Last week we presented the first part of our selection of cars from 1968, which see Abraham in 2018. In the revolutionary year in more ways, more newcomers came into the picture. This week we are again placing a number of jubilees from 1968 in the picture. Special cars, which made their appearance within the range of cars in that fascinating car year.
Jaguar XJ Series 1
It is of all the novices presented in 1968 the car, which cast its design shadow furthest in the outer sense. The Jaguar XJ Series 1 was promoted by Sir William Lyons as The Finest Jaguar ever. The new Jaguar successor to the 240, the 340, the S-Type and the 420- enchanted by its mix of dynamic and elegant lines and the sporty passenger compartment. Power and elegance came together beautifully with this XJ. The luxury sports sedan also attracted by the use of materials that represented British nobility. He debuted with the 2.8 and 4.2 six cylinder engines. In 1972 De V12 followed. The riding qualities Of the DJs were unsurpassed, but certainly in the early years, the Jaguars were not entirely of undisputed behavior. Yet the design was so strong that Jaguar could actually handle it up to 2009 for the following XJ generations. The first generation got a successor in 1973. That was the Jaguar XJ Series 2.
Oldsmobile 4-4-2
The model change for 1968 inspired the GM subsidiary Oldsmobile to use the equipment level 4-4-2 independently for more peppery Oldsmobiles. They were again inspired by the F-85 and the Cutlass. The newcomers were available as coupé and convertible. The secret of the 4-4-2 was visible under the hood, where the bronze-lacquered 6.5 liter engine with 350 PK housed. The collaboration between Oldsmobile and Hurst also started in 1968, which turned the already peppered 4-4-2 versions into true Muscle-Cars. The Hurst / Olds was available with two variants of the Olds V8 455 engine and that meant: 7.5 liters of cylinder capacity. From 1970 onwards, the regular versions of the 4-4-2 also received the 455 cubic-inch motor as standard motorization.
Opel GT
Enthusiasts had been waiting for some years before the Opel GT with coke bottle shape was presented in 1968. The Opel GT unveiled in Dudenhofen was built in two countries. In France, both bodywork and finishing were taken care of. After completion, the GT bodies were transported to Bochum in Germany, where they were fitted with the modified Kadett-B chassis. Opel optionally supplied the 1.1 engine from the Kadett and the modified 1.9 CIH engine from the Rekord. The light motorized variant of the GT disappeared in 1970, and that's what the GT / J came back for. Ultimately, production of the GT ceased in 1973. Competition considerations in France and American safety requirements meant the early Waterloo of this beautiful Opel.
Mercedes Benz Strich 8 (W114 / W115)
In fact, the first models of the new Mercedes Benz Strich 8 were taken into 1967 production. However, the official presentation date is 9 January 1968. That is why we place this Mercedes-Benz in our overview again. The new Mercedes mid-sized car, signed by Paul Bracq, replaced the W110 (small Heckflosse) and was available in four (W115) and six cylinder (W114) petrol versions. Mercedes Benz also offered two diesel variants, being the 200 D and the 220 D. The demand for the Strich 8 was so great that Mercedes-Benz was faced with waiting lists for the model. A strong makeover followed in 1973. As the first production car in the world, the Benz was also available as a 240 D 3.0 with a five-cylinder diesel engine. The W114 / W115 was also available as a coupé from 1969. Mercedes-Benz also built longversions. Later this year we will take a close look at this important Mercedes-Benz generation.
