A 1968 R-code
Owned by Arlene Quay
1968 MERCURY COUGAR "R" CODE NON-GTE The 428 Cobra Jet was introduced April
1 1968 as a mid year change and was nothing more than a $420.95 Engine Option in
the Mercury Cougar in 1968. It could be ordered in a Standard Hardtop, GT, XR-7,
GTE, or XR7-G. All Serial Numbers (VIN) should start as 8F91R (Std. Hardtop) or
8F93R (XR-7) for Dearborn built cars; or 8R91R (Std. Hardtop) or 8R93R (XR-7) for
San Jose built cars. Below is a list of some of the unique items found on the 1968
"R" Code:
- The 428CJ could be ordered with an Automatic or 4-Speed.
- All 1968 428CJs were equipped with Ram Air as standard equipment. The Ram Air (Flapper
Lid), which had a rubber seal that sealed the Air Cleaner to the underside of the
Hood, was unique in 1968, as the front area had a distinct bend between the two
reinforcing ribs. In later years this bend extended out past these ribs.
- The Satin Black Hood Scoop for the 1968 is unique, as it has 8 mounting studs, where
the Eliminator Scoop in 1969 and 1970 used 10 mounting studs.
- All 428CJ equipped cars had a Satin Black painted Stripe on the Hood, extending
from under the Hood Scoop, down over the front, even straddling the center chrome
Mercury Emblem. All cars received this -- even for the color Black.
- All 1968 428CJ cars received a Starter Delay. This was mounted over the Starter
Solenoid and was designed to prevent the starter bendix/starter gear from being
ground into the flywheel/flexplate while it was still turning from a start attempt
that failed.
- 428CJ cars came with 24F Batteries
- All 1968 428CJ cars received the Competition Handling Package, which was a required
$30.64 Option. This Option included heavy duty Springs and Shocks. The front Sway
Bar was 15/16th diameter, and in 1968 only, there was a 3/16th's inch spacer-plate
mounted between the Sway Bar's front, U-shaped Clamps and the lower Frame.
- All 1968 428CJ cars received 6-inch wide Wheels, whether Standard or Styled Steel.
- The common Tires found on these cars were Goodyear Polyglass (No Size in White)
F70-14 Raised White Letter Tires, which were a $73.40 required Option.
- The Rear end Housing was a 9-inch with a nodular third member and 31-spline Axles.
- Unlike later years, there was NO "Drag Pack" Option in 1968, hence NO 428SCJ in
1968
- In 1968 only 428CJ cars had the lower wrap-around shock tower bracing
- There was NO factory insignia or badges to indicate the car had a 428CJ under the
hood
|
