As if five all-new Ford Mustangs weren’t enough when the 1969 mannequin yr started, Ford had two additional concepts in mind, the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 and 429. The twin “Bosses,” each introduced later, proved to be some of the most remarkable Mustangs of the “ponycar’s” whole life span. Some early engines had hydraulic lifters, till strong tappets grew to become normal. Mandatory choices (heavy-obligation 4-velocity, 3.91:1 locking axle, manual-disc brakes) jacked up the Boss’s $3,498 base value by one other $1,300. Intensive metalwork was required to squeeze within the bulky 429. Kar Kraft of Brighton, Michigan, did the custom work, which included widening spring towers, putting in shorter higher management arms, and decreasing the suspension. Estimates ranged as excessive as four hundred bhp. Working on 10.5:1 compression, the engine carried Cleveland heads and 2.23-inch intake valves, an aluminum high-riser manifold with 780-cfm Holley four-barrel carburetor, and aluminum rocker covers. Despite the advertised determine of 290 horsepower, the 302-cid small-block V-8 undoubtedly delivered a whole lot more. Each Bosses continued into 1970, when 6,318 Boss 302s and about 498 of the 429s were produced. Kin to the 429-cid V-8 aimed at NASCAR, the “semi-hemi” engine was constructed for toughness, with four-bolt mains and a solid steel crankshaft. Low-restriction headers fed large-diameter twin exhausts. Cylinder heads were aluminum, with solid magnesium covers. Priced at a more modest $3,588 (practically $1,000 greater than a base Mustang), the Boss 302 wore a deeper entrance “chin” spoiler than its huge-block counterpart and may very well be ordered with an adjustable wing rear spoiler for $19. Had Henry Ford II not employed Semon E. “Bunkie” Knudsen away from Normal Motors early in 1968, to develop into company president, the entire “Boss” episode might never have occurred. The 302 was billed as “Son of Trans-Am,” regardless that — as fortune dictated — Chevrolet’s Camaro had emerged victorious in Trans-Am racing. Specially flared wheel openings were needed to accommodate the fat Goodyear F60 x 15 Polyglas rubber, which rode seven-inch Magnum 500 wheels. Along with his contribution toward this 12 months’s new SportsRoof fastback physique, stylist Larry Shinoda — hired by Ford along with Knudsen — earns credit score for the “Boss” name. Distinctive rear-window louvers ($128), hinged at the top, helped give the smaller Boss a glance all its personal. Suspension tweaks included stiffer springs and staggered rear shocks. Eschewing flashiness, Boss 429s wore no striping but carried a black spoiler and grille. Moreover that, Ford had come up with a 429-cid V-eight that it needed to homologate for NASCAR competition. Whatever the precise figures, a Boss 429 might accelerate to 60 mph in as little as 5.3 seconds (or as slowly as 7.2), running the quarter in just over 14 and hitting 102 mph. See the specs for the 1969 Ford Mustang 302 and 429 on the subsequent web page. Matte black paint highlighted the hood, rear deck, and outer headlight space. Now wouldn’t that make a pleasant trophy below a few hundred roadgoing Mustang hoods? The large Boss got here first, in mid-January, wearing a monstrous Ram-Air hood scoop and entrance spoiler, with chubby F60 x 15 Goodyear Polyglas tires pounding the pavement. Two cars — two engines — two different personalities. Not more than 858 went on sale, making it one of many rarest Mustangs of the lot. Bodyside striping included a “Boss 302” designation on the leading edge. Ford’s extensive-ratio 4-velocity went into early 302s, with a high-capacity 10.4-inch clutch-ultimately augmented by a Hurst shifter. Excessive-again bucket seats added $84. A 735-cfm Holley 4-barrel straddled the high-riser manifold. The “Daytona” rear axle included a standard 3.50:1 ratio, but might also get a 3.91:1 or 4.30:1 cog. Staggered shocks and a “clamp-on” stabilizer bar were installed at the rear. Even Ford admitted that the 375-bhp official ranking was understated. A road model of the racing Mustang that had torn up Trans-Am courses sounded like simply the ticket. Knudsen felt that a brilliant-sizzling small-block quickly would be wanted to compete towards Chevrolet’s Camaro Z-28. Though the factory claimed a 0-60 time of 6.0 seconds, actual Boss 302 checks proved a mite slower: 6.5 seconds and up. Torque output was listed at 450 pounds/ft. Learn concerning the improved and higher-promoting 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 on the subsequent page.