1969 Ford Mustang Fastback Coupe

In 1969, Ford introduced a limited production model to the Mustang line. The Boss 429 was the most expensive and most powerful Mustang ever produced to that time. The name referred to its 429 cubic-inch V8 engine, and the Boss 'Nine' was Ford's answer to the Chrysler 426 cubic-inch 'Hemi' V8, which dominated NASCAR racing by the late Sixties. In order to meet NASCAR homologation requirements, Ford had to offer the Boss429 engine as a 'regular' production option. Ford decided to offer the engine in the Mustang, even though the Torino body style was used in NASCAR. Due to the sheer size of the engine, extensive modification was made to the entire front end of the car, which was too narrow for the motor. Consequently, Ford contracted with Kar Kraft, to develop and build the Boss 429 Mustang.

Starting in January of 1969, Super Cobra Jet Mustangs were shipped from the Dearborn production plant to the Kar Kraft assembly facility in Brighton, Michigan, where they were converted into Boss 429s. In order to install the engine, the shock towers were heavily modified, and the suspension was lowered and moved further outwards, using spindles and control arms unique to the Boss 429. The battery was relocated to the trunk, and a rear sway bar was fitted to the rear suspension. The fenders were hand rolled, and the hood was hand fabricated for an oversized air-scoop with a manually controlled intake flapper valve. In all, the Boss 429 underwent a host of modifications using several hundred parts unique to this year and model, and upon completion, each car was assigned a unique KK 429 NASCAR production number. Kar Kraft built 857 Boss 429 Mustangs from January of 1969 through July of that same year. Each car cost a whopping $4800, and the only option was a choice of colors. Due to the complexity and exorbitant cost of the conversion at Kar Kraft, Ford reportedly suffered a considerable loss on each car sold.

Only 93 Raven Black Boss 429 Mustangs were built in 1969, making it the rarest of the five factory colors offered. This is KK #2039 and was among the last twenty cars built. The car was sold new at Henderson Ford in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it spent most of its life as a drag car not far from where it was built. From 2005 to 2006, the car underwent a complete, 'nut and bolt' restoration to factory original condition. Martin Euler of Midland, Michigan spent over eighteen months restoring the car to correct factory specifications.

Boss 429 Engine
There is an old racing expression - 'Win on Sunday, sell on Monday'. In the case of the Boss 429, it was the other way around. The Boss 429 engine was built for one purpose - sanctioned use in NASCAR racing. It was designed and built from the bottom up strictly as a racing engine, and it was commonly called the NASCAR motor. Although based on a strengthened version of the production 429 cid V8, the Boss 429 engine features a high nickel content, cast-iron block with four bolt main bearings, forged steel connecting rods, forged pistons, and a forged crankshaft. Often referred to as Ford's 'Semi-Hemi', the Boss 429 was fitted with aluminum cylinder heads featuring a modified, hemispherical type combustion chamber. The engine was soon christened the 'Blue Crescent', in reference to the shape of the head design. However, massive exhaust and intake ports the size of tennis balls also gave the Boss 429 another unique nickname - 'Shotgun.'

Designed as a 'free breathing' engine for sustained high RPMs, the Boss 429 used a hydraulic lifter camshaft and was fitted with a single Holley four-barrel carburetor rated at 735 CFM mounted on a dual plane, aluminum intake manifold. It was conservatively rated at 375 horsepower from the factory for insurance purposes, but in 'race tune', it could produce almost twice that much power. Although its race career was short-lived due to ever-changing race regulations, the Boss 429 did enjoy much success on the race track and especially at the drag strip. Aside from its extreme rarity and unique history, the Boss 429 is one of the most powerful and exotic engines of the muscle car era.

KK 2309
This 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 was offered for sale at the 2007 Sports and Classic Car Auction presented by The Worldwide Group, in Hilton Head Island, SC where it was estimated to sell for $375,000 - $500,000. This car has a 429 cubic-inch V8 engine conservatively rated at 375 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and power front discs with drums in the rear. It is one of just 859 examples created.

There was only one option offered on the Boss 429 and that was the color. A total of 93 Rave Black examples were created and this example has number KK #2039.

Beginning in 2005 the car was treated to a complete restoration to factory original condition. This car has traveled just 60 miles since the restoration and being brought to auction.

At the auction, the car's reserve failed to be met and the car was left unsold.