Boss 302 Mustang

Boss 302 Mustang
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	1969–1970, 2012–2013
Assembly	Dearborn, Michigan (1969–1970) Flat Rock, Michigan (2012–2013)
Designer	Larry Shinoda
Body and chassis
Layout	FR layout
Related	Ford Mustang
Powertrain
Engine	302 CID (5.0L)V8 (1969–1970) 5.0 L V8 (2012–2013)
Transmission	4-speed manual (1969–1970) 6-speed manual (2012–2013)

The Boss 302 Mustang is a high performance variant of the Ford Mustang originally produced in 1969 and 1970. Ford revived the model for another two year production run in 2012 and 2013. It was produced for the Trans Am racing series.

First generation (1969–1970)

The Camaro/Mustang rivalry had begun in 1967 with the introduction of the Chevrolet Camaro by General Motors. The Camaro was the largest threat to the lead Ford had in the "pony car" field, a market segment largely created by Ford with the introduction of the Mustang in mid-year 1964. The performance of the Mustang with 289 and 390 engines was not up to the Camaro, with its small block and big block V8. In an effort to improve the Mustang's image Ford made a 428 Cobra Jet V8 and a Ford Boss 302 engine optional for the 1968 mid-year and 1969 models, respectively. The 302 was a composite engine using the "tunnel port" Windsor block and large Cleveland heads.^[1] This optional engine was available for the express purpose of meeting the homologation guidelines to compete in the Trans-Am series.^[2]

The Boss 302 Mustang was designed by Larry Shinoda, a former GM employee. The car featured a reflective "c-stripe". The fake rear fender scoops of the regular 1969 Mustangs were eliminated. A black horizontal rear window shade and a blackout hood were both options. It was one of the first production models with a front spoiler and rear deck wing. The name "Boss" came about when Shinoda was asked what project he was working on, he answered "the boss's car" because the project was a secret.^[3] Also Shinoda had called it the "Boss" as an homage to the new President of Ford Semon "Bunkie" Knudson who had brought Shinoda over from GM when Knudson had left.

Changes for the 1970 model year included side "hockey stick" stripes which started along the top of the hood, along with the 1970 grille which replaced the 4 headlights with two vents in the outside position while retaining dual headlights within the grille opening. The dual exhaust system was redesigned, along with the competition suspension and a standard Hurst shifter. The intake valves were smaller, and aluminum valve covers replaced the chrome.^[4] With a suggested price of $3,720, a total of 7,013 were sold.

Standard were disc brakes on the front, larger sway bars,a lower ride height, heavier duty spindles, reinforced shock towers, a four speed manual transmission, and the solid-lifter Boss 302 V8 engine with its free-breathing Cleveland style heads, which had valves larger than most motors over a third larger in displacement.^[1] This "G Code" engine was rated at 290 hp (216 kW), however modern day tests show the engine may have been largely underrated, with dyno's showing in excess of 380 horsepower in some cases.

The 1970 car could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.9 seconds. The quarter mile (~400 m) took 14.6 seconds at 98 mph (158 km/h).^[4]

Although Ford's Drag Pack option with a special oil cooler was never formally offered on the Boss 302, it was often included with the 4.30:1 rear axle ratio. This coveted option is recognizable when the hood is opened to reveal Ford's vertically mounted oil cooler in front of the radiator. Ford also had an option for Boss 302's and 429's for deluxe interior rather than standard interior ^[5]

Trans-Am racing

The SCCA Trans-Am series was popular in the late 1960s. A version of "stock-car" racing, the five-liter class saw Detroit build some impressive handling sedans to compete. The Boss 302 program was part of an effort by the Ford Motor Company to win the coveted SCCA Trans-Am Championship in 1969 and 1970. Penske Camaros had triumphed in 1968 and 1969. Team Penske switched to AMC Javelin the following year so the Boss 302's direct competition in the 1970 series were the AAR Cudas, the Pontiac Firebird, the Team Chaparral Camaros, and the Penske AMC Javelins. The Boss car produced 470 horsepower.

The Ford entry for 1969 and 1970 was the Boss 302 Mustang.^[6] The factory effort was headed up by Bud Moore, who fielded two cars in the 1970 season, and won the championship that year. The Bud Moore Mustangs edged out Team Penske's Javelins, and lead Penske driver Mark Donohue lost out to Bud Moore driver Parnelli Jones.^[7] Then, in 1971 AMC came out with a redesigned Javelin and returned to the track with ex-Mustang driver, George Follmer and Mark Donohue. With Mark Donohue behind the wheel of the AMC Javelin, the Mustang and the others were beat in 1971, and again with George Follmer driving the Javelin in 1972.^[8][9]

Australian Touring Cars

The Boss Mustang also enjoyed considerable success in Australia with Canadian born driver Allan Moffat driving his Coca-Cola-sponsored Mustang to a recorded 101 wins from 151 starts. The car was a gift to Moffat from Ford's American 'in-houto place in the top 10 in 1969, he finished 6th in 1970, 2nd in 1971 and 3rd in 1972. As of December 2012 this car has been fully restored to original and is owned by Queensland based collector David Bowden, who se' race car fabrication and engineering facility "Kar Kraft" and finished off by Bud Moore Engineering. Moffat raced the Mustang in the Australian Touring Cpionship (ATCCar Cham) from 1969-1972 and although he failed regularly shows the car at historic events throughout Australia.

Since its restoration the only person Bowden has allowed to drive the car (other than his son Dan), is its former owner Allan Moffat. Not even Moffat's old sparring partner (and later co-driver), five times ATCC champion Ian Geoghegan was allowed to drive the car, despite putting in numerous requests before his passing in 2003 (the Bowden family also owns classic Geoghegan race cars, including earlier model Mustangs). Of the numerous cars that Moffat raced during his almost 30-year career, from his race winning BMW 3.0 CSL at the 1975 12 Hours of Sebring, to Mazda RX-7's in the ATCC and at Le Mans and Daytona, Moffat has no hesitating as nominating the Boss 302 Mustang as his favorite, stating that without the gift from Ford in 1969 his career would have gone on a very different and maybe not as successful path.

Collectibility

The Boss 302 is reproduced as a model and toy, with diecast models including Hot Wheels, Matchbox, and Ertl's "American Muscle". It is recognizable by the "hockey stick" side stripe, rear louvers and chin spoiler. The 1970 is available, but there are also some 4-headlight 1969 models as well.

Many "Boss clones" have been created out of regular fastback cars due to the expense of the original automobiles.

In 2007, a pair of restored 1969 Boss Mustangs sold for $530,000.^[10]

Saleen Parnelli Jones S302 (2007)

In 2007, Saleen and American Racing Legend, Parnelli Jones, created a limited-edition version of the Mustang. Though often called the Saleen/Parnelli Jones S302, it was designed to pay homage to the legendary 1970 Boss 302 that Parnelli Jones had raced in back in the Trans Am series against Javelins, Camaros and Cudas. Equipped with a Saleen MOD 302 cid 3-valve V8, the S302 makes 400 hp (300 kW) and 390 lb·ft (529 N·m) of torque. On the outside, the S302 features a new front fascia, Saleen "Shaker" hood, rear window louvers, rear deck wing, "hockey stick" shaped side stripes, and custom Saleen/Parnelli Jones edition wheels. Production was 500 cars.

Second generation (2012–2013)

2012 Boss 302
Overview
Production	2012
Assembly	AutoAlliance International (Flat Rock, Michigan, USA)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door 2+2 sports coupe
Platform	5th Generation Mustang
Powertrain
Engine	5.0 L V8
Transmission	6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	107.1 in (2,720 mm)
Length	188.1 in (4,778 mm)
Width	73.9 in (1,877 mm)
Height	55.1 in (1,400 mm) (Coupe)
Curb weight	3,631 lb (1,647 kg)

Ford revived the Boss 302 nameplate for 2012. The standard 2011 Ford Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter V8 is enhanced with an upgraded intake system, forged rotating assembly, CNC ported heads, revised camshafts and a high flow "runners in the box" intake taken from the 302R racecar.^[11] It produces 444 horsepower – 32 hp (24 kW) over the standard GT’s 412 hp (307 kW). The engine loses about 10 lb·ft (14 N·m). of torque at peak when compared to the standard GT. It is rated at 380 lb·ft (515 N·m) and comes with a six-speed MT-82 manual transmission. A 3.73 rear axle uses carbon fiber plates in its limited slip differential or an optional Torsen differential. The quad exhaust system made up of two standard Mustang GT outlets and two side pipes that exit on either side of the rear crossover. The side pipes send the exhaust through metal "Attenuation" discs to create an extra growling exhaust sound. The discs are removable and include a spacer plate sized to match aftermarket exhaust dump valves.

The Boss 302 takes the Mustang GT’s suspension and adds higher-rate coil springs, stiffer bushings, and a larger diameter rear stabilizer bar. The body is lowered 11 mm (0.433 in) up front and just 1 mm (0.039 in) in the rear to give it a more raked stance designed to recall the original. The shocks are adjustable at the shock tower by using a flat head screwdriver. The standard Mustang traction and stability control programs have been altered with a new intermediate sport mode designed to allow for more flexibility on the track.

The aero package is almost entirely copied from the Boss 302R race car. The 19-inch black-alloy racing wheels are 9-inches wide up front and 9.5-inches out back and come fitted with 255/40-19 (front) and 285/35-19 (rear) Pirelli P-Zero tires.

Ford produced 3250 standard Boss 302 models and 750 Laguna Seca models for 2012 as well for 2013 (8000 total).

Boss 302 Laguna Seca edition

The Boss 302 Laguna Seca edition is a further upgraded version of the Boss 302. Additions include Recaro sport seats, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential (both optional on the standard Boss 302), revised suspension tuning with unique spring and damper rates, and a larger rear stabilizer. The Laguna Seca model loses its rear seats, which are replaced by a cross-car X-brace to increase structural rigidity approximately 10%. It rides on 19x9-inch front (255/40-19) and 19x10 inch rear (285/35-19) light-weight alloy wheels with R-compound ultra high-performance tires. Ford Racing front brake ducts help cool the brakes.

The 2012 Laguna Seca Boss 302 comes in two colors – Black or Ingot Silver – with a red roof and red accents. For 2013, color choices include both School Bus Yellow and Black, both with reflective matte silver stripes. A more aggressive front splitter and a larger rear spoiler increase downforce for high speed track use. Ford produced 750 Laguna Seca versions for both 2012 and 2013 years (1500 total).^[11]

The limited-edition Laguna Seca is designed to bridge the gap between the Boss 302 and the Boss 302R.^[12][13]

References

Ford Mustang production models and variants Ford Mustang generations 1964–1973 1974–1978 1979–1993 1994–2004 2005–2014 2015-present Ford in-house variants SVO SVT Cobra Special Service Package California Special Mach 1 Boss 429 Boss 302 Boss 351 Bullitt FR500C GT500/KR Mustang I Giugiaro McLaren M81 3rd-party models Shelby Mustang Roush Mustang Steeda Mustang Saleen Mustang