Mid-Year Changes for 1968

Q: Mid-Year Changes for 1968

What were some of the mid-year changes that occurred for the 1968.

A: OK heres some of the items I have found over the last 30 yrs for 68s. Not completely in order.

• Tall hood tachs (used up 1967 ones).

• 2 bulb front side marker (went away around SEPT).

• Glove box bird (used up 1967s).

• ‘BIRD’ emblem was discontinued from std. interior glove box doors and possibly from custom.

• Knit weave vinyl inserts in the Custom option seats (contrary to myth that only early converts got the all madrid grain inserts, early hdtps did too.)

• Fuel gauge on standard gauge cars added 1/8 tank increments.i.e. 1/8,1/4,3/8,1/2 etc.

• OSRV mirror change to the ugly rectangular style.

• Bird glass ….no one can pin this one down as I’ve had every possible combo get these don’t think it was a late model addition or early model deletion.

• 2 different lower style hood tach, along with RPM changes the face changed also. Both V-8s and OHC-6 were affected

• Addition of the trunk release as an option.

• Additional colors added to the lineup, called “Spring colors” (April)

• Everyone knows this one, RAII was substituted for RAI.

I’m sure I’ve forgot some, I will update as I remember. I will get into mechanical changes later. i.e. heard late 1968s came with variable ratio PS. Got 2 cars built 5th week July thats got reg.PS so show me.

A: Thanks for your list of 1968 Firebird Model Year Changes… Here are a few more:

• Fuel Filler Door Emblem (Early w/Finger Lift, Later Flat)

• Seat Belts (Early using Metal Buckles on even Std.Inter.cars)

• 4Bbl Intake Manifold (9790140 early….9794234 mid-year)

• 4Bbl Throttle Brkt. (9792242 early….9797415 mid-year)

• Pwr LH Bucket Seat (Mid-Year Option)

• Variable Ratio Power Steering (Mid-Year Option. in addition to P.S. ?)

• Rally I’s deleted from option list mid-year due to Tire Size Change

• Leather Seat Trim Option after June.. Custom Interior Only

• Switched from black washer fluid jar to a white jar

• Outside Mirror (Round/Rectangular)

• 4Bbl Intake Manifold

• 4Bbl Throttle Cable Bracket

• Hood Tach

• Seat Belts

• GloveBox Emblem

• Etched ‘Bird’ on Front Side Glass

• Ram Air I and Ram Air II engine

• H.O. & Ram Air Exhaust Manifolds

• Power Seat

• Leather Interior

• Variable Ratio Power Steering

• Fiberglass Belted Tires

• VIN started being stamped on engine blocks

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