1968 Thunderbird Thunder Jet
 

Anyone know the history on these cars? A friend of mine has one with 41k original miles on it. Still has the 429 side oiler motor as well. Any info would be appreciated.

Re: 1968 Thunderbird Thunder Jet
 

I seem to remember Ford building a few 428 CJ T-birds in 68. Is that what you mean?

Re: 1968 Thunderbird Thunder Jet
 

For info go to:

http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird1968specifications.html

Looks like the Thunder Jet 429 engine was standard equipment after Jan 1,1968


Travis

PS...side oilers were 427's 1966-67

Re: 1968 Thunderbird Thunder Jet
 

From what I was told it was a NASCAR special motor that had to custom ordered from Ford. I was wondering how rare this car is, and maybe what it would sell for.

Re: 1968 Thunderbird Thunder Jet
 

This is a joke right?

Re: 1968 Thunderbird Thunder Jet
 

The Ford 429 "Thunderjet" was the base 429 4 barrel engine that came out for the 1968 model year, and this basic engine was used into the early 70`s, rated at 360HP It was used in TBirds, big Fords and Mercurys, and in 1970, was the base engine in the Torino Cobra , while the 370HP Cobra Jet and 375HP Super Cobra Jet were the higher performance options. The ThunderJets had mild hyd. cams, Autolite carbs and standard cyl.heads, whereas the Cobra Jet used a Rochester Quadrajet (honest!) and a hotter hyd. cam, plus larger valve & port heads, the SCJ had a solid cam and Holley 780carb. The 429CJ & SCJ were only available in 70-71 Torinos( including Rancheros), and Mercury Cyclones, as well as 1971 only Mustangs. None of the big Fords, Mercs, or TBirds were available with the CJ/SCJ engine. The ThunderJet was a nice engine, but it was nothing special, performance wise. Other than a few early 428 FE powered 68`s, ALL 68-70 Thunderbirds used the 429 ThunderJet as the only engine avaiable. The base 429 4 barrel ThunderJet carried engine code "N" in the engine code of the VIN , (5th digit on the tag), while the CJ was "C", and the SCJ was "J"

Re: 1968 Thunderbird Thunder Jet
 

With only 41K miles that T-Bird is probably a real nice car. However, the Thunder Jet 429 was simply the standard engine used in luxury Fords during that era. We have shown you info to that effect. If you decide to listen to “experts” who say it is a special order NASCAR engine in the T-Bird, then be sure to ask those who are telling you that story to produce info to back up their words.

As far as how rare the car is with the Thunder Jet 429, a total of 64,931 T-Birds were built in 1968. The first six months with the 390 and the second six months with the 429. There is currently one on eBay, "Buy it now" price $8975

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-FORD-THUNDERBIRD-COUPE-429-V8-4-BARREL-MUST-SEE_W0QQitemZ270417830871QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Car s_Trucks?hash=item3ef628a3d7&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245 &_trkparms=65%3A7%7C39%3A1

Travis

Re: 1968 Thunderbird Thunder Jet
 

Travis;
In the pic of the gauges the milage reads 26,735.That would be a sweet cruise night car.Nice color too.

Re: 1968 Thunderbird Thunder Jet
 

Side Oiler?? There's your first clue the story is bogus. The only Side Oilers were 427's. Completely different engines.