40 Years Later, an Exciting New Mustang Boss 302
Way back in '69, Ford Mustang buyers could choose from a vast number of options, including performance packages like the GT and the Mach 1. But Ford wanted to go racing in the Trans-Am series and there wasn't a horse in the stable that met the SCCA's regulations, among which was a homologation rule requiring Ford to build at least 1000 street examples. Fortunately Ford's new general manager, Bunkie Knudsen, was a race enthusiast, and when he migrated from GM (after the corporate presidency had been awarded to Ed Cole) he brought with him Larry Shinoda, who'd designed the split-window Corvette and the Mako Shark.
Shinoda guided the development of a race-ready Mustang that he dubbed "Boss." His own bosses may not have understood the meaning for it was street slang for "cool."
The 1969 Boss 302 Mustang began with a SportsRoof model, known to the rest of us as a fastback. Kar Kraft Engineering was given the job of assembling the first three prototypes; further development went to Ford engineering. Ford rated the small-block engine at 290 hp in order to avoid insurance industry problems but it clearly exceeded 300 hp. Bunkie Knudsen had insisted the car be the "best handling vehicle on the road" and while I might argue with that claim there was no doubt the Boss 302 had what it took to win in the Trans-Am series. Only 1628 Boss 302s were built in 1969, making them very rare.
Fast forward to 2010 and Ford has revived the iconic Mustang name with an all new Boss 302. Once again it will only be made in small numbers but Ford says it is set to become the quickest, best-handling straight-production Mustang ever offered. "The decision to build a modern Boss was not entered into lightly," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. "The entire team at Ford felt the time was right and with the right ingredients, the world-class 2011 Mustang could support a successful, race-bred, worthy successor to the original Boss 302. For us that meant a production Mustang that could top one of the world's best – the 2010 BMW M3 – in lap times at Laguna Seca. We met our expectations."
Taking the racing heritage further, Ford will offer a limited number of Boss 302 Laguna Seca models, named for the track where Parnelli Jones won the 1970 Trans-Am season opener in a Boss 302. The Laguna Seca model features increased body stiffness, a firmer chassis set-up and an aerodynamics package carried over almost in its entirety from the Ford Racing Boss 302R. Clearly it is aimed at racers more interested in on-track performance than creature comforts. As for the rest of us, we'll have to be content with a mere 440 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft. of torque. A short-throw, close-ratio six-speed manual transmission lets us flick through gear changes. But how well will it handle?
"We've given drivers five settings for their shocks," says Brent Clark, supervisor of the Mustang vehicle dynamics team. "One is the softest, two is the factory setting and five is the firmest, and we've provided a wide range of adjustment. A customer can drive to the track on setting two, crank it up to five for improved response on the track, then dial down to one for a more relaxed ride home. What's unique is that drivers will find – thanks to the way the suspension works as a complete system – the softest setting isn't too loose and the firmest setting isn't too controlled; each step just provides additional levels of control."
As an ex-racer from the 60s, I must confess to a sentimental preference for the original Boss 302. Its styling and compact dimensions appeal to me more than the chunky look of the new Mustang and its competitors, the Camaro and Challenger. But if Ford were to offer this long-time automobile journalist some wheel-time in the new Boss 302, I'd not only accept but would likely disappear into the sunset on California's Highway 1, or BC's Sea-to-Sky Highway. Catch me if you can.
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