Topic: 68 Optional Hood with Blinkers

[68 S Code]

Had a local guy contact me about a part I had listed for sale. He decided to pick my brain about his 68 San Jose built J code vert. It was built the first week of January and is a real odd ball. As mentioned its a J code but with a 3-speed manual not a 4 speed. Open rear diff but the optional F70-14 Wide Oval tires with Deluxe Wheel Covers. So I am assuming standard steel wheels? But whats really odd that i cant figure out is this

Meadowlark Yellow Paint, Ford #3120-A with black-out hood treatment.

I don't see any mention on the Marti Report (he sent me) stating that this car had the upgraded hood with the turn signal lights. Am I assuming that it should have been built with a flat hood incorrectly. But if that's the case how would the hood have been blacked out? I know the way the hoods were blacked out if you had the upgraded hood or if it was a CJ. But how did standard hoods get blacked out? And why the Ford #3120-A designation? I haven't noticed information like this on other Marti Reports with other colors.

[ruppstang]

IMHO if you got two tone paint hood you would have had to also buy a deluxe hood.

[68 S Code]

Marty I would have thought the same. But the Marti report makes no mention of an upgraded hood so I am assuming the standard hood, the plain flat one, originally was installed. However it clearly states that there is a blackout treatment on the hood of some sort. That's the reason for the question. Has anyone ever seen a factory blackout of a plain hood? Post a pic if you have seen one. Intriguing. This is actually listed in the yellow box under door data plate Information as well as below the dealership information under Features.

[J_Speegle]

Hood could be included within one of the packages. If you posted just the list of options from the Marti report that might show the answer

[68 S Code]

Jeff here is the info. Doesn't appear to be any packages.

8R03RJ125###

76A    Mustang 2 door convertible
W5     Meadowlark Yellow Paint, Ford #3120-A with black-out hood treatment
2A      Black Vinyl Standard Bucket seats
09A    Scheduled for build January 9, 1968
61      Dallas DSO
5        3.00 Conventional Rear Axle
1        3 Speed manual Transmission

Fergus Motor Company
Killeen TX

Features

Black-out Hood Treatment
Black Manual Top w/Glass backlite
F70-14 Wide Oval White Sidewall Nylon Tires
Console
AM Radio
Deluxe Wheel Covers

[67gtasanjose]

Is that VIN correct?

[68 S Code]

Yes but I left out the last 3 digits for the owners benefit. Its not my car. The last 3 digits are irrelevant.

[J_Speegle]

Yes but I left out the last 3 digits for the owners benefit. Its not my car. The last 3 digits are irrelevant.

Believe he was referencing what might be an extra "R"

8R03RJ125###

The ordering of the two tone hood option may have included or required the louvered/turn indicator hood.

Have others with that option with the louvered hood in 68

[68 S Code]

Yes I fat fingered that second R after the J. It is a J code and not an R. The 3 Speed Manual gives it away. Actually seems odd that  J code would get a 3 speed. So Jeff you believe that the black-out hood treatment triggers the turn signal hooded even though it is not listed? The car does have the deluxe hood but owner said his father replaced back in the day. Its been in the family since 1977. 

[196667Bob]

I would say that it's a good possibility that ordering the "Two-Tone Hood" would trigger the "Louvered-Turn Signal Hood".  say this only because the 1968 Sales Brochure (not always "Gospel", as we know), notes under Options "Two-Tone Hood (Louvered Hood Required"). Although, one would think that they still should have listed it separately. Or possibly, when the Customer ordered the car, he noted that he wanted the "Two-Tone Hood", and the Salesman either didn't write down the Louvered Hood (or didn't realize that it was required), and when Ford got the order, they "automatically" added the Louvered Hood since it was required with the Two-Tone. Just a thought.

Bob

[68 S Code]

Thanks for providing a copy of this document. Very informative. It states in print that the louvered hood was required for the Two Tone Hood. That is what I remember as well from reading books in the past. I had just expected that the Marti report would have listed the optional hood. Interesting that FORD used the term Two Tone while the Marti Report uses Black-out Hood Treatment. I'm pretty sure this document was probably written months in advance of production and sales. So some of the information may not be 100% accurate as running changes are made without revising documents such as this. For instance there is mention of the Glare Reducing Instrument Panel Padding on windsheild pillars. The A Pillar and instrument panel padding above the glove box was dropped midyear.

Did "all" cars receive front and rear bumper guards if they came with wheel lip moldings?

[196667Bob]

The way in which the Brochure is worded ("Front and Rear Bumper Guards/Wheel Lip Moldings), yes, it appears that they came as a "Package". However, someone with a better knowledge of 68's than I, might have a more definitive answer.

Bob

[stangfan]

My 68 GT/CS has bumper guards, but no wheel lip mouldings.  It does have the louvered hood, but I believe that came with the GT/CS package.