- Chassis # 0F02G194592
- Engine # 0F02G194592
- 1 of 861 Originally Finished In Grabber Blue
- A Nicely Restored, Matching Numbers Example
- Well-Optioned With Shaker Hood, Sports Slats and 3.50 Traction-LOK Differential
- Includes Marti Report and Original Sales Documentation
The Overview
The Trans-Am series of racing was wildly popular in the late 1960s and was, at the time, being dominated by the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. Ford decided that it was time to put a stop to this, however, the sanctioning body of the Trans Am racing series, the SCCA, required all competing vehicles to be based on a production model. So, Ford set out to build a no-holds-barred version of their Mustang in order to meet homologation requirements and put an end to the fun that the Camaros were having. What they came up with, the Mustang Boss 302, was a hopped-up version of their fastback mustang, fitted with a four-speed transmission, disk brakes, sway bars, a quick-ratio steering box as well as a number of other changes to aid in performance. The engine, which was 302 cubic inches and rated at an understated 290 hp, was made by combining the block from Fords Windsor V8 with the head from their newest “Cleveland V8”. This project was obviously being worked on in secret, and as the story goes, when Larry Shinoda was asked what he was working he simply replied “the boss car”, and the name stuck from there. Ford officially entered into the Trans-Am series in 1969 and although they were competitive, bringing home a few wins, it was Mark Donahue in a Camaro that took home the overall title at the end of the series. In 1970 however, the Boss 302 found success with the legend Parnelli Jones behind the wheel, and the Mustang officially took the Trans-Am title in the over 2-liter class. Having accomplished what they ultimately set out to do, Ford decided to shelf the Boss 302 after only 2 short years. It would be almost 42 years till Ford brought the Boss 302 name back with their 2012 model.
The example on offer here is a numbers matching 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302, chassis number 0F02G194592 and engine number 0F02G194592. It is finished in the always striking Grabber Blue exterior paint with Black Clarion Knit/Corinthian Vinyl Bucket Seats on the interior. The current mileage shows as 46,913 on the odometer. It was produced on June 16, 1970, in the Dearborn plant and sold on October 12, 1970, out of Wilson Ford Sales in Huntington Beach, California. Not much else is known about the car up until the early 2000s when the car received a full and well-done restoration. It was purchased by its previous owner in 2005, located in Oxford Michigan, where it stayed until the current owner purchased it a few years ago. The current owner did add a vintage style air conditioning unit to the car but other then that has simply maintained the car and driven it. This Boss 302 remains in great condition, with the quality of the restoration still showing very nicely almost 20 years later. This car would be considered a strong driver, both mechanically and cosmetically in great shape but with a few very minor imperfections in the exterior that could be easily corrected should a future owner want to take this car to the next level. This particular car is very nicely optioned with many desirable add ons being included from the factory. A brief rundown of options ordered on the car include:
Evaporative Emissions
Four-Speed Wide Ration Manual Transmission
3.50 Traction-Lok Differential
F60X15 Belted Tires With Raised White Letters
Shaker Hood Scoop
Sport Slats
Sport Deck Rear Seat
AM Radio
Decor Group
Tinted Glass-Complete
Included with the sale of this vehicle are the Marti Report and Original Sales Documents.
The Details
exterior
body and paint
The exterior is finished in a fantastic Grabber Blue paint and Boss Vinyl decals in place. The paint itself is in very good condition with a consistent finish and shine all around the car. There are a few small paint runs on the passenger side door edge and quarter panel and some dirt and swirl marks in some areas of the car, which can easily be addressed with a proper paint correction detail. There is also a small crack in the paint on the passenger side leading edge of the rear spoiler as well as a small area where the paint was rubbed off of the rear edge of the spoiler. Additionally, one corner of the hood towards the cowl appears that it was misaligned at one point, leaving some chipping of the paint on the corner. The body itself is straight and shows no flaws. Panel gaps and shut lines are fairly consistent all round.
glass and trim
The glass throughout the car is in great condition with all factory etchings on all side and rear glass, with only the Windshield being replaced. The headlights are clean and clear with no cracking or fogging and the same with the marker lights up front. In the back, the taillights are in great condition also. The chrome trim is in good condition all round with only the front and rear bumper bars showing some signs age and scratching as they appear to be original and not restored.
wheels
The Magnum 500 wheels in the front and rear are in as new condition with no signs of refinishing or any damage, showing as new chrome with faultless center caps and lug nuts.
The tires on the front and back are a set of Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTS with raised white letter radials which are as new all round.
notable flaws
The paint has some runs and in one spot and some dirt and swirl marks around the car. This can be corrected with a proper paint correction detail. The bumpers front and rear appear to be original and not restored and as such, show some signs of age. There are some minor paint imperfections on the rear spoiler as well as on one corner of the hood, none of which takes away from the excellent presentation of this Boss.
interior
seats and surfaces
The interior of the car is finished in original style black vinyl and is in exceptional condition throughout. The seats are finished very nicely in the proper style and show minimal to no signs of aging. The steering wheel, dash, and gauges are also in excellent condition as is the carpet and rear trim pieces. The carpets appear to have been replaced during the restoration and retain excellent color and show minimal wear. The door cards look as they may be original, as the carpeting on the lower sections has faded but other than that, are in good condition. There is a bit of overspray on some of the wiring in the door jams as well. The simulated wood grain trim is all clean and tidy with no peeling or cracking.
functionality and accessories
Everything appears to function as it should on the interior of the car. The windows roll up and down with ease and the doors open and close as they should. The gauges are clear with bright and legible numbers and all appear to display their designated functions as they should. The emergency brake holds the car in place and the Hurst pistol grip shifter moves easily through its range of motion and is fitted with a clean rubber boot around its base.
engine bay and trunk
engine bay
The engine bay is clean and tidy with everything appearing as it should. All the appropriate stickers are in place with original style hoses and clamps used where they should be. Original style Autolite parts are also used throughout, where appropriate.
trunk area
The trunk is also very clean throughout without and signs of any issues with the original style Vinyl Plaid Trunk Mat. The vinyl mat fitment could be a bit better but this is a problem that is easily corrected. The metal underneath the mat is clean and tidy with no signs of any issues past or present.
Underside
The underside of the car appears clean and overall dry and shows no signs of any major issues. There is some evidence of blue overspray on some of the front suspension components, but other than that the underside shows as it should. There is some very minor denting on the front lower valence, but it does not show any cracking of the paint and is only really visible with the car in the air.
mechanicals
engine
The engine appears well sorted from our brief testing. It fires to life easily and settles into a consistent idle. It revs freely and makes excellent power throughout the RPM range with no stumbles or issues to note.
transmission
The 4-speed wide ratio manual transmission is in excellent mechanical order, moving through the gears with ease and holding power wonderfully. The gear selector is topped off with a Hurst pistol grip shifter to make rowing through the gears a fun and easy experience.
brakes and suspension
Both the braking system as well as the suspension system appear well-sorted and mechanically in good order. The car comes to a stop with ease and the suspension system has good road manners with no issues to note.
tires
The tires on the front and back are a set of Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTS with raised white letter radials and appear to be almost brand new.
driving experience
With its sleek and muscular appearance, the Boss 302 Mustang certainly fits the part of “no holds barred” from a visual standpoint. Climbing behind the wheel, the driver finds themselves in a comfortable and fairly well-trimmed cabin with all the amenities one really needs. With a quick turn of the key, the big V8 fires to life, and the true potential of this pony is realized. The car makes excellent and smooth power while the 4-speed transmission makes shifting effortless. The lack of any kind of traction aids means power delivery must be moderated if you want to keep the rubber on your rear wheels. When Ford took on the Boss 302 project they set out to create an all-out performance machine and the 1969 Boss 302 Mustang delivers on that with ease.