The heart and soul of the Boss 429, you could say, is its combustion chamber design: a traditional hemi configuration, but with a twist. “Bunkie” Knudsen left General Motors to become president at Ford in March of 1968, he threw his enthusiastic support behind the project. (Reportedly, the 385 name is taken from the stroke of the 460 version.) A racing engine based on the 385 architecture was also under development, and when Semon E. The 385 was produced in two displacements: a 429 cubic-inch version (4.36-in bore x 3.59-in stroke) for the ’68 Thunderbird and a 460 cubic-inch unit of 4.36-in x 3.85-in bore and stroke for Lincoln. Like the big-block Chevy and the Cleveland Ford, two more American V8s of the ’60s, the 385 employed a canted-valve cylinder head layout, with the intake and exhaust valves inclined 4-5 degrees and splayed 9 degrees. The 385 series shared its 4.900-inch bore spacing with the MEL family, but otherwise it was an all-new engine. Under development for six years, the 385 was designed to replace two existing Ford big-block passenger-car engine families, the FE and the MEL, which each suffered some built-in limitations in architecture. The Boss 429 story actually begins here, with Ford’s 385 engine series, also known as the Lima V8, introduced for the 1968 model year. And while the Mustang Boss 429 was produced for only two years, the engine’s performance career has continued on for half a century. ![]() But somehow the label that stuck was Boss 429-the same name as the only factory production car that ever used the engine. When the Ford Motor Company unveiled its latest racing engine to the public in the autumn of 1968, a number of prospective names were offered up, including Blue Racer, Blue Crescent, Shotgun engine, and Twisted Hemi. If we believe the air cleaner, this is a 429 Thunder Jet engine, which when new meant 360 horsepower and over 420 ft-lbs of torque! Even with a curb weight of 4541 pounds, that’s still enough power to make things interesting on the street! The seller has done a lot of mechanical refurbishment to the car, ranging from engine part replacement to suspension refurbishment.The Boss 429 V8 was offered in a production car for only two years, but its impact on the Ford performance scene has continued for decades. If you don’t want to take that on yourself, most local upholstery shops around here will take it on for you I’m guessing that’s true in other locales as well. The seller has already purchased a replacement set of top material, so it’s time to take the step of removing this top, fixing the damage and putting the new top material on. ![]() Uh-oh! Yes, those bubbles under the vinyl are exactly what you think they are. Here’s a better look at those great doors! There’s also a swing-away steering wheel, so there’s really no excuse for not being able to get into this big old car! Unfortunately, you can also see that some upholstery repair or replacement will be needed to get that interior up to snuff. The seller says they don’t have time for it anymore as they are deployed (I thank them for their service!) and want to see it go to someone who will appreciate it.Īs a child, I had a ‘ 68 Thunderbird Hot Wheel that was almost this color, and I remember loving the front end styling even then. One of the most challenging items for the stylists must have been to incorporate the rear door shut line half way into the landau vinyl top! The car really looks nice with the original wheel covers and a period color. It’s up for sale here on eBay where the buy it now price is $8,900 but lower offers are welcomed. Some call them “suicide” doors! Maybe this will win over those ‘two-door only’ readers? Anyway, it’s located only about 30 miles south of me in Fayetteville, North Carolina. This 1968 Thunderbird has those interesting rearward opening doors in the back.
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