Average Joe Restoration

Consignment # 39-1091
VIN:   0T02G133268

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If Ford was embarrassed that its finest Mustang muscle cars were partly the handiwork of the same guys who developed the best Chevrolet Camaros, they certainly admitted to it. At any rate, revenge ended up being quite sweet with the 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302. Enter former General Motors executive Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen, the father of performance Pontiacs including the GTO, who defected to become president of Ford in early 1968. Better still, Bunkie brought along stylist Larry Shinoda, whose work included not only the C3 Corvette but also the Z/28 that had come from nowhere to unseat Mustang in both the 1968 and 1969 Trans Am Championships. While the edgy Mach 1 was among their first efforts, the most significant and hands-down special '69 and '70 Mustangs drew on Shinoda's nickname for Knudsen, "Boss".

Like the Z/28, Ford’s Mustang Boss 302 was built as a Trans Am road-racing qualifier. At its heart was Ford's 302-cid V-8 from the regular Mustang Mach 1, but treated to the high-performance, big-port cylinder heads being readied for the famous Cleveland 351. The Boss's solid-lifter small-block used the biggest carb employed by Ford, a 780-cfm Holley four-barrel, and was underrated at the same 290hp as the Z/28's 302. A Hurst-shifted four speed and 3.50:1 gears were standard; 3.91:1 and Detroit Locker 4.30:1 cogs were optional. Underneath were racing-inspired suspension modifications, Good-Year Polyglas F60xl5 rubber and power front disc brakes. But power was nothing without a slippery exterior. Shinoda's expertise in aerodynamics greatly influenced the Boss's exterior. Mustang's phony fender vents were enclosed and a front spoiler was fitted; a rear air foil and rear window “Sport Slats” were optional. In a final exclusive touch, blackout trim and stripes finished the look.

Ford would build 1,628 Boss 302s for '69, then came back with 7,013 for '70, when quad headlamps were traded for double units flanked by fake air intakes. Additionally, a "shaker" hood scoop was made available, and the engine got smaller intake valves and a 6000-rpm rev limiter. In Trans Am, racing Boss 302s handily retook the crown from Chevy in 1970. While street versions weren't always as fast as a 302 Z/28, they had more cornering power and a less-peaky, more-flexible engine with plenty of low-end torque. "The Boss 302 is a hell of an enthusiast's car," said Car and Driver. "It's what the Shelby GT 350s and 500s should have been but weren't."

Offered here is a 1970 Medium Lime Metallic Boss 302 that just received a complete nut-and-bolt rotisserie to Mustang Club of America specifications. Completed in August 2007 by one of the best Boss and Shelby restoration shops on the East Coast, the restoration performed began with a very correct car down to the numbers-matching DOZE engine, smog system, and factory markings. Optional equipment includes factory-installed shaker hood, wide ratio four-speed transmission, Magnum 500 wheels with Good-Year Polyglas tires, rear deck spoiler and rear window sport slats. According to the included Deluxe Marti Report, this Boss was sold new at Welford-Harris Ford in Siler City, NC on Christmas Eve 1969 and until recently spent its entire life in North Carolina. Whether you look outside, inside or beneath this Boss 302, you’ll find that no detail was ignored and no issues exist to prevent immediate – and very gratifying – enjoyment of this special car.