As if five all - newfangled Ford Mustangs were n’t enough when the 1969 model year start , Ford had two additional ideas in head , the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 and 429 . The duplicate " foreman , " each premise later , show to be some of the most noteworthy Mustangs of the " ponycar ’s " entire life span .
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Had Henry Ford II not hired Semon E. " Bunkie " Knudsen out from General Motors betimes in 1968 , to become company United States President , the whole " Boss " episode might never have occurred . Knudsen felt that a ace - hot small - pulley block shortly would be needed to contend againstChevrolet ’s Camaro Z-28 . A street adaptation of the run Mustang that had tear up Trans - Am courses sounded like just the ticket .
Besides that , Ford had descend up with a 429 - Criminal Investigation Command V-8 that it require to homologate forNASCARcompetition . Now would n’t that make a nice prize under a few hundred roadgoing Mustang hoodlum ? Two auto – two engine – two different personality .
In summation to his contribution toward this year ’s unexampled SportsRoof fastback body , stylist Larry Shinoda – hired by Ford along with Knudsen – earns cite for the " Boss " name . The big Boss came first , in mid - January , wearing a monstrous Ram - Air hood grievous bodily harm and front spoiler , with chubby F60 x 15 Goodyear Polyglastirespounding the pavement .
Kin to the 429 - Criminal Investigation Command V-8 aimed at NASCAR , the " semi - hemi " locomotive engine was built for formidability , with four - deadbolt briny and a shape steel crankshaft . A 735 - cfm Holley four - barrel straddled the high-pitched - riser manifold paper . piston chamber heads were aluminum , with cast Mg covers .
Some earlyengineshad hydraulic shoplifter , until solid tappet became received . Even Ford admit that the 375 - bhp official valuation was minimise . Torque output was listed at 450 pound / feet . Whatever the actual public figure , a Boss 429 could speed to 60 miles per hour in as little as 5.3 second ( or as slowly as 7.2 ) , running the tail in just over 14 and hitting 102 mph .
Extensive metalwork was required to squeeze in the bulky 429 . Kar Kraft of Brighton , Michigan , did the tradition work , which included widening fountain towers , installing inadequate upper control arms , and lowering thesuspension . Staggered shocks and a " clamp - on " stabilizer bar were instal at the rear . Eschewing gaudiness , Boss 429s wore no denudate but carried a black looter and grille .
Mandatory alternative ( heavy - tariff four - speed , 3.91:1 locking axle , manual - record brakes ) jacklight up the Boss ’s $ 3,498 radical price by another $ 1,300 . No more than 858 went on sale , making it one of the rarest Mustangs of the lot .
Learn about the improved and substantially - sell 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 on the next pageboy .
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1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302
Ford built the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 on its own , without external aid but following a Kar Kraft prototype , institutionalize the result to saleroom in March 1969.Car and Drivercalled it " easily the best Mustang yet … the good plow Ford to ever come out of Dearborn . “Road & Tracklater described a Boss 302 as " delightfully sporting when driven firmly . "
price at a more pocket-size $ 3,588 ( nearly $ 1,000 high than a base Mustang ) , the Boss 302 wore a deeper front " chin " despoiler than its grown - pulley block counterpart and could be consecrate with an adjustable wing rear spoiler for $ 19 . eminent - back pail seats sum $ 84 . Distinctive rear - window louvers ( $ 128 ) , hinged at the top , help give the pocket-size Boss a feel all its own .
Despite the advertised figure of 290horsepower , the 302 - cid small - pulley block V-8 undoubtedly delivered a whole portion more . Estimates rove as high as 400 bhp . run on 10.5:1 densification , the engine convey Cleveland head and 2.23 - in intake valve , an aluminum high - riser manifold paper with 780 - cfm Holley four - barrelcarburetor , and aluminum rocking chair covers . Low - restriction headers fed large - diameter dual exhausts .
Ford ’s blanket - ratio four - amphetamine depart into other 302s , with a high - capability 10.4 - in clasp - eventually augment by a Hurst shifter . Suspensiontweaks included stiff springs and staggered rear shock . Specially flared wheel openings were needed to lodge the fat Goodyear F60 x 15 Polyglas rubber , which rode seven - inch Magnum 500 wheels . The " Daytona " rear axle incorporated a standard 3.50:1 ratio , but could also get a 3.91:1 or 4.30:1 sprocket .
Matte sinister rouge highlighted the hood , rear deck of cards , and outer headlight area . Bodyside striping included a " hirer 302 " appellative on the leading edge .
Although the factory arrogate a 0 - 60 clip of 6.0 seconds , actual Boss 302 tests proved a tinge slower : 6.5 seconds and up . Quarter - mile clip went into the mid-14s , with speeds in the upper 90s . Only 1,934 were built in 1969 .
Both Bosses continued into 1970 , when 6,318 Boss 302s and about 498 of the 429s were produce . The 302 was billed as " Son of Trans - Am , " even though – as hazard dictated – Chevrolet ’s Camaro had emerged victorious in Trans - Am racing .
See the specifications for the 1969 Ford Mustang 302 and 429 on the next varlet .
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 & 429 Specifications
The 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 and 409 topped off the many fresh Mustang founding of 1969 .
Specifications
engine : ohv V-8 ; Boss 302 : 302 Criminal Investigation Command ( 4.00 x 3.00 ) , 290 bhp ; Boss 429 : 429 cid ( 4.36 x 3.59 ) , 360/375 bhp
Transmission:4 - speed manual
Suspension front : upper arms , strut - stabilized lower arm , curl springs , anti - sway saloon
Suspension rear : live axle , leaf spring , anti - sway legal profession ( 429 )
Brakes : front discs / rear drums
Wheelbase ( in.):108.0
Weight ( lbs.):3,210 +
Top speed ( mph):Boss 302 : 118 - 133 ; Boss 429 : 115 - 130 +
0 - 60 miles per hour ( sec):Boss 302 : 6.5 - 8.1 ; Boss 429 : 5.3 - 7.2
