the history
“The Boss 302 Mustang is a high performance variant of the Ford Mustang originally produced in 1969 and 1970, and revived in the 2012 model year. It was produced for the Trans Am racing series.
Boss 302 engine with the shaker hood scoop
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 optional the 428 Cobra Jet V8 in mid-year 1968, and in 1969, the Ford Boss 302 engine. 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 thehomologation 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 reflective “c-stripe” and the fake rear fender scoops of the regular 1969 Mustangs was eliminated. Optional were black horizontal rear window shades and a blackout hood. 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” 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 offered for $3,720, a total of 7,013 were sold.
Standard were disc brakes on the front, larger sway bars, 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).[citation needed]
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]
[edit]Trans-Am racing
1970 Mustang Boss 302 race car
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 Ford entry for 1969 and 1970 was the Boss 302 Mustang. 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. 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.[5][6]
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.[7]“
Source provided by Wikipedia
