For 1968, Ford offered Fairlane and Torino hardtops in two flavors: a conventional three-box Sport Coupe and a slant-roofed Fastback. Let’s see how that worked out.

1968 Fairlane Torino GT studio model (note jackstands) 

When Ford introduced the Fairlane and Fairlane Torino Fastbacks for 1969, from some angles it might look like a bold and risky move. After all, the ’66-’67 Dodge Charger and ’65-’67 AMC Marlin, two more intermediate-size cars with full fastback rooflines, had failed to set the showrooms on fire. And the styling critics weren’t terribly kind to these two fastbacks, either. But Ford had covered its bets in its redesign of the Fairlane for 1968, offering a conventional notchback hardtop coupe along with the Fastback. Now the buyers would decide.

Fairlane 500 Fastback and Sport Coupe 

The Fairlane lineup for ’68 included four models and a new name: Fairlane, Fairlane 500, Torino, and Torino GT. (The name Torino was earlier considered for the car that became the 1965 Mustang.) The Fastback body style was offered in two of them, Fairlane 500 and Torino GT. At  the Fairlane 500 trim level, the Sport Coupe and Fastback sold in nearly equal numbers. But on the sport-luxury Torino GT, the Fastback outsold the Sport Coupe by three to one. Vice President of Styling Gene Bordinat and his design crew had gotten it right.

Torino GT standard (left) and optional interiors 

Despite its muscle-car badging, standard C-stripes, and presentation, the Torino GT’s standard engine was a 302 cubic-inch V8 with a mere 210 hp. At extra cost, two FE-series 390 CID V8s were offered with 265 hp (two-barrel) or 325 hp (four-barrel, premium fuel). Car Life magazine tested a Torino GT with the 325 hp V8 and Cruise-o-matic and strolled through the quarter mile in 15.8 seconds at 90 mph—barely worthy of muscle car status.

A 427 cubic-inch Cobra V8 with hydraulic valve lifters, a 10.9: compression ratio, and 390 hp was listed as available. However, the Ford experts are certain no such cars were actually produced. But in the spring of ’68 the 428 CID Cobra Jet V8 was introduced, cleverly assembled and grossly underrated at 335 hp, and now the Fairlane and Torino became bona fide muscle car contenders. It’s said the CJ’s output was actually closer to 400 hp.

Overall, the Fairlane’s 1968 restyle was a success. In the previous generation, volume had fallen from 317,000 units in ’66 to 239,000 in ’67, a less than encouraging trend. But with the ’68 makeover (essentially a reskin), production more than recovered, topping 372,000 cars. Of that total, more than 106,000 were slant-roof models, easily earning their place in the Fairlane/Torino lineup. Rebranded as the SportsRoof, the Fastback body style was continued for ’69.