Ford adopted a “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” approach when developing the 1969 Mustang Boss 302. Produced purely as a homologation special for the cut-throat Trans Am Series, its engine bay housed a very special V8 that proved up to the challenges of competition life. This Boss is a survivor with only a few minor upgrades. Its lack of significant rust is a bonus, and with only 59,000 miles on the clock, it should offer its new owner years of faithful service. The seller has listed the Mustang here on eBay in Hickman, Nebraska. They set their BIN at $69,250 with the option to make an offer.

The Trans Am Series was at the height of its power during the 1960s and early 1970s, luring manufacturers seeking their taste of glory. Ford was no exception, releasing the Mustang Boss 302 in 1969. It only remained available for two years, but has become one of the most desirable versions of the First Generation Mustangs in the classic market. The seller states that this Boss is a survivor, wearing around 95% of its original Code 9 Bright Yellow paint. Close inspection reveals a selection of marks and imperfections, but it still shines nicely. The panels are straight, and the car retains features like the front and rear spoilers, and the optional Sport Slats on the back window. The underside shots confirm that the vehicle hasn’t suffered due to severe rust, but there are a few minor external areas of steel penetration requiring attention. Well-executed patches may be a viable alternative, and if the shop performing the work can effectively blend the new paint, a cosmetic refresh may prove unnecessary. I’m not a fan of the wheels that were only recently added, and would probably swap them out to retain as much authenticity as possible.

It was possible to order almost any 1969 Mustang with a 302ci V8 under the hood, but Ford produced a special version that was exclusively available in the Boss variant. The engine block was a different casting, featuring a higher nickel content and four-bolt mains for improved reliability. The 351ci Cleveland V8 was under development, and the company used the cylinder heads from that motor for improved breathing. The results justified the effort, with the Boss 302 developing an “official” 290hp and 290 ft/lbs of torque. I use the word “official” because the consensus is that Ford significantly understated the true potential of these motors. The Boss 302 was manual-only territory, with buyers able to choose between wide and close-ratio four-speed units. The seller confirms that this Mustang is numbers-matching and that the only mechanical issue is a small power steering fluid leak. That should be easy to address, making this a turnkey proposition for its new owner.

The originality of this Mustang continues when we examine its interior. The previous owner fitted a dash cap to address the typical crumbling speaker opening, a set of speakers has been cut into the rear passenger compartment plastic, and there is a column-mounted tachometer. Otherwise, it is as it left the factory. The Black vinyl trim is in good order, with the same true of the carpet. The headliner is excellent, and there is no evidence of abuse or neglect. It isn’t heavily optioned, with the first owner only ticking the box beside the AM radio as a creature comfort.

The days of homologation specials are seemingly over as an ever-growing range of motorsport categories adopt what I refer to as a “cookie-cutter” approach. NASCAR adopted a control platform many years ago, with only the panels and engines separating one brand from another. We will probably never see the likes of the 1969 Mustang Boss 302 again, because there is no genuine need for companies to produce them. That makes the preservation of these classics critical, and our feature car is a prime candidate for that approach. Addressing its minor rust and reversing the few changes without performing a complete repaint would protect its survivor credentials, allowing it to command as much respect as it would if someone returned it to a factory-fresh state. Do you agree?