Vehicle Description
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at Auctions America's Auburn Spring event,
May 11-13, 2017.
Chassis No.
9F02Z187777
Estimate:
$275,000 - $325,000 US
The original Boss 302 was built to contend against the Z-28 Camaro
in the Sports Car Club of America's Trans Am Series. Its race-ready
design was the work of ex-GM stylist Larry Shinoda; ironically, the
designer of the 2nd generation Corvette. In mid-1969, the Boss 429
arrived as a way to homologate the "semi-hemi" 429-cid V-8 engine
for NASCAR and NHRA drag racing. And even though it would have been
a better fit in the Torino, the Mustang was Dearborn's image
machine. A minimum 500 examples needed to be produced for public
consumption in order to use the engine in the racing series. The
big-block was shoehorned into the engine bay of the Mustang with
much modification to the front suspension. The work was actually
done by Kar Kraft in Brighton, Michigan. The alterations were
necessary to clear the massive headers of the big-block engine
which was quoted at 375-hp; farcical indeed, as in all likelihood,
it was actually closer to 500-hp. High Performance Cars tripped the
timing clocks at 13.6-seconds in the quarter mile at 106 -mph. No
flashy striping and crazy caricatures other than the callouts on
the front fender. The Boss 429 was all business.
According to the Deluxe Marti Report, this Boss 429 was first
delivered to Front Royal Motors, Inc., of Front Royal Virginia. It
was produced on April 16, 1969, eight days ahead of schedule. Built
in Dearborn, Michigan, it was spec'd in Royal Maroon with Black
Clarion Knit Vinyl Hi-Back Bucket Seats. In addition to the
429-cid, 375-hp Ram Air High Output V-8 engine, four-speed close
ratio manual transmission and Traction-Lok differential, it was
equipped with the Visibility Group; F60x15 tires w/raised white
letters; console; power front disc brakes; power steering; Deluxe
Interior D�cor Group; AM radio; Deluxe seat belts; color-keyed
racing mirrors; Competition Suspension; Functional Front Air
Spoiler; and Trunk-Mounted Battery. The original build sheet shows
a list price of $4,885.26 as equipped. Just 859 were produced in
1969 with another 499 in 1970, adding to their desirability
today.
Nearly fifty years later, the owner states this is an actual 36,000
mile example. It is fully-documented and includes what's reported
to be its original drivetrain and retains its original, rust-free
sheet metal. It benefits from a professional repaint in its factory
color of Royal Maroon with the finish work described as "laser
straight with great panel fit." The original black vinyl interior
remains in excellent condition, too, while the trunk compartment is
original including paint, factory decals on the deck lid, jack,
spare, and tire inflator. The engine bay and undercarriage are
correctly detailed to factory specifications with appropriate
markings. According the consigner, "mechanically the car starts
easily and runs strong and the transmission shifts smoothly through
all the gears." Insuring its authenticity is the original Kar Kraft
order/shipping invoice, a letter from the FoMoCo Customer
Relationship Center, and a partial original build sheet.