The golden muscle car era was a fabulous period for many reasons. Dealerships were packed with high-performance rigs, and Detroit was rolling out drag-ready factory cars like it was nobody's business. They all came in flashy colors, and most of them were actually affordable.
But what I like most about this era is that it spawned many homologation specials. I'm talking about limited-edition models produced strictly to homologate certain vehicles or parts for racing. For instance, the iconic 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI V8 found its way into streetable Mopars so that Chrysler could use it at the drag strip.
The 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona was also born like this. NASCAR required a production run of 500 examples for a car to become eligible for the series. Of course, the same applies to its Plymouth twin, the 1970 Superbird.
Ford developed two homologation specials in 1969, the Boss 302 and the Boss 429. The former was created for the SCCA Trans-Am series, where the Mustang was battling for track glory with the Chevrolet Camaro Z28. The Boss 429, on the other hand, rolled off the assembly line so that Ford could use the then-new 429-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8 in the NASCAR-spec Talladega.
Based on the 385-series V8 (also called Lima), the Boss 429 was Ford's most potent mill at the time of its introduction. That's right, it delivered more oomph than the more iconic 428 Cobra Jet. While the latter came with 335 horsepower and 440 pound-feet (597 Nm) of torque on tap, the Boss 429 generated 375 horses and 450 pound-feet (610 Nm) of twist. This rating was matched by the 429 Super Cobra Jet in 1971 but unsurpassed for many years.
The Mustang Boss 429 debuted in 1969. And much like the Boss 302, it had a unique appearance package that included a large hood scoop and "Boss 429" decals on the fenders. Even though the Mustang was available in a wide range of colors at the time, the Boss 429 palette was limited to just five hues: Raven Black, Wimbledon White, Royal Maroon, Candyapple Red, and Black Jade. Ford sold 859 examples in 1969.
The package remained in production for the 1970 model year. The car retained the massive scoop but looked notably different due to the facelift Ford applied to the Mustang that year. The Boss 429 gained new high-impact colors, and the interior was available in white and black in addition to the all-black layout. The company produced 499 cars.
With a total production run of 1,358 units over two years, the Boss 429 is one of the rarest first-generation Mustangs out there. And examples that still look showroom new, like this 1970 edition in Pastel Blue, are pretty hard to find nowadays.
Showcased by classic car enthusiast Lou Costabile, this Boss 429 is as spotless as it gets. Moreover, this muscle car still packs its numbers-matching 429 V8, paired with the factory-original four-speed manual. It's definitely a rare sight, and I'm pretty sure not many of these Mustangs were ordered in this very light shade of blue.
As you might have already guessed, the car's fabulous look is the result of a thorough restoration and the fact that it's spending a lot of time in dry storage. The owner admits to not driving his prized 429 on a daily basis, but this Boss is not a museum piece just yet. Check it out up close and personal in the video below.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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