1969 Ford Mustang Hardtop Coupe

In the late 1960s, Ford developed a new 429 cubic-inch V8. This new powerplant featured all-new free-flowing cylinder heads, an aluminum high-rise intake manifold, a 735 CFM Holley carburetor, 11.0:1 compression, header-style exhaust manifolds, and a four-bolt main block, conservatively rated at 375 horsepower. When installed in the Mustang, it created the Boss 429. The 'Toploader' four-speed manual transmission and a 3.91:1 Traction-Lok rear axle were mandatory options to help combat the power from the engine. Other features included an engine oil cooler, a trunk-mounted battery, a competition suspension with front and rear anti-roll bars, power front disc brakes, and fat F60x15 tires.

To accommodate this new engine, the shock towers were cut and relocated. To alleviate the in-house production burden, Ford had the cars sent to Kar Kraft, of Brighton, Michigan.

The Mustang Boss 429 was the priciest of the non-Shelby Mustang to date, and commanded a price of $4,087. Built in limited numbers, fewer than 900 examples were built during the 1969 model year.

This particular example is finished in Wimbledon White and was delivered in Denver, Colorado in 1969. It came equipped with power steering, power front disc brakes, a Philco radio, a Hurst shifter, and factory competition suspension. The original owner intended to use the car on the NHRA Super Stock drag racing circuit, but the project was abandoned shortly thereafter due to NHRA rule changes, and the Boss went into storage for over a decade.

Years later, the car was discovered and its original block was sourced and re-installed. The car was restored to new condition. The car has won Gold awards at the Mustang Club of America Nationals and the Boss Car Nationals and received the Historic Vehicle Association's Most Well-Preserved Vehicle award at the Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance.

The car has just 120 miles on the odometer which is believed to be accurate since it spent most of its life in storage followed by a pampered show career. This is one of the lowest-mileage Boss 429s in existence.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2015