Mid-Year Changes for 1968

Q: Mid-Year Changes for 1968

What were some of the mid-year changes for the 1968 Firebird?

A: Your question is one that has puzzled many of us over the years. One of the projects we’ve been working on with all the Registry dat has been to try and establish the Production Part Variations and Mid-Year (V-2) Production Changes.

• Dash Grab Handle (Assist Bar)- Color-Keyed
  Included with (and exclusive to) the Custom Trim Option.

• 160mph Speedo
  Standard on all 1968 Firebirds

• Headliner Side Trim Moldings – Coupe
  Not entirely positive here but I believe what you refer to are the stainless trim moldings; possible unique to the Custom Trim Option. Standard would have been color-keyed or black moldings.

• 4-Speed
  Optional on all models; avail. as a Wide or Close Ratio. Close Ratio was mandatory option w/3.90 axle.

• Deluxe Interior- Custom Trim Option (Sales Code 554)
  Available on all models. Included: Woven-Vinyl Seats, Molded Door/Qtr Trim, Deluxe Strg. Wheel, Pedal Trim, Dash Assist Handle, Wheel Opening Moldings, Deluxe Whl Covers, Dual Horns, Roof Rail Moldings, Interior Pillar/Headliner Moldings and Glove Box “Bird” emblem. NOTE: Some early cars w/this option came with Molded Grain Knit-weave Vinyl Seat Trim; 2nd type was Knited Vinyl Fabric. This appears to have only applied to a few colors. Also, the Window Regulators (manual) were different between Standard & Custom Trim due to length of Glass-Crank Mechanism (the splined rod the crank-handle attaches to).

• Glove Box Door “Bird” Emblem
  Standard on all 1967 Firebirds; included with the Custom Trim Option in 1968. Also found on some early production Standard Trim Firebirds. Some late production Firebirds with Custom Trim do not have this “Bird” emblem.

• Custom (Deluxe) Seat Belts
  Separate Option available on all models. Not included with the Custom Trim Option. Inconsistent Usage. Research has found some documented Firebirds with the Custom Belts (brushed-metal Latches) yet w/o the Custom Belt Option listed on the invoice. Speculate that this was either a production-glitch or an early- production pkg related to the “Bird” glass.

• Custom Pedal Trim
  This was included with the Custom Trim Option and also available on all models separately. Also noted in Sales Literature that this trim was Std. on all V-8 models.

• “Bird” Glass (Front-Side)
  A White “etched” (silk-screened) “Bird” image was applied to the Front Side Glass of some early production Firebirds. No mention of this was made in any Factory or Dealer Literature or Parts Catalog. Extensive research has not revealed the criteria for which cars received this unique Glass. Many have speculated but evidence has shown this was not exclusive to: Custom Trim, “400”, Air Conditioning, Conv., PW, etc. “Bird” Glass has been found on documented cars w/Build Dates as late as March 1968.

• Burlwood Console & Dash Trim.
  Standard on all 1968 Firebirds

• Hood Tach
  Early Production Firebirds used the 1st Type which was a Tall-Style Housing, Single Bulb. The 2nd Type came into production when supplies of the 1st Type were exhausted (around Dec/Jan) There were also variations on the face design/colors.

• Radiator Support Filler Panels (R/L)
  These were included with the “400” option and all Air-Conditioned cars. Also included a lower valance panel behind the front valance.

• Rally Gauges
  Included a unique Wiring Harness (Dash, Engine, Lamp) Fuse Box and Sending Units. Also, Speedo was unique. This has been previously discussed on The List. I believe there is a Web Site that explains what is required to modify wiring for those adding Rally Gauges. As with the Tach & Clock, all 1968 instrumentation had a Steel-Blue Face (background).

As always, the above information is subject to correction, revision and constructive criticism. I openly welcome all.

A: As for the running production changes, these should not include option availability. I would say to make a separate list of options so as not to confuse the issue. I would like to add the following to available options in later part of year.

• RA option changed from RA I to RA II ( no choice of either)

• Tire inflator for V-8s only

• decklid release

• spare tire lock

• Special spring colors

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