1969 Ford Mustang BOSS 302

Just five years after the debut of the production Mustang, Semon E. “Bunkie” Knudsen signed off on a high-performance version of the Mustang which customers could have on the streets. It arrived mid-1969 as the BOSS 302 and was built to homologate the short-stoke engine in the Trans-Am series.

Knudsen put designer Larry Shinoda and engineer Howard Freers on task to create a visual exciting and highest-performing Mustang on the market.

Chassis engineer Matt Donner worked on adapting a heavy duty suspension for Goodyear’s F60 Polyglas tires which was one of the highest performing street tires available. He fitted stiffer springs , shocks and special sway-bar tuning. During testing they also reinforced the chassis which later became standard on all Mustangs.

Power came from the potent four-bolt main Windsor small-block 302 engine which made use of new wedge chamber cylinder heads from the 351 Cleveland engine. The forged steel crankshaft, connecting rods and pistons made exceptional use of the short stroke to produce 290 horsepower and 290 lb.-ft. of torque.

To match the performance upgrades designer Larry Shinoda designed the car around black stripes and body pieces; both the trunk and hood were black and C-shaped stripes along with the BOSS 302 were standard equipment on the BOSS 302.

Furthermore Shinoda added a functional front spoiler to reduce lift. At the rear the a black wing was fitted along with black window shades and a painted taillight surround.

The 1969½ Mustang Boss 302 arrived in March and had a shirt production span before the 1970 model with an updated body style took its place.

Story by Richard Michael Owen