1968 Ford Torino GT 428 Cobra Jet

Muscle car powered by Ford 428 Cobra Jet V8.

Stock-presenting 1968 Ford Torino GT fastback photographed by Sicnag; exact-year model context rather than proof of the 428 option

Body styles Torino GT fastback, hardtop, or convertible

Engine R-code 428 Cobra Jet FE V8; 335 hp and 445 lb-ft advertised

Drivetrain C6 automatic or wide- or close-ratio four-speed

1968 boundary Non-Ram-Air Torino installation reported by Hemmings

Story

1968 Ford Torino GT 428 Cobra Jet

Ford added the 428 Cobra Jet to the Torino GT during the 1968 model year. Reviewed references describe an R-code 428 FE rated at 335 hp and 445 lb-ft, paired with a C6 automatic or a wide- or close-ratio four-speed and required Competition Suspension. Hemmings reports that this 1968 Torino installation was non-Ram-Air, an important boundary when evaluating later hood or induction hardware.

The Torino GT was offered as a fastback, hardtop, and convertible. Published totals of 74,135 fastbacks, 23,940 hardtops, and 5,310 convertibles describe all Torino GT engines, not 428 Cobra Jet production. Hemmings gives 23,939 hardtops, one fewer than the TorinoCobra table, so the discrepancy remains visible instead of being averaged away. A target-specific R-code count still requires licensed Ford or Marti statistics.

An R in the VIN engine position is the starting point for factory 428 identity. The Torino GT body code, warranty plate, build sheet or Marti report, transmission and axle tags, drivetrain dates, paint, and trim should agree. GT stripes, a power-bulge hood, 428 badges, or an installed Cobra Jet cannot authenticate a factory car by themselves.

Stock-presenting 1968 Ford Torino GT hardtop retained for exact-year GT body, grille, roofline, side trim, glass, and wheel-cover context; the photographed car is identified as a 390 and does not prove the 428 Cobra Jet option.Sicnag via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

A verified original price is not yet available for this car.

Market Observations

High bid $54,500

Feb 11, 2025 · Bring a Trailer
Marti-documented R-code Torino GT Indy Pace Car convertible 8H43R150631 with replacement Cobra Jet, prior drag history, and 2024 refurbishment. · modified · unknown Bring a Trailer records a $54,500 reserve-not-met high bid for chassis 8H43R150631. The Deluxe Marti Report identifies one of two 428 Cobra Jet Indy Pace Car promotion cars, but the archive also records a replacement 428, prior drag-car conversion, revised camshaft, 4.86 gears, body repair, repaint, replacement decals, and a multi-year refurbishment completed in 2024. The amount is a modified-convertible no-sale comparison, not a completed sale or a stock-fastback equivalent.
1968 Ford Torino GT 428 Cobra Jet Indy Pace Car convertible 8H43R150631
Auction sale $47,300

Sep 5, 2024 · Mecum Dallas 2024
Matching-numbers R-code Torino GT fastback 8A42R280682 with mostly original paint/interior, build sheet, and Deluxe Marti Report. · survivor · unknown Mecum records a $47,300 sale for VIN 8A42R280682. The archive identifies a matching-numbers R-code 428 Cobra Jet, C6 automatic, 3.91 Traction-Lok, mostly original Sunlit Gold paint and Nugget Gold interior, more than 45 years of storage, original build sheet, and Deluxe Marti Report. Survivor classification preserves the archive's mostly-original limits and does not assert untouched condition.
1968 Ford Torino GT 428 Cobra Jet fastback 8A42R280682
Auction sale $55,000

Jan 11, 2019 · Mecum Kissimmee 2019
R-code Torino GT fastback 8A42R253044 after nut-and-bolt restoration, with original build sheet and Deluxe Marti Report. · restored · unknown Mecum records a $55,000 sale for VIN 8A42R253044. The archive identifies an R-code 428 Cobra Jet Torino GT fastback, C6 automatic, 3.50 limited-slip axle, original build sheet, Deluxe Marti Report, restoration receipts, and a nut-and-bolt restoration to like-original condition. The auction description is consignor-provided despite the supporting documents.
1968 Ford Torino GT 428 Cobra Jet fastback 8A42R253044
Auction sale $28,000

Feb 20, 2017 · Bring a Trailer
One-owner-until-2016 R-code Torino GT fastback 8A42R266535 with factory Cobra Jet, largely original paint/interior, original window sticker, and purchase records. · survivor · unknown Bring a Trailer records a $28,000 sale for chassis 8A42R266535. The archive identifies a factory 428 Cobra Jet and Select Shift automatic, 48-year original ownership, largely original paint and stock interior, believed-accurate 62k miles, original window sticker and purchase file, plus recommissioning after long storage. Survivor does not mean untouched; fuel, cooling, ignition, glass, and brake work is disclosed.
1968 Ford Torino GT 428 Cobra Jet fastback 8A42R266535

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Engine Details

Bore 4.13 inches · production 428-4V Cobra Jet · engine assembly / specification
Stroke 3.98 inches · production 428-4V Cobra Jet · engine assembly / specification
Maximum compression ratio 11.0:1 · production 428-4V Cobra Jet specification chart · engine assembly / specification
Carburetor airflow rating 735 cfm 4V · production 428 Cobra Jet carburetion · carburetor / specification
Manual-transmission carburetor C8OZ-9510-AA · production 428 Cobra Jet with manual transmission · carburetor / part number
Automatic-transmission carburetor C8OZ-9510-AB · production 428 Cobra Jet with automatic transmission · carburetor / part number
Spark plug Autolite BF-32 · production 428-4V Cobra Jet specification chart · ignition / part number
Intake valve head diameter 2.097 inches · production 428-4V Cobra Jet specification chart · valve train / specification
Exhaust valve head diameter 1.660 inches · production 428-4V Cobra Jet specification chart · valve train / specification
Cobra Jet 428 cylinder head C8OZ-6049-F · Cobra Jet 428 heads fitting Ford big-block wedge engines · cylinder head / part number
Cobra Jet 428 cylinder head casting C8AE-6090-J · Cobra Jet 428 heads fitting Ford big-block wedge engines · cylinder head / casting number
428 Cobra Jet crankshaft C6AZ-6303-B · production 428 Cobra Jet crankshaft; Ford notes flywheel-installed balance requirement · crankshaft / part number
Block construction controlled-microstructure improved cast iron block with standard two-bolt main bearing caps · production 428 Cobra Jet block description · block / specification
Connecting rods special high-strength type used in 428 Police Interceptor engines with larger 11/32-inch cap bolt and nut retention · production 428 Cobra Jet connecting rod description · connecting rod / specification
Production piston cast aluminum dished-with-eyebrows piston with full-floating pin and two retainers · production 428 Cobra Jet piston description · piston / specification
Production distributor type single-point dual-advance distributor · production 428 Cobra Jet ignition description · distributor / specification

Transmission

Factory transmission Ford C6 three-speed automatic
Factory transmission Ford Toploader four-speed manual; wide- and close-ratio applications reported

Options

428 Cobra Jet FE reference for the 1968 Ford Torino GT 428 Cobra JetClassic Muscle · Reference illustration

R 428 CID 4-barrel V8 / Cobra Jet engine option optional · performance · Mid-year 1968 option; Hemmings gives April 1 availability and Ford-Torino.de lists R as 428 CID 4-barrel V8. Treated as engine option, not a separate special edition.
Competition Suspension with 428 Cobra Jet required · chassis · Hemmings reports the 428 order mandated a separate Competition Suspension option; exact Ford sales code not verified in the reviewed references.

Paint

A Raven Black factory · solid
B Royal Maroon factory · solid
D Acapulco Blue Metallic factory · metallic
F Gulfstream Aqua Metallic factory · metallic
I Lime Green Metallic factory · metallic
M Wimbledon White factory · solid
N Diamond Blue factory · solid
O Light Green factory · solid
Q Brittany Blue Metallic factory · metallic
R Dark Green Metallic factory · metallic
T Candyapple Red factory · solid
U Medium Aqua Metallic factory · metallic
W Meadowlark Yellow factory · solid
X Dark Blue Metallic factory · metallic
Y Sunlit Gold Metallic factory · metallic
3 Calypso Coral / Vermilion factory · solid
5 Low Gloss Black factory · solid
6 Light Beige factory · solid

Appearance

Torino GT side stripes standard · stripe
Power-bulge hood standard · hood
Styled steel wheels with GT centers standard · wheel
Torino GT identification standard · badge
428 fender identification factory · badge

Interior

Full-width front bench seat standard · seat
Deep-pleated bucket seats optional · seat
Color-keyed all-vinyl upholstery factory · upholstery
Center console optional · console

Chassis

Torino GT front anti-sway bar and stiffer GT suspension Suspension · standard
Competition Suspension for 428 Cobra Jet Suspension · required
Standard drum brakes Brakes · standard
Power front disc brake option Brakes · optional
3.50 rear axle Rear axle · 3.50:1 · factory
3.91 Traction-Lok rear axle Rear axle · 3.91:1 · limited-slip · factory
4.30 Traction-Lok rear axle Rear axle · 4.30:1 · limited-slip · factory

Production

Factory Transmissions reference for the 1968 Ford Torino GT 428 Cobra JetClassic Muscle · Reference illustration

1968 Torino GT fastback by body · 74,135 · documented
1968 Torino GT hardtop by body · 23,940 · documented
1968 Torino GT convertible by body · 5,310 · reported

Authenticity

9-Inch Rear Axle reference for the 1968 Ford Torino GT 428 Cobra JetClassic Muscle · Reference illustration

VIN engine code R = 428 CID 4-barrel V8 for 1968 · VIN engine-type position; verify against title, door tag, hidden stampings, and car-specific report · fraud detection
Torino GT body serial / body codes VIN body serial 42 fastback, 44 hardtop, 43 convertible; data plate body 63D fastback, 65D hardtop, 76D convertible · VIN and warranty/data plate; compare with build sheet/Marti report · trim correctness
1968 Cobra Jet Ram Air boundary No Ram Air option documented for 1968 Torino GT Cobra Jet in Hemmings guide · Hood/air-cleaner hardware, build sheet, Marti report, and factory literature review · trim correctness
Rear axle code Data plate AXLE codes include X 3.91 Traction-Lok and Y 4.30 Traction-Lok · Warranty/data plate AXLE field; corroborate with axle tag/build sheet · date correctness
Factory record hierarchy Build sheet and Marti report should corroborate VIN, door tag, powertrain, body, paint, trim, axle, and transmission · In-car build sheet locations, Marti Auto Works report, door tag, apron stampings, drivetrain stampings · fraud detection
Engine-block partial VIN stamping Production 428 Cobra Jet blocks may carry a partial vehicle VIN on the rear block pad; the stamping should be compared with the vehicle VIN and factory records rather than treated as stand-alone proof. · Flat pad near the upper-left rear of the block; registry also reports some findings at the rear of the driver-side cylinder head. · numbers matching
428 Cobra Jet block casting and date-code clues Block scratch marks, reinforced 428 casting clues, oil-gallery-plug configuration, and date code must be evaluated together; the registry cautions that complete confidence is difficult while the block remains installed. · Rear bulkhead scratch/casting area, block date code, and rear cam-plug/oil-gallery-plug area, followed by out-of-car inspection when needed. · fraud detection
1968 428 Cobra Jet carburetor identification 428 Cobra Jet carburetor checks should use the Ford engineering number, Holley list number, casting date code, and identification tag; 1968 carburetors had running-change details and reproduction differences. · Air horn ahead of the choke plate for engineering/list/date markings and passenger-side choke assembly for the Holley identification tag. · date correctness

Still Researching

engine Ford high-performance parts literature resolves selected production 428 Cobra Jet engine details: bore, stroke, compression chart value, 735-cfm carburetion, transmission-specific carburetor part numbers, spark plug, valve sizes, cylinder-head part/casting numbers, crankshaft part number, and block/rod/piston/distributor construction. The complete casting, distributor part-number, exhaust-manifold, date-code, and Torino-specific original-engine matrix remains incomplete.
transmission The C6 and two four-speed paths are recorded, but exact application tags, ratios, shifters, and date rules are incomplete.
rear axle 3.50, 3.91, and 4.30 paths are recorded, but target-specific axle availability and tag details are incomplete.
brakes Standard drums and optional power front discs are recorded, but complete component and service identifiers are not.
suspension GT and required Competition Suspension context is recorded, but complete spring, shock, stabilizer, and tire identifiers are not.
option packages The midyear R-code and required Competition Suspension paths are recorded, but exact order codes, compatibility, and prices are incomplete.
production Body-style Torino GT totals are recorded, but no target-specific 428 Cobra Jet count is attached and hardtop sources differ by one car.
paint colors Eighteen model-year paint codes are recorded, but R-code frequencies and individual combinations are not.
trim and appearance Major GT cues and the non-Ram-Air boundary are recorded, but every stripe, wheel, tire, badge, and molding combination is not.
interior Bench, bucket-seat, vinyl-trim, and console paths are recorded, but the complete trim-code and compatibility matrix is not.
authenticity markers VIN, body, axle, document hierarchy, non-Ram-Air checks, engine-block partial-VIN/casting/date-code checks, and 1968 carburetor identification locations are recorded, but complete Torino-specific component tag, casting, date, and inspected-original examples remain incomplete.