Introduced in April 1964, the Ford Mustang had already spawned a pair of Shelby models and a performance-oriented GT version by 1968. The following year, however, Ford launched three more variants with a focus on performance. The 1969 lineup included the Mach 1 and a pair of homologation specials with "Boss" badges.
Unlike the Mach 1, which was essentially a package available with a variety of engines, the Boss 302 and 429 had exclusive gear under the hood. The Boss 429 hit showroom floors with a 429-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8 designed for NASCAR. Homologated in the limited-edition Mustang, the 375-horsepower mill powered the Ford Torino Talladega to victory on the oval tracks.
The Boss 302 was nowhere near as powerful but also featured a unique stripe package and an exclusive powerplant. Developed to homologate the Mustang for SCCA Trans-Am regulations, it featured a 302-cubic-inch (4.9-liter) V8 with a bespoke setup that included a stronger four-bolt main crankshaft bearing, threaded compression freeze plugs, and larger valves from the 351-cubic-inch (5.8-liter) Cleveland engine. The unit was rated at 290 horsepower, 80 more than the standard 302 small block.
Both Boss models returned for the 1970 model year with identical output figures and updated designs. With 1,356 units delivered over two model years, the Boss 429 is the rarest of the bunch. The Boss 302 moved 1,628 examples in 1969 and 7,013 units in 1970.
While it's nowhere near as rare as the Boss 429, the Boss 302 is also one of the scarcest first-generation Mustangs. Especially since many were abandoned over the years. The light gold example you see here is one of those rigs.
Found by YouTube's "The Cougar Eliminator Den" in 2023, this Mustang spent a whopping 30 years in a field. It was parked next to a 1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator, which also featured a Boss 302 powerplant. The muscle car sat under full exposure to the elements, so it was retrieved with various issues.
Not surprisingly, the Boss 302 has a crusty layer of paint, some surface corrosion, and even a few rust holes. But it's in better shape than expected for a vehicle parked this long. And most body panels still sport original paint, which is a rare feat.
The interior doesn't look terrible at first glance, but it's missing the original front seats, which have been replaced by Deluxe units. However, when the seats and carpets were removed, our host found severe rust issues in the floor pans.
As you might have already guessed, the V8 engine doesn't run and will need more than just a bit of maintenance to spring back to life. It's not all bad news, though, because this Stang still packs a numbers-matching mill. Check it out in the video below, and tell me if it's worth restoring.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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