The Boss 302 was a special edition of the popular Ford Mustang and was produced for only two years (1969 and 1970). With its own version of a 302 cubic inch V8, the Boss was the Mustang’s gateway into the Trans Am Racing Series of the Sports Car Club of America. It was Ford’s response to the Chevy Camaro Z28 and was sold in smaller numbers. The seller has owned more than one Boss 302 with this one having been in the family for more than two decades, dedicated to the father’s son. Located in Port St. Lucie, Florida, this beautiful Grabber Blue Boss is available here on eBay. $50,300 is the current ante, and the unmet reserve is north of there.

In the late 1960s, SCCA limited engine displacement to 305 cubic inches in the Trans Am Series. As was required in the day, a certain number of these cars had to be produced for street use, with Ford building just 1.628 copies in 1969 and the number jumped to 7,013 in 1970. After that, SCCA changed the rules and the Boss 351 replaced the 302 in 1971. A Boss 429 was also built in ’69 and ’70, but not for SCCA competition (NASCAR).

The Boss 302’s V8 differed greatly from the “pedestrian” version used in a variety of Ford passenger cars. Some of the changes included solid lifters, stronger crankshaft bearings, larger valves, and a more responsive suspension package. A 4-speed manual transmission was also part of the deal, which was there to help the driver go through the gears with the power supplied by the 290 hp small-block V8. How fast were the street cars, you ask? Well, the Boss 302 could do 0 to 60 mph in under seven seconds and the quarter mile between 14 and 15 seconds.

We’re told the seller purchased this Mustang in 2003 in honor of his young son, Tanner (the car was nicknamed Tanner’s Boss 302 in online forums). The child had developed brain cancer, and the seller hoped the development of this Ford would encourage the child during his cure/recovery. Unfortunately, the son now has a permanent disability and can drive a car with an automatic, but not a manual. The Mustang was in overall good condition when purchased and has simply been improved over time.

The engine is period correct, but not original to the Ford. Work done to the car over time includes a new front end, brakes, fuel delivery system, and more. The dashboard is new, as are the wheels and tires. The rest of the interior seems to be original and in good shape. The body and Grabber Blue paint are said to be a 9 on a 10 scale, so it should present well, but not to Concours standards (the paint job is about 20 years old). A few little things need attention but nothing that might not be beyond weekend work. The sale of this beautiful Ford will enable the seller to do “something special” for Tanner.