| In 1967 the first big-block Mustang was | | | | the man responsible for the excellent Boss |
| introduced, the S-code 390 which was rated at | | | | 302 chassis, which quickly impressed the |
| 320 hp. This Mustang was not able to compete | | | | critics with the way it hugged the road. The |
| with the hot new SS 396 Camaro , so in 1968 | | | | engine was a Ford 5.0L block with the new 351 |
| the 428 Cobra Jet engine was introduced, | | | | Cleveland heads. The car was originally to be |
| giving the Mustang true muscle car status, | | | | called the Trans Am, until Ford found out GM |
| but then why stop there? In February 1968 | | | | had already licensed the name from the |
| when Bunkie Knudsen arrived in Dearborn he | | | | SCCA.The Boss 302 was rated at 290 HP because |
| brought with him some strong ideas concerning | | | | insurance companies were beginning to |
| the Mustang. He believed the popular pony car | | | | penalize the muscle cars by tacking on higher |
| was a good looking automobile, but that there | | | | charges to any car rated over 300 HP. Actual |
| were a tremendous amount of people out there | | | | horsepower was closer to 350. (These are |
| that wanted a good looking automobile that | | | | Gross HP figures, not Net, as used today). |
| could perform. He also knew that the Z/28 | | | | Race versions made 450 HP at over 8,000 |
| Camaro, created with SCCA Trans-Am road | | | | RPMs.Boss 302s also ran in Nascar's Grand |
| racing in mind, could handle and stop as well | | | | American (GA) series. The car came with a |
| as it could accelerate. Big block pony cars | | | | wide-ratio or close-ratio 4-speed top loader. |
| were faster, but left something to be desired | | | | A 3.50:1 rear gear was standard with 3.91 and |
| going through the curves with all that weight | | | | 4.30 optional. Front discs are rear drum |
| up front.Bunkie was able to lure several GM | | | | brakes and 15-inch wheels were standard. Road |
| Design Engineers over to Ford in 1968. One of | | | | tests at the time put 1/4-mile performance in |
| them was designer Larry Shinoda, the man who | | | | the upper 14-second range. However, Super |
| had drawn up the Z/28's sport image in 1967. | | | | Stock magazine tweaked a '70 Boss 302 and put |
| Shinoda was tasked with besting a performance | | | | slicks on to get a time in the mid-13s.How |
| legend that he had helped to create. Shinoda | | | | did the Boss 302 compare to the Chevy Z28? |
| contributed the new cars stripes, spoilers | | | | Well it seems that is was very close indeed. |
| and window slats, as well as its name. Two | | | | Chevrolet's Trans-Am Camaro took home the |
| Boss Mustangs were born in 1969, both | | | | SCCA racing championship in 1969, while |
| originally developed concurrently by Ford's | | | | Ford's Boss 302 put the Mustang back on top |
| performance contractor, Kar Kraft | | | | in 1970. As for street performance, both |
| Engineering, in Brighton, Michigan.The Boss | | | | machines relied on specially built 290 |
| 429 was also built in response to Chrysler's | | | | horsepower 302 cubic inch small block V8's. |
| 426 Hemi and it's success in Nascar. Ford | | | | Performance was so close as to be a toss-up |
| built a 427 Hemi-headed single overhead cam | | | | in most street or track encounters.In late |
| motor first, but it wasn't considered stock | | | | 1970 Ford stopped all factory-sponsored |
| enough for the series so along came the | | | | racing. So regrettably the fun had to end ... |
| "semi-Hemi" head 429. Kar Kraft was given the | | | | for now.This article is brought to you by |
| task of wedging a 429 into the Mustang. | | | | Dallas Dream Cars ( Your source for exotic |
| Quarter-mile times were reported to be in the | | | | car rentals in the Dallas and Fort Worth |
| lower 14s. Although another of the hot rod | | | | area. It is our mission to provide top of the |
| magazines, Car Craft, slightly modified the | | | | line classic car rentals for a unique and |
| stock 429 and got a 1/4 mile in the mid 12s. | | | | memorable experience that will last a |
| The street cars came from the factory with a | | | | lifetime. Perfect for weddings, birthday's, |
| conservative cam and a somewhat small | | | | anniversaries, high school reunions, or any |
| carburetor.Starting with the 1969 model year | | | | special occasion, our cars will get you there |
| the Ford brought the road racing Mustang | | | | in style. Whether you're re-living the past, |
| program in house by creating the Boss 302 | | | | or celebrating the future, Dallas Dream Cars |
| with styling by Larry Shinoda, suspension was | | | | enables you to "Live the Dream"! |
| design by Kar Kraft. Engineer Matt Donner was | | | | |