Ford produced the Boss 302 for two years, 1969 and 1970, to help improve its standing in auto racing, specifically the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). Its 302 cubic inch V8 differed from the one in Ford’s family sedans, producing 290 hp in street form. 8,641 copies were built in total, with more than 7,000 in 1970 alone. This example needs some cosmetic TLC and is making a rare appearance at Mecum auctions as a project car. It will be available here on Mecum from October 5 to 7, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Mustang sales numbers had declined every year since 1966, so a boost was needed to bring buyers back to the showrooms. Was the Boss 302 the answer? Who knows, as its production numbers didn’t make much of a dent in the sales drop that would continue through 1973. There were two Boss models offered, the other being a 429 V8 that made the car more nose-heavy, so the Boss 302 was considered to be nimbler. Visible signs of the Boss (besides the stickers) were its body stripes, rear window shade, and blacked-out hood. Ford execs chose the name of the car as a salute to then-Ford president Bunkie Knudson and the car delivered him a Trans Am championship in 1970.
We don’t know a lot about this car, such as important things like “Does it run?” The 302 V8 is paired with a 4-speed manual, power brakes, dual exhaust, a shaker hood, and spoilers, fore and aft. The Ford wears Medium Lime paint which looks okay except for the driver’s side rear-quarter panel and door with its red primer. We assume that a small dent or a little rust was repaired, but no mention is made of that.
The matching interior also looks okay, but the driver’s bucket seat is worn as is parts of the carpeting. If your goal was a total restoration, this one should give a solid start – or you might just drive it the way it is for a while. When was the last time you saw a Boss 302 (except at a show)?
Agreed 👍 Shawn
Just over 3200lbs
3.50 std gear ⚙️
A Driver’s automobile.
If it has a Marti report then it’s probably a 1 of 1 car.
Haha how true!
It would make a great nostalgic “vintage beater”! A real flashback to what teenager’s classic cars often looked like in the 1980’s. Love it.
Even in the ’80’s it was tough for a teenager to afford a Boss 302. They were always expensive compared to the beater Camaro, Mustang and Duster offerings. I desperately wanted one, but could never come up with the scratch.
Every once in a while though a good deal could be found. Back about 1980 or 1981 I bought a 1969 Boss 302 for $250. It had been raced so of course the original engine was gone but I did not care. I bought it anyway. It still had the original 4 speed and N case 3.91 rear in it. The interior was all original and in good condition. Well worth the price I paid. I still own the car today. And just for the record it is not a Mustang, it is a Cougar Eliminator.
I was thinking almost the exact same thing! Get the mechanicals 100%, give it a super cleaning then add some aluminum slots and obnoxious mufflers. It would be 1983 all over again!
Give me those unobtanium 15” trim rings then! Always loved that Ford dog dish /trim ring combo. Usually they’re only 14”.
Speaking of “unobtanium”, this one appears to have an intact smog system, and the rev limiter.
I was in touch with a small family run wrecking yard in the early 80’s, and they told me they scrapped a 69 or 70 Mustang, weirdest thing, it had 15″ rims, and a factory roll cage. They kept the cylinder heads. They had no idea what they had..
A factory roll cage? I doubt it.
While I am generally a GM person, I happen to get a project 70 from a longtime friend who is just not into cars anymore. Love the look but project has stalled looking for a power steering center link! Months and nada.
GM cars these are not!
If you want to unload your ’70, let me know. I’ve been looking for a ’69 or ’70 myself.
You cannot find a PS center link for a 1970 Mustang? I can walk over to a shelf right now and probably find 5 or 6 of them. Of course they are all used ones but that should not be a problem.
Nobody has them
Not reproduced
Where you located?
Close to Hershey PA.
I am in California :( Not sure why I see people listing 69-70 links as they are different
No idea how to contact thru BF?
I’m pretty sure the hammer price at the Mecum Auction will put this way out of range of those who want to “fix as needed and daily drive it”. This one will be fully restored and sold for $$$$$.
The 302 is the best all-around mustang no matter what the years. Somebody’s going to pay a lot of money but hopefully they won’t keep it in the garage or museum.
Only two Boss models? Nope. There were three: Boss 302, Boss 351, Boss 429. As the author stated, Boss 302 and Boss 429 were produced in 1969 and 1970. The Boss 351 was produced in 1971. There were 1,806 produced. Boss 351 was rated at 330hp and 370ft/tq. Internals were different with forged crankshaft, forged connecting rods, 11.1:1 compression, and solid lifter camshaft.
My mom had a 71 notchback with a 302 2v 3 speed transmission. Not super fast but fun to drive. Was racing a beat up 72 charger down State St. Passed a late 60’s dodge pickup driving in the center lane at about 70 mph and I’ll be da$@ed if the driver of the charger didn’t slam into the back of that dodge. Went back to check on everyone and the charger was about 1/3 shorter than it’s original length and driving down the right lane at about 25 mph. A friend seen it the next day about 5 miles down the road behind a 7-11 with cops crawling all over it. Oh the good times we had in our youth. Funny thing was, it didn’t even bend the back bumper of the truck even though it spun them around and put them in the left turning lane on the other side of the road as if they were turning left. Crazy!
SOLD for $37,400.