1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT – NR Classic Cars Rudersberg 2020
The 1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT belonged to a phase when the Mustang was drifting away from its original role as a compact sporty car and moving decisively into muscle-car territory. Increased engine sizes, more aggressive styling, and stronger competition from rival manufacturers pushed Ford toward higher-performance variants aimed at drivers who wanted straight-line power as much as everyday usability. The 390 GT sat directly in this transition zone: faster and heavier than the early Mustangs, but still recognizably part of the original pony car concept that had transformed the American market only a few years earlier.
Technical Details
At the center of the 1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT was Ford’s FE-series 390 cubic-inch V8 engine, equivalent to approximately 6.4 liters. This big-block engine was significantly larger and heavier than the small-block V8s that had defined earlier Mustangs. Equipped with a four-barrel carburetor, the engine produced around 325 horsepower and, even more importantly, substantial torque across a broad rev range. The character of the car was therefore shaped less by high engine speeds and more by strong acceleration and effortless cruising power.
The FE engine used a cast-iron block and overhead valve layout, following traditional American V8 engineering practice of the era. Buyers could pair the engine with either a four-speed manual transmission or Ford’s SelectShift automatic gearbox. Rear-wheel drive remained standard, with power transferred through a solid rear axle designed to handle the increased torque output.
Suspension construction remained relatively conservative. The front used unequal-length control arms with coil springs, while the rear relied on leaf springs and a live axle. Although this setup could not match the precision of some European sports cars, it was robust and well suited to American roads and high-speed highway driving. Power-assisted steering and power brakes were commonly fitted to GT models, reflecting the increasing weight and performance of late-1960s Mustangs.
The GT package also included upgraded suspension tuning, front disc brakes, and visual performance cues. While the 390 GT was capable of strong acceleration figures for its time, the car’s engineering philosophy focused on broad usability rather than specialized racing refinement. It remained a practical four-seat American coupe despite its substantial V8 output.
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Model name: Ford Mustang 390 GT
- Year of manufacturing: 1968
Design
The design language of the 1968 Mustang reflected the changing mood of American performance cars during the late 1960s. Compared to the cleaner and lighter early Mustangs, the 1968 body appeared more sculpted and visually heavier. The front grille sat deeper within the nose, while the side surfaces carried stronger creases and more pronounced muscular forms.
The 390 GT package added additional visual distinction. GT models typically featured hood scoops, GT badging, revised striping, styled wheels, and dual exhaust outlets integrated into the rear valance. These elements communicated performance immediately, even when the car was stationary. Unlike some later muscle cars, however, the 1968 Mustang still retained relatively balanced proportions without excessive ornamentation.
The fastback body style became especially associated with the 390 GT because it visually reinforced the car’s performance identity. The sloping roofline flowing into the rear deck created a more aerodynamic and aggressive appearance than the standard hardtop coupe. The recessed grille with auxiliary driving lamps added further visual depth to the front end.
Inside, the Mustang combined sporting imagery with American comfort expectations. Deeply hooded instruments, simulated wood trim, bucket seats, and center consoles created a more driver-focused environment than ordinary family sedans. Yet the cabin remained spacious and practical enough for everyday use, reinforcing the Mustang’s dual identity as both performance machine and personal transport.
Historical Significance
The 1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT emerged during one of the most competitive periods in American automotive history. By the late 1960s, nearly every major American manufacturer offered increasingly powerful intermediate and pony cars. Chevrolet had launched the Camaro, Pontiac introduced the Firebird, and Dodge intensified its performance programs. Ford responded by expanding the Mustang range upward with more powerful engines and more specialized variants.
The 390 GT occupied an important place within this strategy. It offered substantial big-block performance without reaching the extreme territory later occupied by Cobra Jet Mustangs. In many ways, the 390 GT represented the moment when the Mustang became fully integrated into the broader American muscle car movement.
The 1968 model year also introduced important safety and regulatory changes across the industry. Federal safety requirements led to revised interior features, side marker lights, shoulder belts, and other equipment updates. These changes reflected a broader shift in the automotive industry toward balancing performance with increasing government regulation.
The Mustang’s commercial importance remained enormous. Even as competition intensified, Ford continued producing Mustangs in large numbers, and the GT variants helped preserve the model’s performance credibility during an era increasingly defined by horsepower competition.
Quirks and Pop Culture
The 1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT achieved lasting fame largely because of its connection to cinema. The model became internationally recognized through the film Bullitt, in which a dark green 1968 Mustang fastback driven by Steve McQueen participated in one of the most influential car chase scenes ever filmed. Although the exact film cars differed slightly in specification, the association between the 1968 Mustang fastback and the 390 GT became deeply embedded in automotive culture.
The Bullitt chase sequence changed how cars were filmed in Hollywood. Instead of exaggerated studio effects, the scene emphasized realistic engine sounds, visible body roll, aggressive gear changes, and genuine urban driving speed through the streets of San Francisco. This gave the Mustang a reputation for authenticity and mechanical toughness that extended far beyond the film itself.
The 390 GT also developed a reputation among enthusiasts for its broad torque delivery rather than high-revving behavior. Drivers often described the car as feeling powerful at almost any speed, reinforcing its image as a highway machine rather than a lightweight sports coupe.
Another curiosity is that the Mustang’s increasing size and engine displacement gradually blurred the distinction between “pony car” and “muscle car.” The 390 GT sits precisely within this overlap, making it historically interesting as a transitional model between categories.
Display and preservation
This car was displayed at the NR Classic Car Collection in Rudersberg which reflects a deep passion for American automotive culture. Specialising in muscle and pony cars from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, the collection regularly features around 30 to 40 carefully selected classics. Many of the cars are equipped with powerful V8 engines exceeding six litres in displacement and producing well over 400 horsepower. Unlike static museum exhibits, these automobiles are actively maintained, driven and continuously renewed through new acquisitions, ensuring that the exhibition remains dynamic and authentic for enthusiasts and visitors alike.
Conclusion
The 1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT reflected the rapid evolution of the American performance car during the late 1960s. Powered by a large FE-series V8, it combined strong acceleration and substantial torque with the practicality and accessibility that had always defined the Mustang range. Its design adopted sharper, heavier styling cues suited to the muscle car era, while GT-specific features reinforced its performance identity. Historically, the 390 GT marked Ford’s response to escalating competition within the American performance market. Through its enduring association with Bullitt and Steve McQueen, the car achieved a cultural visibility few American performance cars have matched, ensuring the 1968 Mustang 390 GT remains one of the most recognizable Mustangs ever produced.
