1968 Econoline

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Feb 22, 2010 | 04:09 PM

briank

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Mountain Pass

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From: San Diego, CA

1968 Econoline

I have been hearing that Ford never made any 1968 Econolines. Is this true or not? Thanks.

Mar 6, 2010 | 10:59 AM

Supercab

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From: Palm Bay, Florida

Thats what I've been told as well, I think that during the switch from the original 1st generation to the "Mid" ('69-'74) generation that they started production in 1968 but were titled as 1969s
There is a GREAT site dedicated to the Mid-Ford Econolines-they moved to a new server a few months back and I can't find them right now-when I do I'll post up the address for ya.

Mar 6, 2010 | 08:38 PM

briank

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Mountain Pass

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From: San Diego, CA

Thanks for the info.

Mar 7, 2010 | 09:43 AM

Ford_Six

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From: The Big, Oregon

There was a strike at the plant, and production didn't start until May or June of 68, so all were called 69s.

Mar 25, 2011 | 06:55 PM

Boomer68

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Wrong Ford_six. I have a 1968 E-300. Built in January 1968. Donated to a Fire department in March 1968. It was invoiced as a 1968 & 1/2. Titled as a 1968. Identified as a 1969 on the VIN tag, but all the parts on it start out C8UZ... I go by 1968 & 1/2. That's what the Fire Compant recieved it as, they advertised and sold it to me and I have the receipt still saying 1968 & 1/2 Ford Econoline 300. There is a Ford publication shop manual that gives idle settings for a 1968 Econoline too...

Apr 8, 2011 | 09:29 PM

FordMan1981

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford_Six

There was a strike at the plant, and production didn't start until May or June of 68, so all were called 69s.

From James K. Wagner's Ford Trucks Since 1905:
"Originally scheduled as '68s and assigned part numbers accordingly, the new E-series were delayed several months by the UAW strike of 1967 and declared 1969 models when introduced the following winter. As a result, there were no 1968 Econolines per se; however, the second-generation has been described and depicted in [the 1968 chapter since it was originally intended for this model year and sold during its latter months.]"

More accurately, I believe Wagner is saying the new E-series officially began production around January or February 1968, as a pulled-ahead 1969 model.

~Ben