The Mustang grows up
The 1966 Mustang debuted with only moderate trim changes, and a few new options such as an automatic transmission for the "Hi-Po," new interior and exterior colors, an AM/eight-track "Stereosonic" sound system and one of the first AM/FM monaural radios available in any car. The 1967 model year would see the first of Mustang's many major redesigns with the installation of "big-block" V8 engines in mind. The high-performance 289 option now took a supporting role on the option sheet behind a massive 320 horsepower (239 kW), 390 in³ (6.4 L) four-barrel engine direct from the Thunderbird. A drag racer for the street bowed during the middle of the 1968 model year as the 428 Cobra Jet (7 L), underrated at 335 horsepower (250 kW). 1969 saw the introduction of both the car's third body style and a handbuilt muscle car intended solely to satisfy the homologation rules of NASCAR, the Boss 429.
Available in 1969 and 1970 only, and looking like a standard Mustang SportsRoof (the new corporate name for the fastback) with the new Mach 1 musclecar version's deluxe interior, the Boss 429 sported none of the garish decals and paint schemes of the day. Only a hood scoop, 15 inch (380 mm) "Magnum 500" wheels with Goodyear "Polyglas" tires and a small "BOSS 429" decal on each front fender (see photo) hinted that the largest and, in racing trim, most powerful Ford V8 of all time was fitted under the hood. Intentionally underrated for advantages both in racing as well as insurability at 375 horsepower (280 kW) and 450 foot-pounds (610 Nm) of torque even with racing touches straight from the factory such as aluminum heads with hemispherical combustion chambers and a combination of O-rings and seals in place of head gaskets, it was believed that yet another 75 to 100 horsepower (50 to 75 kW) was on tap once the single four-barrel carburetor and intake, restrictive factory exhaust system and engine speed governor were replaced or removed. While power steering was a "mandatory option" on the Boss 429, neither an automatic transmission nor air conditioning were available. In the case of the latter, there simply wasn't enough room under the hood!
Also available during that two-year period was another homologation special for the up-and-coming sport of Trans-American sedan racing. The Boss 302 was Ford's attempt to mix the power of a musclecar with the handling prowess of a sports car. The automotive press gushed over the result, deeming it the car "the GT-350 should have been." Boasting a graphic scheme penned by Ford designer Larry Shinoda, the "Baby Boss" was powered by an engine that was essentially a combination of the new-for-1968 302 in³ (4.9 L) V8 and topped with cylinder heads from the new-for-1969 351 in³ (5.8 L) "Cleveland." This combination meant that the Boss 302 was good for 290 horsepower (216 kW) through its four-speed manual transmission. Ford originally intended to call the car Trans Am, but Pontiac had beaten them to it, applying the name to a special version of the Firebird.
Available in 1969 and 1970 only, and looking like a standard Mustang SportsRoof (the new corporate name for the fastback) with the new Mach 1 musclecar version's deluxe interior, the Boss 429 sported none of the garish decals and paint schemes of the day. Only a hood scoop, 15 inch (380 mm) "Magnum 500" wheels with Goodyear "Polyglas" tires and a small "BOSS 429" decal on each front fender (see photo) hinted that the largest and, in racing trim, most powerful Ford V8 of all time was fitted under the hood. Intentionally underrated for advantages both in racing as well as insurability at 375 horsepower (280 kW) and 450 foot-pounds (610 Nm) of torque even with racing touches straight from the factory such as aluminum heads with hemispherical combustion chambers and a combination of O-rings and seals in place of head gaskets, it was believed that yet another 75 to 100 horsepower (50 to 75 kW) was on tap once the single four-barrel carburetor and intake, restrictive factory exhaust system and engine speed governor were replaced or removed. While power steering was a "mandatory option" on the Boss 429, neither an automatic transmission nor air conditioning were available. In the case of the latter, there simply wasn't enough room under the hood!
Also available during that two-year period was another homologation special for the up-and-coming sport of Trans-American sedan racing. The Boss 302 was Ford's attempt to mix the power of a musclecar with the handling prowess of a sports car. The automotive press gushed over the result, deeming it the car "the GT-350 should have been." Boasting a graphic scheme penned by Ford designer Larry Shinoda, the "Baby Boss" was powered by an engine that was essentially a combination of the new-for-1968 302 in³ (4.9 L) V8 and topped with cylinder heads from the new-for-1969 351 in³ (5.8 L) "Cleveland." This combination meant that the Boss 302 was good for 290 horsepower (216 kW) through its four-speed manual transmission. Ford originally intended to call the car Trans Am, but Pontiac had beaten them to it, applying the name to a special version of the Firebird.
posted by CaptMattman at 6:45 AM
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