Car: Ford Mustang Boss 302 ( Car shown at Dragone Classic Motorcars in Orange )
Year: 1970
What makes it special: Produced for the famed Trans-Am racing series, Ford’s Mustang Boss 302 was a high-performance variant for the 1969 and 1970 model years, along with the more powerful Boss 429 Mustang. The Boss 302 returned as a Mustang variant for the 2012 and 2013 model years as well.
What made it famous: Designed by former General Motors employee Larry Shinoda, the Boss 302 was famous for it’s reflective C-Stripe on its side. It’s Hi-Po engine was created for the SCCA’s Trans-Am Road Racing series, and was a unique small-block V8 that featured thin-wall, nickel block casting. It featured 4-bolt mains, screw-in freeze plugs, and canted valve design heads that were being developed for the famed 351 Cleveland V8, which debuted that following year. For the 1970 model year, the C-Stripes developed into “Hockey Stick” stripes that began along the top of the hood, then running along the sides. The 1970 model replaced the four headlights with two vents in the outside position while keeping two headlights within the grille. It’s dual exhaust system was redone, along with competition suspension and a Hurst Floor shifter as standard equipment.
Why I would want one: Produced in smaller numbers than a standard Mustang makes them fairly rare to find, and the engine alone would make any muscle car fan want the Boss 302.
Fun fact: The “Boss” name came from when designer Larry Shinoda was asked what project he was working on, and he would answer “The Boss’s car” because it was a secret project.
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