400 rpm, the new 340 four-barrel in the 340-S rated 275 hp at 5,000 rpm and 340 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm on a Carter AVS carburetor, and the existing 383 four-barrel in the 383-S rated 300 hp at 4,400 rpm and 400 lb-ft at 2,400 rpm. The 340 and 318 share an identical 340 lb-ft torque peak despite the 340's substantially higher horsepower and rpm, a coincidence of the two ratings rather than an error, since both figures come from the same Over-Drive engine table read independently by displacement.4,1
The 340-S package itself ran $212 and the 383-S ran $251, each priced as the Formula S package on top of the base car rather than as a separate charge for the larger engine alone. The Basic Group of AM radio, power steering, mirror, and wipers cost $164 without the 383 but dropped to $80 with it, since the 383 dropped power steering from the group's own content. Air conditioning ran $335, front disc brakes $73, and a Decor Group of luxury bucket and bench seating with wood-grain door trim was cataloged in the brochure without a listed price; the four-speed manual and TorqueFlite carried their own separate charges, TorqueFlite running $199 to $227 depending on engine.4
Car Life's 340-S test car, at a 3,840 lb test weight with TorqueFlite, a 3.23:1 Sure-Grip axle, air conditioning, power steering, and front disc brakes, ran the standing quarter-mile in 14.97 seconds at a 95.4 mph trap speed alongside its 7.0-second 0-60 run. The same test car's specifications sheet gives the 108-inch wheelbase and 192.8-inch overall length shared with the redesigned platform, though these dimensions come from the road test rather than from a separate factory specifications page in the sources consulted for 1968. Series and body codes ran DB1-H (six) and DB2-H (V8) across bodies BH23 (hardtop coupe), BH29 (fastback), and BH27 (convertible).1,4
Fact sheet · 1968 · United States
The numbers
1968 Plymouth Barracuda — The new 340 arrived in the Formula S alongside the 383, and Plymouth issued a competition-only Hemi Barracuda under order code BO29.
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.
Key facts
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| All 1968 Barracudas3,8,7,4 not stated | 45,412 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| All 1968 Barracudas (Sessler)5 not stated Body-by-cylinder rows in the snippet are column-scrambled and are not transcribed. | 40,497 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barracuda fastback (BH29)4 Barracuda · fastback · six and V8 · not stated | 22,575 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Barracuda hardtop coupe (BH23)4 Barracuda · hardtop coupe · six and V8 · not stated | 19,997 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Barracuda convertible (BH27)4 Barracuda · convertible · six and V8 · not stated | 2,840 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| BO29 Hemi Barracuda (NHRA figure)6 BO29 Super Stock package (race-only) · fastback · 426 Hemi · not stated Race-only, factory-authorized conversion; not a street configuration. Over-Drive also says fifty. | 50 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| BO29 Hemi Barracuda (DodgeGarage figure)2 BO29 Super Stock package (race-only) · fastback · 426 Hemi · not stated | 72 | built, model-year | Disputed |
Rows are separately scoped; do not add them. BO29 cars are race-only and are not assumed to be inside or outside the 45,412.
No 340-S or 383-S installation counts were found.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Barracuda hardtop, six4 | $2,579 | factory price as reported, 1968 model year |
| Barracuda hardtop, V84 | $2,685 | factory price as reported, 1968 model year |
| Barracuda fastback, six4 | $2,736 | factory price as reported, 1968 model year |
| Barracuda fastback, V84 | $2,842 | factory price as reported, 1968 model year |
| Barracuda convertible, six4 | $2,907 | factory price as reported, 1968 model year |
| Barracuda convertible, V84 | $3,013 | factory price as reported, 1968 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 225 Six4 225 cu in · 1-barrel | 145 hp @ 4,000, 215 lb-ft @ 2,400 (as listed by Over-Drive (standard not stated)) | standard | Not yet sourced |
| 318 V84 318 cu in · 2-barrel | 230 hp @ 4,400, 340 lb-ft @ 2,400 (as listed by Over-Drive (standard not stated)) | optional | Not yet sourced |
| 340 V8 4-bbl (340-S)1 340 cu in · 4-barrel (Carter AVS) | 275 hp @ 5,000, 340 lb-ft @ 3,200 (gross (Car Life 'rated bhp')) | Formula S 340-S | Not yet sourced |
| 383 V8 4-bbl (383-S)4 383 cu in · 4-barrel | 300 hp @ 4,400, 400 lb-ft @ 2,400 (as listed by Over-Drive (standard not stated)) | Formula S 383-S | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3-speed manual4 | standard | Not yet sourced |
| 4-speed manual4 | optional | Not yet sourced |
| TorqueFlite automatic4 | optional ($199-$227 by engine) | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Formula S with 340 (340-S)4 | $212 | Not yet sourced |
|
Formula S with 383 (383-S)4 | $251 | Not yet sourced |
BO29order code |
Hemi Barracuda for supervised acceleration trials (competition only)2 | — | Unknown6,2 Disputed |
|
Air conditioning4 | $335 | Not yet sourced |
|
Basic Group: AM radio, power steering, remote-control outside mirror, variable-speed wipers and electric washers (without 383)4 | $164 | Not yet sourced |
|
Basic Group, with 383 V8 (no power steering)4 | $80 | Not yet sourced |
|
Bumper guards4 | $23 | Not yet sourced |
|
Console (with bucket seats; not with 3-speed)4 | $51 | Not yet sourced |
|
Custom sill moldings4 | $21 | Not yet sourced |
|
Deluxe wiper and washer package4 | $10 | Not yet sourced |
|
Fast-ratio manual steering4 | $14 | Not yet sourced |
|
Front disc brakes4 | $73 | Not yet sourced |
|
Heavy-duty suspension package4 | $14 | Not yet sourced |
|
Paint accent stripes4 | $15 | Not yet sourced |
|
Performance gauge cluster (without clock or tachometer)4 | $16 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power brakes4 | $44 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power steering4 | $84 | Not yet sourced |
|
AM radio4 | $60 | Not yet sourced |
|
AM radio with stereo tape4 | $195 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rallye Cluster: trip odometer, 150-mph speedometer, wood-grained dash trim4 | $6 | Not yet sourced |
|
Remote-control outside rear-view mirror4 | $7 | Not yet sourced |
|
Special buffed paint4 | $18 | Not yet sourced |
|
Sport paint stripes4 | $20 | Not yet sourced |
|
Steering wheel with full horn ring4 | $9 | Not yet sourced |
|
Steering wheel, wood-grained sport type4 | $27 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tachometer (V8 only)4 | $51 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted glass, all windows4 | $28 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted windshield only4 | $14 | Not yet sourced |
|
Undercoating with hood pad4 | $16 | Not yet sourced |
|
Vinyl roof (hardtop only)4 | $79 | Not yet sourced |
|
Wheel covers, bolt-on design4 | $45 | Not yet sourced |
|
Wheel covers, Deluxe4 | $22 | Not yet sourced |
|
Wheel covers, wire4 | $67 | Not yet sourced |
|
Wheelhouse liners (except convertible)4 | $47 | Not yet sourced |
|
Heavy-duty alternator4 | $15 | Not yet sourced |
|
Sure-Grip positive-traction rear axle4 | $45 | Not yet sourced |
|
'68 Barracuda Decor Group: luxury bucket front seats, luxury bench rear seat, simulated wood-grain appliqué on door and quarter trim panels (map pockets on doors), rear armrests with bright bases and ashtrays (hardtop and fastback), carpeted wheel housings (fastback), pedal dress-up | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Rallye Cluster Group: wood-grain appliqué across the instrument panel, specially calibrated speedometer, trip odometer | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Accent stripes (available in 5 colors) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Vacuum performance gauge (not with tachometer or electric clock) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Head restraints | — | Not yet sourced |
|
FM/AM radio | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Stereo 8 tape cartridge player | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Wire-wheel covers, 'Mag' wheel covers, exposed lug-nut sport covers or deluxe covers (four choices) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Red or white streak Super Wide Oval tires | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Electric clock | — | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
A |
Silver4 | Not yet sourced |
B |
Black4 | Not yet sourced |
E |
Midnight Blue4 | Not yet sourced |
F |
Mist Green4 | Not yet sourced |
G |
Forest Green4 | Not yet sourced |
J |
Ember Gold4 | Not yet sourced |
L |
Surf Turquoise4 | Not yet sourced |
M |
Turbine Bronze4 | Not yet sourced |
P |
Matador Red4 | Not yet sourced |
Q |
Electric Blue4 | Not yet sourced |
R |
Burgundy4 | Not yet sourced |
S |
Sunfire Yellow4 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Avocado Green4 | Not yet sourced |
U |
Frost Blue4 | Not yet sourced |
W |
White4 | Not yet sourced |
X |
Satin Beige4 | Not yet sourced |
Y |
Sierra Tan4 | Not yet sourced |
Z |
Hawaiian Blue4 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Standard all-vinyl front bucket seats (all Barracudas), with loop-pile carpeting | Not yet sourced |
|
'Sportseat' front bench seat with fold-down center armrest, a no-cost option | Not yet sourced |
|
Decor Group interior: luxury bucket front seats, luxury bench rear seat, wood-grain appliqué door and quarter trim panels with door map pockets | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase1 | 108 in | all bodies |
| Overall length1 | 192.8 in | Car Life test car |
| Curb weight, 340-S test car1 | 3,470 lb | Car Life test car |
Period road tests
| Test | Car tested | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Car Life, 1967-1210-60 mph | Barracuda 340-S (spec panel says 2-door hardtop; photos show a fastback), TorqueFlite, 3.23:1 Sure-Grip, air conditioning, power steering, front disc brakes, E70-14 Goodyear Speedway Wide Tread; 3,840 lb test weightTwo aboard with test gear | 7 s |
| Car Life, 1967-121standing quarter-mile | Barracuda 340-S, TorqueFlite, 3.23:195.4 mph trap speed | 14.97 s |
A road test result belongs to the one car that was tested, with its engine, gearing, tires, and conditions. It is not a figure for every car of the year.
Identification
- Series and body codes (as reported)
- Series DB1-H (six) and DB2-H (V8); bodies BH23 hardtop coupe, BH29 fastback, BH27 convertible.4
Where the sources disagree
Total 1968 production
Lead with the period trade figure; show the Sessler lineage as a differently scoped count.
Identification
Read a 1968 Plymouth 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 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 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 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.