Overall, sales dipped slightly to below where they were at for the 1966 model year, at 64,391 units. Thunderbirds were little changed for 1968, though the 429-cid, 360-hp Thunderjet engine was added to the options list and the 427-cid engines were dropped. Engines ranged from 275- and 315-hp 390-cid V-8s, through two high-performance motors of 427-cid, offering 410 and 425 hp, up to the 428-cid, 345-hp Thunderbird Special. All of the new Thunderbirds were longer and heavier than the preceding model, with full-width grilles, hidden headlights, and full-width taillights. The Landau models had a vinyl roof and a decorative bar dressing up the C-pillar. In addition to the four-door Landau sedan, a two-door coupe and Landau coupe were also offered. Ford sold nearly 10,000 more Thunderbirds in 1967 than it did in 1966. Despite what purists must have thought, the move was an attempt to broaden the car’s appeal and sell more units, which was easily accomplished. Underneath, the car began to utilize body-on-frame construction instead of a unibody setup. Even more drastic, the company dropped the convertible from the Thunderbird lineup for the first time. Added to the T-Bird range this year was a four-door sedan model, with forward opening “suicide” rear doors, which included part of the roof. History of the 1967-1971 Ford Thunderbird:įord took a bold step in redesigning the Thunderbird in 1967.

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