Fourth–tenth generations · Personal-luxury era · 1964–1997
1968Ford Thunderbird
Successively restyled and resized personal-luxury coupes — downsized for 1977, 1980, and again for the aero 1989 cars — before the nameplate paused after 1997. (Summarized as one block here; the sub-generations run 1964–66, 1967–71, 1972–76, 1977–79, 1980–82, 1983–88, and 1989–97.)
Photo: “1968 Ford Thunderbird, pic1” by Alf van Beem / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Start here
What do you need to know?
This page covers the whole 1968 Ford Thunderbird model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.
Complete, source-verified lineup
Find your exact 1968 Thunderbird
Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.
Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified
We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for factory body and named-series roster with source-supported engine and transmission combinations; option packages are excluded unless Ford marketed them as distinct models. Every version shown below has its own detail page.
Verified 2026-09-01 from Ford — 1968 Thunderbird shop-manual supplement, vehicle-identification section, Ford — 1968 Thunderbird factory brochure.
2-Door Hardtop (Model 65C), N-code 429 V8, C6 automatic
- Body
- 2-Door Hardtop (Model 65C)
- Engine
- N-code 429 cu in (7.0-liter) four-barrel V8
- Gearbox
- C6 dual-range automatic
- Built
- Regular production
2-Door Landau (Model 65D), N-code 429 V8, C6 automatic
- Body
- 2-Door Landau (Model 65D)
- Engine
- N-code 429 cu in (7.0-liter) four-barrel V8
- Gearbox
- C6 dual-range automatic
- Built
- Regular production
4-Door Landau (Model 57C), N-code 429 V8, C6 automatic
- Body
- 4-Door Landau (Model 57C)
- Engine
- N-code 429 cu in (7.0-liter) four-barrel V8
- Gearbox
- C6 dual-range automatic
- Built
- Regular production
No factory configuration matches those filters.
The 1968 model year
Overview
For 1968 the Thunderbird retained its three-body fifth-generation range but replaced the previous 390 and 428 choices with Ford's new N-code 429 four-barrel V8. The factory supplement pairs that sole engine with the C6 automatic in the two-door Hardtop, two-door Landau, and four-door Landau.
Specifications
- Engines
- N-code 429 cu in four-barrel V8
- Transmissions
- C6 dual-range automatic
- Body styles
- 2-Door Hardtop (65C), 2-Door Landau (65D), 4-Door Landau (57C)
Year over year
What changed
- The N-code 429 four-barrel V8 replaced the prior 390 and 428 engine choices.
- Ford revised the body-model identifiers to 65C, 65D, and 57C.
- The three-model two-door and four-door body range continued.
Worth knowing
Notable
- The factory supplement lists only the N-code 429 and U-code C6 for Thunderbird, preventing unsupported carryover-engine or manual-transmission pages.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- Confirm the N engine code and U transmission code before ordering powertrain service parts.
- Inspect sequential rear turn signals, vacuum-operated accessories, vinyl-roof seams, and four-door rear-door operation.
Maintenance & service parts
Keep your 1968 Thunderbird on the road
Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.
Service desk
What this car needs & when
Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1968 Ford Thunderbird. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.
- Service topics
- 4
- Factory intervals
- 3
- Fitment-scoped
- 4
- Exact references
- 1
Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.
Engine oil change and minor lubrication
Sourced interval available
Source: Ford — 1968 Thunderbird factory brochure · Specifications spread, Twice-A-Year Maintenance panel · checked
Major chassis lubrication
Sourced interval available
Source: Ford — 1968 Thunderbird factory brochure · Specifications spread, Twice-A-Year Maintenance panel · checked
Engine coolant antifreeze
Sourced interval available
Source: Ford — 1968 Thunderbird factory brochure · Specifications spread, Twice-A-Year Maintenance panel · checked
Engine oil filter — catalog fitment
Exact reference available
This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not establish a service interval.
Baldwin B2
Baldwin B2
Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Ford 1968 — Thunderbird application, printed catalog page 668, Lube column · checked
Verified ordering references
- Validated equivalentBaldwin B2
Qty. 1 · Engine lubricating-oil filter · catalog-listed
Cataloged for the 1968 Ford Thunderbird. Confirm VIN, installed engine, and filter housing before ordering.
Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Ford 1968 — Thunderbird application, printed catalog page 668, Lube column · checked
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