1970 Ford Mustang "Boss 302"
Specifications
Engine: Boss V8, matching numbers car
Displacement: 302cid/4.95L
Horsepower: 290hp at 5,800RPM
Torque: 290 ft-lbs at 4,300RPM
Transmission: 4-speed manual
A Little History
Right before the release of the Cobra Jet engine in the 1968 model year, Ford hired former General Motors executive Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen to take over production in Dearborn, MI. Knudsen felt that there were some inherent problems with the Mustang, mostly that they looked good but lacked performance.
The Cobra Jet engine debuted to stellar reviews, but Knudsen wanted more. He wanted to create the best-handling street car on the market. To do so, Knudsen turned his focus to an engineer who had followed him over from GM, the man responsible for the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, the designer Larry Shinoda. Shinoda was tasked with designing something even better for Ford – the result was the Boss 302 engine.
Though the Mach 1 body was aesthetically similar to the Z/28, it was a toss-up on the track. The Z/28 won SCCA laurels in 1969, but the Boss 302 engine put Ford back on top in 1970.
This 1970 Mach 1 model, in comparison to the 1969 model, received a rear-end sway bar to help with the handling, the factory-optional Shaker hood, the “Boss 302” decals on the front fenders, as well as the black matte body paint, hood pins, and chin and rear spoilers.
The car was only produced in 1969 and 1970. As of the 1971 model year, both the Boss 302 and the Boss 429 had become factory options for the Mach 1 body.
The slats on the rear window were not only a fashion statement, but were also used to keep the sun from heating up the inside of the car during long track races. By 1972, the Boss 302 and Boss 429 were altogether eliminated from production.
