Vehicle Description
Well past a half-century of motoring, the Ford Mustang remains one
of the world's strongest automotive brands. While some of their
rivals have taken a misstep or two, Ford has consistently ensured
America's favorite pony car remains a stylish and affordable
platform. Because of that, each generation finds a devout following
and, ultimately, a place in the collector car world. In recent
years, 71-73 Mustang prices have seen steady growth, and high-end
cars like this awesome Boss 351 are starting to claim a few rays of
spotlight. Equipped with a correct 351/Toploader drivetrain, and
wrapped in a high quality, body-off restoration, this fully
documented coupe has all the hallmarks of a great collector piece.
If you're a blue oval fan who's looking for a thrilling muscle car
that can be shown AND enjoyed, this second-generation Boss is your
hot ticket!
IT JUST REACHES OUT AND GRABS YOU!
Corralled in the Arizona heat for the first 20 years of its life,
this awesome pony is a strong example of just how good this
generation of Boss can look. Unfortunately, those two decades
involved a lot of track brawling, and, by the time its second owner
stepped up to the plate, most of the car's Boss-exclusive
components had been either swapped or modified. It took that owner
three years of parts sourcing, but, after a solid restoration, this
Ford was back on the road. In 1998, the car was purchased by its
third owner: Ken Maisano of MASCAR Auto Body - yes, the same outfit
that's been featured countless times on Overhaulin'. In addition to
sourcing more correct parts, Ken stripped everything bare and
financed a detailed, ground-up freshening. Naturally, that rebuild
included correct Grabber Blue pigment, which, in this application,
takes the form of high quality Spies Hecker 2-stage. And today,
this Boss rolls as a revered collection of well-aligned panels and
ridged character lines that presents a better-than-factory
appearance.
For the 1971 model year, Ford product planners, aided by former GM
exec Bunkie Knudson, designed a bigger, heavier and more luxurious
Mustang. The idea was to cash in on the burgeoning large luxury
coupe market; and not only did the car grow, it also received
styling cues which exaggerated both its length and weight. At the
front of this Ford's body, prominent sportlights join crystal
headlamps to light a traditional galloping horse emblem, a bright
chrome bumper and an aggressive chin spoiler. The car's fuselage
sports fresh marker lamps, flush door handles, vivid "BOSS 351
MUSTANG" call-outs and traditional Ford racing mirrors. At the top
of that fuselage, like-new glass, which is framed by bright
stainless trim, highlights both the car's long Ram Air Hood and
dramatic fastback roofline. And at the back of that roofline, a
jewel-like fuel filler and traditional Mustang taillights ride
between a fresh bumper, a prominent wing and a third "BOSS 351"
call-out.
BOSS 351
Naturally, this all-American blue oval is a lot more than just a
pretty body. Under the car's 'long and low' hood you'll find 351
cubic inches of Ford V8 that's been balanced, blueprinted and
completely overhauled by Ken Maisano Racing Engines. In factory
guise, Ford's venerable Boss 351 utilized Boss 302 heads, a
solid-lifter cam and shot peened and magnafluxed rods to turn stout
11 to 1 compression into an honest 330 horsepower. Today, this big
coupe makes roughly 100 more horses thanks to a mild cam upgrade.
At the top of the engine, an old school carburetor snipes air from
a restored, single-snorkel air cleaner that's decked in a sweet
combination of factory fresh decals and bright blue paint. Below
that carb, a clean aluminum intake anchors a traditional points
distributor between fresh Autolite Radio Resistance wires and
finned valve covers. Below those covers restored exhaust manifolds
funnel spent gases in to high performance, true-dual pipes. And in
front of those manifolds, a fresh radiator cycles water through
pliable Autolite hoses and reproduction screw clamps. As you can
see, the car's proper bay has been coated in a smooth sheen of
Satin Black paint. All the engine's correct ancillary components,
from its Autolite rev limiter and Autolite voltage regulator to its
reproduction Autolite battery, are present and accounted for. And
the road-ready powerplant is fast, potent and runs every bit as
good as its brilliant Ford Blue paint suggests!
AS IT WAS
Given its body-off restoration, the bottom of this premium Ford
looks exactly how you'd expect a well-maintained classic to look.
The motor spins a rugged Toploader 4-speed that's been completely
rebuilt by Orange County Transmission of Costa Mesa, California.
Holding that drivetrain off the ground is a correct Competition
Suspension, which makes excellent use of a thicker sway bar,
stiffer springs and staggered rear shocks. Above that suspension,
solid floorpans sport a familiar combination of oxide and
undercoat. At the ends of that suspension, factory power steering
combines with fresh fuel components and power front disc and rear
drum brakes to make easy work of turning, stopping and
accelerating. In the middle of the floors, a big, true-dual exhaust
system jettisons roasted dinosaurs through an H-pipe crossover and
traditional turbo mufflers. And at the edges of those floors, power
meets the pavement through chrome Magnum 500s, which spin F60-15
Firestone Wide Oval 60s around galloping horse center caps.
FACTORY CORRECT
Inside this Grabber chariot, a correct Black interior features
fresh bucket seats and a roster of correct equipment that blends
seamlessly with the car's bright facade. Everything from the door
panels and headliner to the black carpet and pony-branded floor
mats appears to be restoration-fresh. The dash is loaded with
vintage telemetry and features glossy black trim that's clean and
tasteful. A correct Philco AM radio rides between well-integrated
accessory gauges and a polished Hurst shifter that's founded on a
factory console. The driver spins a 2-spoke factory steering wheel.
And the passengers stash supplies in a completely restored trunk
that features a correct mat, a correct lid decal and a familiar
Space Saver spare.
There's never a bad time to buy a classic muscle car that's in
excellent condition - especially when that car is a Boss. While the
71-73 Mustang's production numbers are significant, documented,
top-of-the-line ponies are hot commodities that appear to be just
warming up. If you're looking to buy in to an emerging collector
car niche, don't miss your chance to own this stellar Ford!
HIGHLIGHTS
Fully documented Boss 351 Mustang that's benefitted from a
professional, ground-up restoration
Featured in Randy Leffingwell's The Mustang Forty Year History
Featured in David Newhardt's Mustang Milestones
Featured twice in Car Craft Magazine
Featured twice in Legendary Ford Magazine
Correct 351 cubic inch Ford V8
Correct Toploader 4-speed manual transmission
Factory power steering
Factory power front disc and rear drum brakes
Correct Competition Suspension
Correct Black Ruffino/Corinthian Vinyl interior
Correct Grabber Blue paint (Spies Hecker 2-stage)
15-inch Magnum 500 wheels
Original Build Sheet
Restoration photos and receipts
Eminger Document
Deluxe Marti Auto Works Report
Copies of all the car's features
All RK Motors vehicles receive a comprehensive, multi-point
inspection
We can ship your new classic anywhere in the world