Introduced in April 1964 as a pony car, the Ford Mustang developed into a full-blown muscle car by the end of the decade. In 1969, Ford already had no fewer than six high-performance Mustangs in showrooms.
A carryover from the previous year, the GT was joined by the Mach 1. The latter also came with a unique appearance package. Ford also offered two Shelby models, the GT350 and GT500. Finally, 1969 marked the arrival of the Boss 429 and Boss 302.
Named after their beefed-up V8 engines, both vehicles were launched for homologation purposes. Powered by a 429-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8 rated at 375 horsepower (the Mustang's most potent mill at the time), the Boss 429 was used to homologate the mill for NASCAR racing. A low-production special, the Boss 429 spawned 859 units in 1969 and 499 examples in 1970.
The Boss 302, on the other hand, was built to homologate the Mustang for the SCCA Trans Am series. The production version featured a 302-cubic-inch (5.0-liter) V8 solid-lifter with Cleveland-style heads and larger-than-usual valves. The mill sent 290 horsepower to the rear wheels.
The Boss 302 package also included front disc brakes, larger sway bars, reinforced shock towers, and heavier-duty spindles. It also had a unique appearance thanks to a reflective C-stripe, a front spoiler, and a rear deck wing.
The Mustang wasn't fast enough to defeat the Camaro in the Trans Am series in 1969, but it ended the championship in second place, putting Ford atop Pontiac and American Motors. The Boss 302 was more successful in 1970, taking the title with six wins and four podiums out of 11 races.
The street-legal version was more popular than the Boss 429 and moved 1,628 units in 1969. Sales jumped to 7,014 examples in 1970. While nowhere near as rare and powerful as the Boss 429, the Boss 302 is one of the most sought-after iterations of the first-generation Mustang.
And while fully restored examples are somewhat common, unrestored and unmolested survivors are hard to come by. An all-original 1970 version was recently spotted at a local cars and coffee event in Sarasota, Florida, and she's a beauty.
Finished in Bright Yellow, this Boss 302 is as original as they get, but it's also far from perfect. The paint is weathered and scratched in places, while the interior shows wear and tear on the seats and door panels. But that's precisely what makes this Mustang a sight to behold. Nothing beats an unrestored survivor that proudly showcases its battle scars.
And even though it shared the parking lot with hundreds of great cars from different eras, it's among those that stand out and get the most attention. Check it out in the video below. It shows up at the 3:48- and 10:22-minute marks.
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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