1968 Ford Mustang

Description

The three body styles continued for 1968, the fastback, the coupe, and the convertible.

Minor modification for 1968 included a modified grill and different side trim. Front and rear side marker lights were added, and the horizontal chrome bars were removed from the grill again. The "Mustang" name plate on the front fenders was now in script form rather than separate letters.

A new "C-shaped" side stripe was optional for 1968, and there was a new design for the steel wheels which were available in painted silver or chrome.

1968 saw the introduction of the 428 Cobra Jet engine rated at 335 horsepower and 440 ft-lbs of torque. It had ram air and a functioning hood scoop. The 302 small block, rated at 230 hp, was also new this year, and would replace the 289 by the end of the year.

1968 Shelby Cobra Mustang

For 1968, the Shelby Mustangs were renamed the Shelby Cobra GT-350 and the Shelby Cobra GT-500. For the first time they used cobra snake badges. There was now also a convertible Shelby version. The GT-350 was powered by a 250 hp 302 cu in V-8 this year, replacing the old 289.

The Shelby hood scoop had air intakes closer to the front than in 1967. Driving lights were now rectangular, but still mounted in the grill. 1968 Shelbys used Thunderbird tail lights that flashed sequentially like a chaser light.

In midyear the GT-500 was upgraded to the GT-500KR (King of the Road) which was powered by the new 428 Cobra Jet, rated at 350 horepower in the Shelby.

1968 Key Differences

The easiest way to tell a 1968 Mustang from a 1967 is that '68's have side marker lights. The chrome horizontal bars were removed from the grill, and the non-functioning rear fender side scoop now had a single thin chrome strip instead of the two grills.

Similar Years

1967 and 1968 Mustangs have the same body and are quite similar, but the different grill and side marker lights set them apart.

How to Identify a 1968 Mustang

Overview

• Second version (1967 - 1968) of the First Generation Mustang (1965 - 1973)
• Coupe body style shown (with black vinyl roof)
• The '68 Mustang was available in coupe, convertible, and fastback forms (1965-1973)

1968 Mustang GT Convertible

• The convertible Mustang came with a soft top, and a folding glass rear window was available (as shown)

1968 Mustang Grill Horse Emblem

• The rectangular "corral" surrounding the running horse was much flatter this year (1968)
• The horizontal bars in the center of the grill were removed (1968)

1968 Mustang Grill Mesh

• The grill had a small, rectangular grid pattern (1967 - 1968)

1968 Mustang GT Grill

• The GT Mustang had an extra set of driving lights mounted in the grill (1965 - 1968)

1968 Mustang Side Marker Light

• Front and rear side marker lights were new for the 1968 Mustang (1968 - 1973)

1968 Mustang Side Louvers

• The lower side panel indentation had a thin chrome strip as trim (1968)

1968 Mustang C-Stripe

• An optional "C" shaped side stripe was available for 1968 only (1968)

1968 Mustang GT Gas Cap

• GT Mustangs had a pop-open gas cap (1967 - 1968)

1968 Mustang C-Pillar side Louvers

• The side louvers used the same design as last year (1967 - 1968)

1968 Mustang Tail lights

• The rear panel of the Mustang was again concave (1967 - 1969)
• The tail lights were also concave, the same as last year (1967-68)
• The lights consisted of three separate light units on each side (1967-70)

1968 Mustang Back Up Light

• Round back-up lights were mounted beneath the tail lights and bumper (1965 - 1970)

1968 Mustang Dash

• The dash retained the same layout as in 1967 (1967 - 1968)

1968 Mustang Fender Emblem

• The Mustang nameplate on the side of the car was written in script form (1968 - 1973)

1968 Mustang GT Badge

• The Mustang GT Badge was unique for this year (1968)

1968 Mustang Steel Wheel

• The new steel wheels were available in chrome or silver painted (shown) (1968 - 1969)

1968 Shelby Cobra GT 500

• The GT-500 Shelby Cobra came equipped with the 428 cid engine (1967 - 1968)

1968 Shelby Cobra Hood

• The Shelby Cobra had air intakes almost at the front of the hood this year (1968)

1968 Shelby Cobra Driving Lights

• Driving lights mounted in the grill were now rectangular (1968)

1968 Shelby Cobra Decklid Spoiler

• The fiberglass trunk lid had a built-in spoiler (1967 - 1968 for this style)

1968 Shelby Cobra Snake Emblem

• The cobra snake emblems mounted on the side of the car were new and unique to this year (1968)

1968 Shelby Cobra Brake Scoop

• On Shelby Cobras, a brake scoop was mounted below the belt-line just behind the doors (1966 - 1970)

1968 Shelby Cobra Upper Scoop

• On fastback Shelby Cobras there was also an upper scoop mounted on the C-pillar behind the door window (1967 - 1968)

1968 Shelby Cobra GT 500 Interior

• The Shelby Cobra interior was basically the same as regular Mustangs and had a simulated wood-grain dash (1968)

1968 Shelby Cobra GT 500

• The fuel gap on the Shelby Cobra had a snake emblem

1968 Shelby Cobra Tail Light

• Unique to 1968, Shelby Cobras used tail lights from the Thunderbird that flashed sequentially like a chaser light (1968)

1968 Shelby Cobra Wheel

• Aluminum rims were available for the Shelby Cobra

More 1968 Mustang Pictures

For more photos of vintage 1968 Mustangs, visit the First Generation Mustang Gallery at the Muscle Car Jungle.

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