1968 Ford Thunderbird Specifications

1968 would be the last year Thunderbird utilized the 390 Special V-8 engine. In fact, there are many who don't believe ANY 390's were installed in Thunderbirds after the 1967 model year. We have identified several 1968 models with 390 engine installations over the years, and while they appeared to be original, we did not verify that they were factory installed by checking VIN tags or stampings on the cars. One 1968 Thunderbird Fordor Landau has been verified as having the 390 installed at the factory, but this is the only one so far.

Introduced as standard equipment for the 1961 model year, the 390 faithfully served the Thunderbird, as well as many other Ford models, throughout the sixties. The 390 would live on, for a few more years, in the engine bays of other cars, such as the Galaxie 500 and LTD, but would never again serve duty in a Thunderbird engine bay. Emission control equipment, in its infancy in 1968, would rob engines of considerable power. The Thunderbird was also getting quite heavy at this point, as more of them were loaded up with extra luxuries such as air conditioning and power windows and seats. Performance was really beginning to suffer due to these reasons, and the competition was providing more cubic inches and more horsepower, which required that T-Bird do the same. It is for this reason, among others, that the new Thunder Jet 429 became standard equipment on January 1, 1968. Ironically, even the powerful 429 would have a short relationship with the Thunderbird, as the car continued to grow longer and heavier in the seventies. The 429's sister, the 460 (originally designed for the Lincoln Division), would be made available as an option for the 1972 model year, and would be standard by 1974, just in time for the gas shortages that struck the United States in October 1973, shortly after the 1974 model year introduction.

Soon after, smaller cars with smaller engines and better fuel efficiency would forever change the American landscape.


Specifications
New Thunder for the Bird: Powerful Thunder Jet 429 has 360 horses, more power than ever before—to flash you from where you are, to where you're going!		1968 Thunderbird

ENGINE CODES Z N	Thunderbird 390 Special V-8 (315 Horsepower) (Standard until January 1, 1968, then discontinued) 4-Barrel Autolite 4300 Carburetor/Dual Exhaust System Thunder Jet 429 V-8 (360 Horsepower) (Optional until January 1, 1968, then added as standard equipment) 4-Barrel Autolite 4300 Carburetor/Dual Exhaust System

TRANSMISSION CODE U	SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic (Automatic, 3-Speed)

REAR AXLE CODES 0 3 5 C E	2.50:1 2.80:1 3.00:1 2.80:1 Limited Slip 3.00:1 Limited Slip

WHEELBASE	114.7 Inches (Two Door) 117.2 Inches (Four Door)

Two Door Length Width Height Weight	206.9 Inches 77.3 Inches 52.6 Inches 4,366 (Hardtop) 4,372 (Landau)		360 Horses Requires Additional Stopping Power New "Floating Caliper" Power Front Disc Brakes were an improvement over 1967. They were fast cooling, simpler in design, easier to service, and provided a high resistance to fade. Never before had the Thunderbird had such powerful and dependable brakes. Automotive pundits of the time rated the T-Bird's brakes as among the very best available on any car, regardless of make, model, or price.

Four Door Length Width Height Weight	209.4 Inches 77.3 Inches 53.4 Inches 4,458

SUSPENSION Front Tread Rear Tread Steering Ratio Turning Diameter	62 Inches 62 Inches 21.9 to 1 42 Feet

Farewell To the 390 Special V-8 1968 would be the last year Thunderbird utilized the 390 Special V-8 engine. In fact, there are many who don't believe ANY 390's were installed in Thunderbirds after the 1967 model year. We have identified several 1968 models with 390 engine installations over the years, and while they appeared to be original, we did not verify that they were factory installed by checking VIN tags or stampings on the cars. One 1968 Thunderbird Fordor Landau has been verified as having the 390 installed at the factory, but this is the only one so far. Introduced as standard equipment for the 1961 model year, the 390 faithfully served the Thunderbird, as well as many other Ford models, throughout the sixties. The 390 would live on, for a few more years, in the engine bays of other cars, such as the Galaxie 500 and LTD, but would never again serve duty in a Thunderbird engine bay. Emission control equipment, in its infancy in 1968, would rob engines of considerable power. The Thunderbird was also getting quite heavy at this point, as more of them were loaded up with extra luxuries such as air conditioning and power windows and seats. Performance was really beginning to suffer due to these reasons, and the competition was providing more cubic inches and more horsepower, which required that T-Bird do the same. It is for this reason, among others, that the new Thunder Jet 429 became standard equipment on January 1, 1968. Ironically, even the powerful 429 would have a short relationship with the Thunderbird, as the car continued to grow longer and heavier in the seventies. The 429's sister, the 460 (originally designed for the Lincoln Division), would be made available as an option for the 1972 model year, and would be standard by 1974, just in time for the gas shortages that struck the United States in October 1973, shortly after the 1974 model year introduction. Soon after, smaller cars with smaller engines and better fuel efficiency would forever change the American landscape.

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