It’s not uncommon for car people to collect (or want to collect) cars that their parents owned. In his younger days, my dad drove a Grabber Lime ’71 Mach 1, so seeing old slides of that car started me out young as a fan of the big, polarizing Sportsroof Mustangs. Seeing them in person over the years, I eventually decided that I wanted a Light Pewter Metallic Boss 351. Just like this one.
My collecting life has encompassed a wide variety of vehicles from America’s Big Three, but as of yet, I have not owned a Boss Mustang, and now I fear they have been priced out of my reach forever. For example, the owner of this Boss is asking $83,900, which seems like a lot, but it’s not the dawn of the 21st century anymore. Hagerty’s valuation tool says that a #2 example of a Boss 351 is worth $91,200, and a #3 example is worth $64,400. That’s pretty heady stuff.
I’m not sure which number applies to this car, but the owner says it was in a Ford dealer’s personal collection. With one repaint 15 years ago and a professional engine rebuild, it appears to have been well-maintained. It does, however, need a new headliner, which will come with the car, and I would imagine that will be a bargaining chip for anyone who’s serious about buying it.
The engine is what makes the Boss 351 special, because it is arguably the most well-rounded street engine of the ’69-’71 Boss era. With a solid-lifter cam to make use of those gargantuan intake ports, contemporary magazines proved that the 351 was capable of high-13/low-14 second quarter-mile times, which was neck and neck with big-block Mustangs.
The seller includes a few slightly fuzzy pictures of the undercarriage, but it looks clean and solid. It’s not detailed for show, but it would make for a great driver, and who could resist seeing if those old magazine tests were true?
Like any good high-dollar Mustang, this one comes with a Marti report showing that it’s everything the owner says it is. If, like me, you long ago set your sights on a Light Pewter Metallic Boss 351, and you have the pecuniary wherewithal to make it happen, this might be your car. It’s currently for sale on Craigslist in Iowa. Thanks (as always) to T.J. for finding this beauty and making me a little bit envious today.
Ah, ye ‘ole Mail Slot Mustang!
Nice and a manual.
All BOSS Mustangs were manuals. No Autos were available.
Nice car. I missed out one one when they were still inexpensive. Nice to see it still has the original T-handle for the shifter.
Steve R
I’m with you Aaron, the Light Pewter Boss 351’s looked great, with all of the offsetting black panels and stripes. Performance was fine too. Sharp car. Desirable too, as evidenced by the prices these fetch.
My Absolute favorite Ford powertrain of all time. If only they would’ve continued 70 Mustang one more year. These porky 71s were such a step backwards. What I wish ford would’ve done: 1971 Boss 351 Maverick stirred With some good suspension and brakes. Would have been a Lightweight, simple, killer combination…..
Glad they didn’t use 1 of the 1806 in “Gone in 60 sec” 1974 movie. lol
An interesting race would be this vs a ’73 sd-455 firebird.
Love it. Somebody optioned out a rocket here. 3.91 ⚙️ trac-lok, close-ratio 4sp.
And my favorite Mustang motor the
4V-351 🙌
I have always wanted a 1970 MUSTANG FASTBACK (I know) 351-4V 4-speed , and just make it a street pounder. But, to have a 71 BOSS 351, the ultimate and I believe the fastest Mustang from back in the good ol days, probably a dream that won’t come true for me. I have other cars to play with.
Had a 72. Loved the styling of the roof sloping back to the tail.
Just that it was b*tch to back up!
One year only model.
Minor Correction:
Ford Mustang Mach 1
Production years 1969–1978 2003–2004 2021–2023
He’s talking about the engine. 71 only.
A waitress at my first job had a royal blue one and she would intentionally pepper us with rocks when she’d pull off the parking lot. I didn’t like that but I have to say that 351 Cleveland was no joke. This new generation Mustang was a hit for me right off the bat. Never imagined this car would command this kinda money today but I understand why. I can’t remember if those rallies were white or gray but that car had a real nasty attitude from day one..
I special ordered a Boss 351. I lived in Las Vegas, the local Ford dealers had used their quote of Boss’. I had to order one from a rural dealer in Utah. I think I got one of the last Boss’ made, delivery in August 1971. As I remember there were almost no options in regards to the drivetrain. Only 4 speed, the 3.91 reared, no ac(tough in Vegas). I did get power steering.
Dave E 9/14 2:07 PM My best friend had 1971 Boss 351in bright red with black trim> No AC 390 gear with hurst 4 speed top end at 135 mph. was quick on take off but only had one flaw I can rember? get any kind of hard rain and you had to pull it off the road because you could not see out the wind shield no matter what the wiper setting.
When I was a junior in high school I bought a used 71 in grabber green. Two years old and 27,000 miles. What a great car
It looks somewhat original, but the big question for many collectors would be the presence of the uber-rare original distributor and carburetor.
Possibly two of the scarcest parts for Boss 351’s . Probably the distributor is not… least ways the vacuum canister shown is incorrect.
The February 1971 Issue of Car and Driver article, “Tested: 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351” mentions competition suspension. Was that optional? Surprisingly, this Boss for sale does not have a rear swaybar.
IMO, this steering wheel should only have been avail in the lux Grande.
The CD boss has optional power windows.
The steering wheel on this one is correct. It was standard on all the 71 Mustangs. An optional 3 spoke design was available.
I believe the std steering wheel was the same std one used on the pinto.
Scroll down in …
https://www.orlandoclassiccars.net/vehicles/103/1971-ford-mustang-boss-351
Very good looking car! I was very lucky my good friend had a Boss 351 motor took me a year and cash + trade stuff to get that jewel! It lives in a Cobra kit car it is a monster motor! I had to have the headers fabricated at a shop! Tremic TKO 500 and police interceptor crown Vic rear end! This is a one of one Cobra!
The ’71 Boss 351 had a bad a** engine. To buy one, I’d have to know that all of the unique parts are in the engine. 11:1 comp, mech. cam, forged rods, crank, 4 bolt mains. One of the best muscle car engines ever produced. One year only.
A friend had one. All he did to it was put on traction bars and wide rear tires. Street raced the heck out of it.
The Magnum wheels on this one were also added. The Marti report doesn’t indicate them as an option. The standard wheel would have been hub caps with trim rings.
I allways thought a 71 pinto with a boss 351 would make a real street terror
Dreams ☺️
Bob Glidden had the same setup in Pro Stock racing back in the day.
Not sure why a boss 351 stang would be faster than a boss 429 stang – which i read actually put out 500 hp.