This Is the Boss 302 Mustang Chrysler Bought To Help Develop the AAR Cuda, Challenger T/A

Of course, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, as eloquently once put by Carl Sagan himself. Thankfully, there’s enough documentation here to prove that this Mustang was indeed purchased by the Chrysler Corporation in 1969 from Ed Schmid Ford in Ferndale, Michigan.

The vehicle, which will be hitting the auction block come May 18, also comes with its original bill of sale, warranty card, plus an application for a Michigan title issued to Chrysler. This is what you might call an “orgy of evidence” suggesting that this Boss 302 was indeed once owned by the Blue Oval’s archnemesis during a time when Chrysler were known to be developing both the Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda as well as the Dodge Challenger T/A.

According to the ad, that’s what happened, allegedly – and as far as we’re concerned, it’s more than plausible. You don’t need Hercule Poirot to get a handle on this situation.

This Mustang still features original sheet metal and won the MCA Authenticity Award back in 2008. It’s clearly been thoroughly refurbished, as both the exterior and interior look just as they did on that fateful day when a Chrysler employee walked into a Ford dealership.

Highlights for this car include the Special Handling suspension with heavy-duty springs and shocks, 15-inch Magnum 500 wheels with F60 Goodyear Polyglas tires, a larger front sway bar, staggered rear shock mounting, plus its Boss 302 small-block V8 engine, boasting 290 horsepower courtesy of a 4-bolt main Windsor block, Cleveland 4-barrel heads, and a Holley 4-barrel carburetor. The power gets sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox.

Also worth noting are the yellow colorway, Boss 302 decals, a rear spoiler, rear window “sport” slats, power steering, the wood-rimmed steering wheel, and the black vinyl upholstery. This Boss 302 Mustang is one of only 1,628 vehicles produced for the 1969 model year.

I can’t help but wonder what Chrysler engineers had to say about this car – and this engine, specifically. They had to have been impressed. Ultimately, the Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda arrived on the scene the following year, rocking a 290 horsepower “Six Barrel” 340 ci V8 shared with the Dodge Challenger T/A. Both cars came with upgraded suspension, just like the Boss 302 Mustang.

There wasn’t much of a difference between Chrysler’s two Trans-Am homologation specials; other than visually, I mean. They were both equally capable from a performance standpoint. Otherwise, it came down to whether you liked two headlights instead of four, different types of hood scoops, stuff like that.