The 1968 Ford Falcon remained tried and true, still featuring seven models. A new aluminum mesh grille with a center split was an attractive update, with parking lights redesigned and set into bumper slots. Out back, taillights were slightly altered with a more squarish variation of the trademark Ford taillights. Government-mandated side markers were added to all four corners, while the front fender exhaust ports from the previous year were removed. Inside, the dashboard and instrument cluster were completely redesigned, now featuring a sweeping needle speedometer surrounded by easy-to-reach switches and warning lights. An FM radio made its first appearance on the Ford Falcon’s option list.

Ford considered standard Falcon sedans “family-size cars with very saving ways.” Marginal changes were fewer than in previous years, with Ford emphasizing Falcon’s value per dollar.

The same could be said about the Ford Falcon Futura. “Budget-pleasers can be beautiful,” Ford claimed. The Club Coupe and Four-door sedan continued to offer value with a bit of convenience and luxury, while the Futura Sports Coupe stayed true to its name courtesy of bucket seats. An accent stripe and standard 200 cid six distinguished the Sports Coupe from other Falcon Futuras.

Wagons featured minimal changes, with the 200 six remaining as the standard power plant.

Perhaps the biggest change for the 1968 Falcon was under the hood, as all engines experienced a slight shift in horsepower. Both the 170 and 200 sixes fell 5 to 100 and 115 horses, respectively. The 289 2-barrel also fell 5 horses to 195, and the 4-barrel version was dropped. In its place was a new premium fuel 302 4-barrel, with 230 horses. Standard transmission for all engines was now the Synchro-Smooth fully synchronized 3-speed manual, with SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic being optional. V-8s could be paired with the 4-speed manual, too.

Even though the Ford Falcon was coasting through its life cycle, there could be nowhere to go except up after the dismal sales of 1967. While not great compared to 1966, the 131,389 was more than double than the previous year’s sales.