•Inspired by the Ford Mustangs that won the 1966 and 1967 Trans-Am championships, Ford responded to new competition by creating the best Mustang of the time, the 1969 Boss 302 •With a unique look created by designer Larry Shinoda and a high-output 302-cubic-inch V8, the Boss 302 became one of the most legendary Mustangs ever
While it might be nice to have a market segment all to yourself, that can easily lead to complacency. Competition, on the other hand, pushes everyone to keep getting better. Nowhere is this truer than in the realm of performance cars like Ford Mustang.
When Mustang debuted in April 1964, there was nothing else like it on the market, and more than 1 million customers snapped one up in the first two years. This overnight success did not go unnoticed by other automakers, and competitors soon arrived to up the ante; Ford took up the challenge.
In early 1968, Semon E. 'Bunkie' Knudsen was named president of Ford Motor Company and Larry Shinoda joined the design staff. Knudsen was a strong believer that performance could help sell more cars, and soon after his arrival Shinoda and chief engineer Howard Freers were assigned to create an even higher performance Mustang. The new model would be inspired by the cars that won the first two Trans-Am championships in 1966 and 1967.
In his 1979 book 'Mustang!,' author Gary Witzenburg quotes Freers as saying they were instructed to build 'absolutely the best-handling street car available on the American market!' Chassis engineer Matt Donner set to work developing a heavy-duty suspension setup to take advantage of Goodyear's highest performance street tire of the time, the F60 Polyglas.
The result would come to be known as the Boss 302.
During development testing, the extra loading transmitted to the chassis by these tires led to front suspension damage on the prototype. The chassis reinforcements that resolved the issue were ultimately added to all Mustangs, thus improving the breed.
A high-performance version of the 302-cubic-inch small-block V8 provided the necessary motivation to take advantage of the upgraded chassis. The new wedge chamber cylinder heads on the 302 featured canted valves for improved airflow, helping it to generate 290 horsepower and 290 lb.-ft. of torque.
Meanwhile in the design studio, Shinoda crafted a unique look for this special Mustang. The air scoops on top of the rear fenders of other 1969 Mustangs were eliminated, and C-shaped stripes with the name Boss 302 were added to the front fenders. The hood and trunklid were painted flat black, and a functional spoiler to reduce lift was added below the front bumper.
The 1969½ Mustang Boss 302 debuted in March 1969, just short of five years after the original Mustang. Race-prepared versions of the Boss 302 generated an estimated 450 horsepower with dual four-barrel carburetors, and just missed out on the 1969 Trans-Am championship before winning again in 1970.Source - Ford
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 answe....[continue reading]
The 1969 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Coupe was offered for sale at the 2006 RM Auction held in Monterey, California. It was offered without reserve and expected to fetch $175,000-$275,000. The 428 cubic-inch Cobra Jet V8 engine is capable of producing....[continue reading]
This car is powered by a 428 cubic-inch engine with 735 cfm 4-V Holley, R-Code. The transmission is a C-6 with Detroit Locker. This vehicle is 1 of 11 with GT option, and finished in Silver Jade Metallic paint, and Cobra Jet ram air.....[continue reading]
The Mach 1 was a new model for 1969 nearly five years into the iconic Pony Car's lifecycle and was the first Ford-development which didn't involve Carroll Shelby. In 1969, some 72,458 Mach 1s were sold. There was a fantastic array of options availabl....[continue reading]
There were 299,036 examples of the 1969 Mustang. 131,819 were non-Shelby Sportsroof cars. Of those, 10,130 were built with the 428-4V Ram Air engine. 5,853 of those came with 4-speeed manual transmissions. 1,347 of those were painted Candy apple Red,....[continue reading]
This 1969 S-Code Ford Mustang Mach 1 390 has a flat black hood and matching scoop, contrasting reflective side and rear Mach 1 body striping, twin body color racing mirrors, NASCAR-style hood pins, styled steel wheels, a quick-release gas cap and the....[continue reading]
Ford introduced the Mach 1 in 1969, which took over as the top performance production Mustang. It was based on the Sportsroof fastback and was visually distinguished by a Flat Black painted hood with an imitation scoop or a Shaker Ram Air unit, NASCA....[continue reading]
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....[continue reading]
In 1969 the muscle car wars were in full swing. A wide variety of performance enhancements were available from nearly all of the manufacturers. Being able to standard apart from the crown was the next order of business.....[continue reading]
This Ford Mustang was one of three Boss 302s built by Kar Kraft and prepared by Shelby for the 1969 Trans-Am season. This was the second of three examples constructed. All three cars were numbered sequentially, with this car being number '628.'....[continue reading]
Tasca Ford, known for their involvement with Ford Performance during the 1960s, was also involved with the Trans Am road race series. During the 1968 Trans Am season, Dean Gregson, the Tasca Ford Performance Sales Manager, raced a Mustang prepared by....[continue reading]
This 1969 Mustang Mach 1 Cobra Jet 428 is finished in Candy Apple Red with a white interior. It has a numbers matching 'R' Code Ram Air engine, a shaker hood, Top Loader 4 speed transmission, and an upgraded 3.91 Drag Pack rear axle. It rides on Magn....[continue reading]
In the late 1960's the horsepower wars were in full swing. With Chrysler offering their Hemi-head 426, Ford was clearly outgunned on the NASCAR race tracks. Ford was seeking to develop a Hemi engine that could compete with the famed 426 Hemi from Chr....[continue reading]
This Ford Mustang Mach 1 Fastback was given a three-year nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration. It has a professionally built R-Code 428 cubic-inch Cobra Jet V-8 engine mated to a four-speed transmission. It has a correctly built rear end, Daytona Pini....[continue reading]
This car was raced by Mike Pustelny in NHRA Super Stock class during the 1970s and 1980s. The Mustang is a multiple record-holder in the NHRA Super Stock SS/J class. This car was born as a 1969 Mustang Mach 1, Acapulco Blue, 428 Super Cobra Jet, 4-sp....[continue reading]
Fastback Coupe
Chassis #: 9F022198868 KK2309
Coupe
Chassis #: 9R01Q123554
Coupe
Mach 1 Fastback
Mach 1 Fastback
Chassis #: 9T02R113647
Mach 1 Fastback
Chassis #: 9R02S156128
Mach 1 Fastback
Chassis #: 9F02M213089
Hardtop Coupe
Chassis #: 9F02Z150456
Mach 1 Fastback
Hardtop Coupe
Chassis #: 9F02M148628
Fastback Coupe
Mach 1 Fastback
Hardtop Coupe
Grande Hardtop
Hardtop Coupe
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The Ford Mustang first appeared in 1964 and was immediately popular for its style and its capabilities. The largest engine offering of the time was the 289 V-8 K-code small block engine which was sufficient but enthusiasts wanted and demanded more power. The base engine was a six-cylinder power plant. The body style configurations included coupe, convertible and fastback. In its first year of.... Continue Reading >>
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A pillar of American automotive lore, the Mustang is the vehicle the brought sporting dash and styling at a price that almost everyone could afford. Always extraordinarily attractive, the Mustang has been capturing the hearts of drivers for nearly 40 years. Introducing a whole new breed of automobile, the pony car, Ford wasnt content to stand on the sidelines while others jumped ahead. Rather than.... Continue Reading >>
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