badjuju342
07-23-2006, 04:20 AM
63A 2dr fastback
33,585
63B 2dr fastback Deluxe
7,661
63C 2dr fastback bench seats
1,079
63D 2dr fastback Deluxe bench seats
256
65A 2dr hardtop
233,472
65B 2dr hardtop Deluxe
9,009
65C 2dr hardtop bench seats
6,113
65D 2dr hardtop Deluxe bench seats
853
76A Convertible
22,037
76B Convertible Deluxe
3,339
TOTAL
317,404
The 1968 Mustang received minor grille and trim changes to set it off from the
1967 model. Most obvious was the deletion of the horizontal grille bars and the
deletion of the fake side scoops. New were the two side marker lights, thereby putting
the Mustang in compliance with new government safety rules. Also new, in terms of
safety was the use of a collapsible steering column.
In the interior, a redesigned steering wheel was used along with different upholstery
patterns. Mustangs equipped with the optional Interior Decor Group got imitation
wood appliqués on the dash, steering wheel and doors. Small detail changes included
locking seat backs for the front buckets and the mounting of the inside rearview
mirror was now on the windshield.
The previously optional 289 c.i. 225hp V-8 was replaced by a 302 c.i. version rated at 230 HP. Increased displacement was achieved by increasing the stroke of the 289 from 2.87 inches to 3.00 inches. The 2 barrel carburetor 289 (rated at 195 hp for 1968) was replaced mid-year by a 2 barrel 302 rated at 210 hp. Thus both 289 and 302 V-8 powered Mustangs were available in 1968.
The base engine, the 200 c.i. six, remained unchanged while the 390 c.i. V-8 was rated at 325 hp., an increase of 5hp. Top engine option, was a version of Ford's famous 427 c.i. V-8. Featuring a Holley 600 cfm carburetor and available only with an automatic transmission, it was rated at 390 hp, quite a bit more than the 390 c.i. V-8. Few were sold as it was an expensive-$622.00- option. It was deleted from the option list in December 1967.
To counter criticism that the Mustang couldn't hold its own against more powerful competitors, Ford, on April 1, 1968 Ford introduced a special version of the 428 c.i. V-8 for use in the Mustang, known as the 428 Cobra Jet. The Cobra Jet 428 was basically a production 428 V-8 but it was modified to produce more power. Rated at 335 hp, it actually produced more than 400hp. Available only with the GT Equipment Group, 428 CJ Mustangs also came with functional Ram Air, power front disc brakes and staggered rear shocks for 4-speed transmission cars (http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/muscle/mustang/f68mcont.frame#). The C-6 three speed automatic was also available. A total of 2,253 fastbacks and 564 hardtops were built along with an unknown small number of convertibles. Goodyear Polyglas F70x14 tires made their debut on the 428CJ Mustangs.
The GT Equipment Group was still available on the 230/325/390 hp Mustangs. Differences from the previous year were the new 14" styled steel wheels, (chromed or painted argent) with GT hubcaps, a new pop-open GT gas cap, new side "C" stripes and new quarter panel GT emblems. There was no separate GTA designation to differentiate automatic transmission equipped GTs.
Unique for 1968 was the California Special, the GT/CS . It was a special trim package available on hardtops only, for dealers in California. It used a Shelby Mustang rear deck lid with integral spoiler, sequential taillights and Shelby, non-functional side scoops. The Mustang ornament was deleted from the blacked-out grille opening, special side stripes, styled steel wheels and Lucas or Marchal fog lamps completed the package. The GT/CS could be optioned with any Mustang V-8 engine. These could be had with any regular production Mustang engine. About 5000 were built.
Similar to the California Special was the High Country Special, this time sold only by Colorado dealers. It was identical to the California GT/CS, with the only exception being the High Country Special decal taking the place of the GT/CS identification on the side scoops.
The Mustang Sprint option was still available but it was now available with V-8s as well. The Mustang Sprint option consisted of GT stripes, pop-open gas cap and the full wheel covers of six cylinder Mustangs. V-8s got in addition, the styled steel wheels with Wide Oval Tires and the GT fog lamps. This was a relatively inexpensive way for someone to emulate the looks of a fully optioned out GT.
Even though sales were declining, the addition and expansion of the Mustang's option list, along with the various Mustang specials, was evidence that Ford was trying to widen the Mustang's appeal. This niche marketing would become even more pronounced with the 1969-70 models.The GT 500 KR ('King of the Road') was introduced in 1968. The GT 350 also continued on.In 1968, a convertible option was added to the Shelby line-up, available with either a 302- or 428-cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine. The High Performance 289 cubic-inch V8 was no longer offered on the Ford or Shelby versions of the Mustang. The 302 was standard on the GT350, equipped with an aluminum intake manifold and Holley 600 CFM carburetor capable of producing 250 horsepower. 1968 also marked the year that Ford took over production of the Shelby vehicles with operations moving to Livonia, Michigan.
The styling modifications for 1968 were minor. The front of the vehicle was restyled resulting in an aggressive appearance. The headlights switched back to the single seven-inch unit configuration with Lucas fog lamps positioned inside the grill. The hood was once again a fiberglass unit with repositioned scoops and air-extraction louvers.
The 428 engine increased in horsepower by 5 over the prior year. This was the result of a single four-barrel aluminum intake manifold in place of the prior dual-carburetor setup. To honor this achievement, the GT500 equipped with the 428Cj now became known as the GT500, or King of the Road. The documentation stated the engine produced 335 horsepower when actually it was over 400 with 440 foot-pounds of torque. These were the fastest Shelby production vehicles to date and offered superb handling, braking and most of all, acceleration. Due to the extra power, the brakes were enlarged and new components such as under-hood suspension bracing and staggered rear shocks prevented wheel hop and axle wind-up.
During 1968, 4451 examples were produced. 1253 fastbacks and 404 convertibles made up the GT350 model line. The GT500 was available as a fastback or convertible. There were 1140 GT500 fastbacks and 402 GT500 convertibles produced in 1968. 1968 also saw the production of 933 GT500KR fastbacks and 318 GT500KR convertibles. Only one GT500 Notchback Prototype was produced.
In 1969 Ford ended his agreement with the Ford Motor Company. The GT350 and GT500 continued to be sold into 1970 though little was changed. The 1970 models were actually left-overs from the prior year.
In 2005 at the New York International Auto In racing, despite new competition from the Camaro, Plymouth Barracuda, and Mercury Cougar, Mustang again won the Trans Am Manufacturers' Cup. Capping the year, Shelby's GT 350 once again took the SCCA B-Production crown. Perhaps the most famous Mustang of the time was the 1968 Highland Green 390 Mustang fastback driven by Steve McQueen in the movie Bullitt. Many still consider the final chase scene to be the best ever filmed.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/reviews/generations/ford.mustang/67-68.ford.mustang.500.jpg
33,585
63B 2dr fastback Deluxe
7,661
63C 2dr fastback bench seats
1,079
63D 2dr fastback Deluxe bench seats
256
65A 2dr hardtop
233,472
65B 2dr hardtop Deluxe
9,009
65C 2dr hardtop bench seats
6,113
65D 2dr hardtop Deluxe bench seats
853
76A Convertible
22,037
76B Convertible Deluxe
3,339
TOTAL
317,404
The 1968 Mustang received minor grille and trim changes to set it off from the
1967 model. Most obvious was the deletion of the horizontal grille bars and the
deletion of the fake side scoops. New were the two side marker lights, thereby putting
the Mustang in compliance with new government safety rules. Also new, in terms of
safety was the use of a collapsible steering column.
In the interior, a redesigned steering wheel was used along with different upholstery
patterns. Mustangs equipped with the optional Interior Decor Group got imitation
wood appliqués on the dash, steering wheel and doors. Small detail changes included
locking seat backs for the front buckets and the mounting of the inside rearview
mirror was now on the windshield.
The previously optional 289 c.i. 225hp V-8 was replaced by a 302 c.i. version rated at 230 HP. Increased displacement was achieved by increasing the stroke of the 289 from 2.87 inches to 3.00 inches. The 2 barrel carburetor 289 (rated at 195 hp for 1968) was replaced mid-year by a 2 barrel 302 rated at 210 hp. Thus both 289 and 302 V-8 powered Mustangs were available in 1968.
The base engine, the 200 c.i. six, remained unchanged while the 390 c.i. V-8 was rated at 325 hp., an increase of 5hp. Top engine option, was a version of Ford's famous 427 c.i. V-8. Featuring a Holley 600 cfm carburetor and available only with an automatic transmission, it was rated at 390 hp, quite a bit more than the 390 c.i. V-8. Few were sold as it was an expensive-$622.00- option. It was deleted from the option list in December 1967.
To counter criticism that the Mustang couldn't hold its own against more powerful competitors, Ford, on April 1, 1968 Ford introduced a special version of the 428 c.i. V-8 for use in the Mustang, known as the 428 Cobra Jet. The Cobra Jet 428 was basically a production 428 V-8 but it was modified to produce more power. Rated at 335 hp, it actually produced more than 400hp. Available only with the GT Equipment Group, 428 CJ Mustangs also came with functional Ram Air, power front disc brakes and staggered rear shocks for 4-speed transmission cars (http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/muscle/mustang/f68mcont.frame#). The C-6 three speed automatic was also available. A total of 2,253 fastbacks and 564 hardtops were built along with an unknown small number of convertibles. Goodyear Polyglas F70x14 tires made their debut on the 428CJ Mustangs.
The GT Equipment Group was still available on the 230/325/390 hp Mustangs. Differences from the previous year were the new 14" styled steel wheels, (chromed or painted argent) with GT hubcaps, a new pop-open GT gas cap, new side "C" stripes and new quarter panel GT emblems. There was no separate GTA designation to differentiate automatic transmission equipped GTs.
Unique for 1968 was the California Special, the GT/CS . It was a special trim package available on hardtops only, for dealers in California. It used a Shelby Mustang rear deck lid with integral spoiler, sequential taillights and Shelby, non-functional side scoops. The Mustang ornament was deleted from the blacked-out grille opening, special side stripes, styled steel wheels and Lucas or Marchal fog lamps completed the package. The GT/CS could be optioned with any Mustang V-8 engine. These could be had with any regular production Mustang engine. About 5000 were built.
Similar to the California Special was the High Country Special, this time sold only by Colorado dealers. It was identical to the California GT/CS, with the only exception being the High Country Special decal taking the place of the GT/CS identification on the side scoops.
The Mustang Sprint option was still available but it was now available with V-8s as well. The Mustang Sprint option consisted of GT stripes, pop-open gas cap and the full wheel covers of six cylinder Mustangs. V-8s got in addition, the styled steel wheels with Wide Oval Tires and the GT fog lamps. This was a relatively inexpensive way for someone to emulate the looks of a fully optioned out GT.
Even though sales were declining, the addition and expansion of the Mustang's option list, along with the various Mustang specials, was evidence that Ford was trying to widen the Mustang's appeal. This niche marketing would become even more pronounced with the 1969-70 models.The GT 500 KR ('King of the Road') was introduced in 1968. The GT 350 also continued on.In 1968, a convertible option was added to the Shelby line-up, available with either a 302- or 428-cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine. The High Performance 289 cubic-inch V8 was no longer offered on the Ford or Shelby versions of the Mustang. The 302 was standard on the GT350, equipped with an aluminum intake manifold and Holley 600 CFM carburetor capable of producing 250 horsepower. 1968 also marked the year that Ford took over production of the Shelby vehicles with operations moving to Livonia, Michigan.
The styling modifications for 1968 were minor. The front of the vehicle was restyled resulting in an aggressive appearance. The headlights switched back to the single seven-inch unit configuration with Lucas fog lamps positioned inside the grill. The hood was once again a fiberglass unit with repositioned scoops and air-extraction louvers.
The 428 engine increased in horsepower by 5 over the prior year. This was the result of a single four-barrel aluminum intake manifold in place of the prior dual-carburetor setup. To honor this achievement, the GT500 equipped with the 428Cj now became known as the GT500, or King of the Road. The documentation stated the engine produced 335 horsepower when actually it was over 400 with 440 foot-pounds of torque. These were the fastest Shelby production vehicles to date and offered superb handling, braking and most of all, acceleration. Due to the extra power, the brakes were enlarged and new components such as under-hood suspension bracing and staggered rear shocks prevented wheel hop and axle wind-up.
During 1968, 4451 examples were produced. 1253 fastbacks and 404 convertibles made up the GT350 model line. The GT500 was available as a fastback or convertible. There were 1140 GT500 fastbacks and 402 GT500 convertibles produced in 1968. 1968 also saw the production of 933 GT500KR fastbacks and 318 GT500KR convertibles. Only one GT500 Notchback Prototype was produced.
In 1969 Ford ended his agreement with the Ford Motor Company. The GT350 and GT500 continued to be sold into 1970 though little was changed. The 1970 models were actually left-overs from the prior year.
In 2005 at the New York International Auto In racing, despite new competition from the Camaro, Plymouth Barracuda, and Mercury Cougar, Mustang again won the Trans Am Manufacturers' Cup. Capping the year, Shelby's GT 350 once again took the SCCA B-Production crown. Perhaps the most famous Mustang of the time was the 1968 Highland Green 390 Mustang fastback driven by Steve McQueen in the movie Bullitt. Many still consider the final chase scene to be the best ever filmed.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/reviews/generations/ford.mustang/67-68.ford.mustang.500.jpg