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Boss 302 in the Barn

Boss-302

Now this is the kind of sight we dream of! You can tell that what’s hiding inside is a late 60’s Ford Mustang, but it’s so much more than just your basic pony car. This is a low mileage 1969 Mustang Boss 302 survivor. After being parked in this barn for 30 years or so, it is now waiting for a new owner to get it back on the road. It has been pulled from its New Hampshire barn and is now offered here on eBay.

Boss-in-the-barn

It sounds like this Boss lived a bit of a wild life before it was parked in the barn. After a year of ownership, the original owner decided to try out the race proven performance of the 302 by attempting to outrun authorities. He might have been successful with his escape, but he slid the car into a fire hydrant damaging the left front fender. The owner lost their license and the Boss was parked until ’71, when it was sold to the second owner. Even though the damage was repaired, it didn’t see much use and was eventually parked in the barn and forgotten.

Boss-302-4v

The Boss 302 derives its name from the 302 cui V8 that’s sitting under its hood. This special high performance engine was the result of combining two Ford V8s. The block is a tunnel ported and reinforced Windsor block and the heads were pulled from the 351 cui Cleveland. The combination added up to a very rev happy and durable V8. This engine currently isn’t running, but the seller claims it turns freely.

Boss-Mustang

To make the Boss 302 Mustang a real Trans Am competitor meant the car needed to do more than go in a straight line. Larry Shinoda, the Boss 302’s designer, knew from his experience working at GM that to compete with the Camaro Z/28, the Mustang was going to need an improved suspension and better aerodynamics. The suspension was overhauled and front and rear spoilers were attached to help keep the car tight to the ground.

Boss-302-interior

The Boss 302’s interior isn’t anything special, but that was the point. It was kept as simple as possible to keep weight down and give it more of a race car feel. There were a few optional creature comforts available though, such as the AM radio. This interior is dirty, but solid and complete. The odometer currently shows just 43k miles, which would explain why the interior is in such nice shape. While we would love to take a seat in this Boss, we are a little concerned about that crash. Hopefully there wasn’t any serious structural damage that might impact handling and drivability.

Mustang-Boss

The Boss 302 is one of the most sought after versions of the Mustang and while we would love to have one, we can’t help but wonder if they are really worth the kind of money they fetch. Having never driven one, we can’t make a judgment though. Perhaps one of you who has more experience with the Boss can fill us in on what it is like to drive one and if it’s worth all that cash?

Comments

  1. Avatar Fred Cooper

    Electrifying to drive. Big ports in the Holley meant you had to keep the revs up and feed the beast. Scared my wife to death and missed a chance to buy it in 1986 for $5,500. Calypso Coral. Friend bought it and is completing a frame-up restoration. Blueprinted the motor at 502 HP. What a car!

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    • Avatar Stephen Wilson

      Had my ’70 Boss 302 on a dyno in Annandale, VA in the late ’70s. 345 HP at the rear wheels with one wonky plug wire.

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  2. Avatar readallover

    Perhaps it is my suspicious nature, but I have my doubts. A little too clean for 30 years, even with the cover. The polyglas tires are a nice touch, and they all still hold air with no creases in the sidewalls… but they are filthy and the wheels are relatively clean. Mileage could be 100,000 more the odo cannot say. But if the numbers match… I guess I doubt the 30 years in this particular barn. I must be jaded by all those years of Barrett-Jackson.

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  3. Avatar Charles

    Way Cool! Nice barn find!

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  4. Avatar Don Andreina

    The 69 has the edge in looks over the 70 which makes this double nice. What a great specimen. I remember a friend had a red plastic ride-on version. You sat on the roof with a steering bar sticking out of the bonnet.

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  5. Avatar Charles

    Back in the day I owned a 69 Shelby drag pack car and a 70 GT 350 with all the trim and factory air. Shelby’s had the same unitized body as the Mustang with lots of fiberglass parts such as the front fenders/hood, trunk lid and such. None of those items were made well and they did not fit the cars very well, which cheapened the whole car. The hood springs would cause the fiberglass hoods to bow and crack. The 70 Shelby’s were actually unsold 69 models that were retitled as 70 models. The 69 Mustang had smaller rear marker lights then the 70 model did. If you look at a 70 Shelby you will see that the rear marker lights are the 69 version.

    The 69 Mustang is definately the high water mark for Mustangs. To me the Mustang itself was a better car then the Shelby since the car was all steel, and everything just seemed to fit better. This car looks to be in very nice condition, and it should not too difficult to get her back on the road. I would venture to say that we will see this one cross the auction line at one of the big muscle car auctions sometime in the near furture.

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  6. Avatar Gary Fogg

    My best friend owns a 69 Mach One, his is only a 390 car but it is built far past stock. I have driven this car a lot, driven the hell out of it actually, and yea, they are worth it. We also have a friend who is stinking rich, owns many cobras and real Shelby cars, builds replicas, etc. I have driven one of his copy cat Boss 302 cars and it was a blast for sure, but it was not “real”. but as close as you can get at 1/3rd the price.

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  7. Avatar rancho bella

    The things you find in barns……….go figure. If the pistons are the originals……..take em’ out now. Although the ’70 B2 is my cup o’ tea this wouldn’t be a bad find.
    The harder you push a B2 into a sweep the better it handles and the engines are a pure delight to listen to. Something about early Ford solid lifters engines are sooo sweet.
    Hunting down the original parts will be expensive but worthwhile. The money is in making it original as possible. Although prices have softened, like many cars, if this can be purchased right then the buyer shouldn’t get spank to hard.

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  8. Avatar George Michael Briggs

    This particular car isn’t a real Boss 302 car. There were many 302 cubic inch engines available during the 1968-1973 years. The correct Boss engines had heads similar to the hemi engines. This is just a plain old 302, nothing unusual.

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    • Avatar Stephen Wilson

      The Boss 429 had heads similar to a 426 Hemi in that the plugs went through the center of the valve covers. The Boss 302s had “semi-hemi” chambers – cantered valves – and the plugs went into the side of the head like a “normal” engine. The ends of 351 Cleveland 4-bbl heads (from which Boss 302 heads were derived) were much more squared off than Windsor heads. You don’t get a spot-on view from the eBay photos but the ends of the heads look properly squared off from what I can see. Doesn’t conclusively prove this is a Boss 302 engine but squared off heads are consistent with one.

      Like 0
    • Avatar rancho bella

      George Michael,
      let me see if I can help you out a little. The Vin indicates this is a B2. Soooo, yep, it is a Boss 302 car.

      Like 0
  9. Avatar paul

    Nice, what no the dust, I guess they thought to keep lot’s of snakes around the car to keep the mice & rats away.

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    • Avatar rancho bella

      I took another look……….now that……..is a barn. Looks to have wood floors?

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  10. Avatar Dirty Dingus McGee

    Slight correction to the article;

    Car was pulled from a barn in New Hampshire, and is now in Wisconsin.

    Given that it was a Northeast car, I would look a the underside before purchasing it. Unless the car was washed frequently, or parked in the winter, there might be some hidden rust that could be an issue.

    Nice find either way.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Josh Staff

      At the time of writing, the seller hadn’t given the barn’s location or much of the car’s history, but has since added more information. Thanks for bringing it to our attention! The post has been updated with this new info.

      Like 0
  11. Avatar jean lecointe

    What about a look behind the other doors of the barn?

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    • Avatar Josh Staff

      I’m curious to see what else is hiding in that barn too. With all those doors, there could be a lot of great finds in there!

      Like 0
  12. Avatar Stephen Wilson

    I have a ’70 Boss 302 I purchased in June, 1978, which has also been in storage 30+ years: since 1982, when I went overseas for my career. I didn’t yet know how to drive a manual transmission when I bought it so my father had to drive it home for me. That man was already a curmudgeon by then so started complaining as soon as he pulled it out of the little car dealer’s parking area onto US 1 North, and its 35 mph speed limit in that area. The car doesn’t have power steering so, “This thing drives like a truck!” was heard over and over. Pulling away from a red light or two, he’d gripe again, “This thing drives like a truck! And you traded in a NEW Mustang II for it?!? You’ve been ripped off, boy…and it’s way overpowered!” We pulled off on a side road on the way home to tank up. As he pulled out of the gas station and turned left to head back toward US 1 North, he accidentally lit up the rear wheels and fish-tailed a bit. He shook his head and bitched again “This thing is WAAAY overpowered!” but this time he had a big smile on his face. As part of a divorce my ex tried to claim it was worth $200K and wanted me to buy her out of it, however, I had it appraised in April, 2013, and as is – still in storage with 64K miles and in about the same condition as the one above as far as I can tell – it came in at $14K. When I told the appraiser of her claim, he laughed and said in pristine shape a ’70 Boss 302 would be $60-80K.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar MH in MN

    I’m not a ford guy but if I found this car I would keep it for myself and not sell.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Jim

    They are hot, loud, and overall uncomfortable for long trips. They are a one car, car show everywhere you go and an absolute kick to drive. I have owned 3 different Bosses and they are worth every penny.
    0F02G120967

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    • Avatar Stephen Wilson

      Longest trip I ever took in mine was a Woodbridge, VA to Syracuse, NY to visit my cousins over a Labor Day weekend in the late ’70’s. Got into a “convoy” (remember CB’s were all the rage in the late ’70’s) and averaged around 80-85 mph all the way. Great drive that time of year but if it were in one of those Virginia sauna summers, stuck in traffic, I’d be hating life. Got about 16 mpg on the VA/NY trip. Puttering around Fredericksburg, VA in stop and go traffic a few years later I calculated I got about 10 mpg.

      …but it held the road like a magnet, even at 100+ (and I won’t say where I did that.)

      Like 0
  15. Avatar Dolphin Member

    I think that should be: ….Larry Shinoda, the Boss 302′s designer…..

    Like 0
    • Avatar Josh Staff

      Thanks for catching that! It’s been fixed.

      Like 0
  16. Avatar Kiwi Customs

    This is a beautiful find. I am curious of it’s true condition though given that it is now at a Classic Car Restoration shop in Wisconsin and the pictures and description are less than complete!

    I asked the seller a couple of questions including:
    1/ Was the engine started and/or does it even run?
    2/ Any evidence of animal/rodent activity?
    3/ It looks like the car is sitting low in the back, what is the state of the rear shocks and springs?
    4/ Any rust in the floors or for that matter any where in the car?

    It always amazes me that people are willing to spend this kind of money without all of the information. They see a shiny blue Boss 302 and think it is a bargain!

    I would be interested in putting this back on the road but there are too many missing details to even make a bid.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Kiwi Customs

      Here is the response from the seller for my questions if anyone is interested!

      “The Boss is an amazing piece. We never started this car, all we did was lube the cylinders, turn it over to ensure it is not frozen. There were at some point resident mice. I don’t see any visible damage to the upholstery or wiring. Rear leaf spring seem a little flat. The body is in great condition. It is very solid and the only rust found during our inspection was superficial and surface rust only. The lower right fender has an area of surface rust that is visible where the paint was thin and the trunk lip has some evidence of three or four rust spots.”

      Like 0
  17. Avatar Alan

    I’m with @jean lecointe….

    There are a LOT of doors on that barn, what is behind the rest of them?

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Alan

    An item of curiosity regarding the description here on BF: The way I read the eBay information, it was not the first owner, but the second who was guilty of the fleeing/eluding into a hydrant. The subsequent loss of license after being snagged was the reason for the mothballing of the car. The repair of the fender had already been done before the arrest, as part of the attempt to hide culpability. That would mean the driver did indeed get away from the police on the night of the accident, and it may have taken a couple of weeks for investigators to hunt down the culprit. Not mentioned in the listing is the date of the temporary tag on the rear of the car. This all might have taken place within a month after the second owner took posession?

    Now, that adds a bit of “Gone in 60 Seconds” flavor to the car’s provenance!

    One other thought: I’m wondering why the current owner waited until right now to offer the car up on eBay. It was de-barned at the end of July this past summer. There must be some financial reason to wait until after the 13/14 calendar change.

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Alan

    The plot thickens?

    @ George Michael Briggs, I really don’t know much about Fords of that era, our family always had GM. The engine code is shown in the photos as “G”, and that appears to be the Boss motor. I found a photo of a restored ’69 engine compartment here: http://www.onlymustangfords.com/images/1969-boss-302-engine.jpg
    and that sure looks like the valve covers are the same.

    Like 0
  20. Avatar Charles

    This looks like a “rent-a-barn”-find. Next week: Door #8.

    Like 0
  21. Avatar jim s

    i would have liked this more if it was a six with a 3 speed as it would be more likely to become a driver or daily driver. still a great find. and i too would like to know what else is in the barn

    Like 0
  22. Avatar Boss Lover

    “Story” indeed….

    At $65,100 – I’m gonna call bull$#!+ on this auction. 3 guys bidding against each other 24 hours before the auction ends taking it from $36k to $65k in less than an hour. One bidder responsible for 39 out of 79 bids???

    Why are the strut rods, exhaust and driveshaft covered in heavy scaly rust, yet the valve covers, bumpers and magnums don’t have any pitting or rust whatsoever? Why are the lead wheel weights on the wheels so shiny? Doesn’t lead tarnish and start to look like magnesium in like 3 months – seems to here in eastern WA where we have NO RUST.

    This car was detailed before they pulled it out of the barn and should have argent magnums on it according to the Marti.

    Also – if it was hit on the driver’s side, why have all the fender bolts on the passenger fender been changed? How many versions of the chase story are there?

    There are a few things about this car that just don’t add up and since it is a dealer that is selling it I would argue caution on this one. It was interesting until it got stupid.

    So unfortunate it ended up in the hands of a used car salesman.

    my .02

    Like 0
    • Avatar Stephen Wilson

      I’m suspicious too since my ’70, also in storage for 30+ years (see my earlier post,) in similar condition was professionally appraised at $14,000 last April. I know ’69’s aren’t as plentiful as ’70’s, that mine has more miles, and has a little rust, but the appraiser said PRISTINE ’70’s were worth $60-80K and the bidding on this ’69 is already at that level, “as is?”. And now, Yahoo News is posting this car? Not that I don’t think this is a genuine ’69 Boss 302. I’m just suspicious of the marketing and bidding.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Alan

      Um, yea….
      It seems as though there is more than a little of a doctorate being applied here. You know, the PHD effect? Piled Higher and Deeper….

      Like 0
      • Avatar Boss Lover

        PHD for sure. My brother has an original paint 69 B2 and I have 2 – 4:30 original paint B2’s. The only people bidding on this car at this point are either working with the seller or individuals fighting for air because their heads are clearly jammed where the sun don’t shine. Kinda reminds me of the Barrett-Jackson Boss 302 that ended up in the valley here. Local guy bought it for $70k at Barrett exactly 2 years after it had crossed the exact same block for $143k. In the case of that car and this car, stupidity will be what it should be in every case……..painfull!!

        Like 0
  23. Avatar Paul G

    $70plusK with a few hours left…
    Bidder must’ve missed the Lambrecht auction

    Like 0
  24. Avatar jim s

    sold for $74100. will it stay sold or get relisted, that is the question!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Stephen Wilson

      Yeah, great. Benefit of the doubt and it IS a ’69 B2, but that selling price still doesn’t seem to make sense. I think someone is going to get ripped off on this car.

      Like 0
  25. Avatar Charles

    A whole lot of BS with this auction. I wonder what their end game is?

    Like 0

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