Boss 302
Ford's factory-built Trans-Am homologation special, produced 1969-1970, featuring a high-revving 302 cubic inch V8, aggressive styling, and race-bred suspension. Built to qualify Ford for SCCA Trans-Am racing, where it dominated. The "Boss" name came from styling manager Larry Shinoda, who called everything cool "Boss." Also: one of the most valuable production Mustangs—a 1970 Boss 302 can cost $150,000-$250,000, proving that when Ford decides to build a race car for the street, collectors will pay stupid money for it 50 years later.
What 'Boss 302' Actually Means
The Boss 302 was Ford's purpose-built Trans-Am race car in street-legal form, designed to compete with Chevrolet's Camaro Z/28.
Production:
- 1969: 1,628 units
- 1970: 6,318 units
- Total: 7,946 units (two years only)
Boss 302 engine specifications:
302 cubic inch V8:
- Horsepower: 290 HP @ 5,800 RPM (conservative rating)
- Actual power: 320-340 HP
- Torque: 290 lb-ft @ 4,300 RPM
- Compression: 10.5:1
- Forged steel crankshaft
- Four-bolt main caps
- Solid lifter camshaft
- 351 Cleveland heads (canted valves, huge ports)
- Aluminum high-rise intake
- 780 CFM Holley 4-barrel
- Dual-point distributor
- Header-style exhaust manifolds
The Cleveland head innovation:
Boss 302 used 351 Cleveland cylinder heads on a 302 Windsor block. Cleveland heads had:
- Canted valves (better flow)
- Larger ports (more airflow)
- Massive combustion chambers
- Result: 302 that breathed like a 351
Transmission:
- Close-ratio Borg-Warner T-10 4-speed (mandatory)
- Hurst shifter
- 3.50 or 3.91 Traction-Lok rear
Suspension:
- Competition suspension package
- Staggered shocks (rear)
- Front sway bar
- Gabriel adjustable shocks
- Competition-tuned springs
Styling:
- Blacked-out hood with functional scoop
- Rear window slats (Mustang SportsRoof)
- Front spoiler
- Rear deck spoiler
- Side stripes ("BOSS 302")
- Magnum 500 wheels (1970)
Weight: ~3,200 lbs
Performance:
- 0-60 mph: 6.5-7.0 seconds
- Quarter mile: 14.0-14.5 @ 98-102 mph
- Top speed: 118 mph
- Cornering: 0.85g (exceptional for 1970)
I drove a Boss 302 once. Owner warned me: "Don't rev it past 5,000 without reading the warning." I read it. Warning said engine safe to 6,500 RPM but "severe engine damage will result from sustained operation above 6,000 RPM." Translation: This engine WANTS to rev to 7,000, but Ford lawyers said no. It's intoxicating and terrifying.
Why It Matters for Your Mustang
Boss 302 represents peak factory Mustang performance from the muscle car era.
Value comparison (1970 example):
- Regular 302 Mustang: $30,000-$50,000
- Mach 1 351: $50,000-$80,000
- Boss 302: $120,000-$250,000
- Boss 302 premium: +$70,000-$200,000
Most valuable Boss 302s:
- 1970 Grabber Orange/Blue: $180,000-$250,000
- 1969 any color: $140,000-$220,000
- Documented race history: +$30,000-$80,000
- Numbers-matching: +$20,000-$50,000
Factors affecting value:
- Year (1969 more rare, 1970 more desirable styling)
- Color (Grabber Orange, Grabber Blue most valuable)
- Originality (numbers-matching critical)
- Documentation (window sticker, build sheet)
- Condition (concours vs driver)
Investment performance:
Boss 302 values up 400-600% over 20 years. Among best-performing Mustang investments.
Cost Impact
| Repair Type | Typical Cost (LA) | Labor Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Body and paint (concours) | $25,000–$50,000 | Correct Boss 302 colors and finishes |
| Engine rebuild (Boss 302) | $15,000–$30,000 | 351C heads, solid lifters, correct components |
| Transmission (close-ratio T-10) | $3,000–$6,000 | Correct ratios, Hurst shifter |
| Suspension (Boss competition) | $5,000–$10,000 | Staggered shocks, correct springs |
| Interior (Boss-specific) | $8,000–$15,000 | High-back buckets, Rim-Blow wheel |
| Boss-specific parts (NOS/correct) | $10,000–$25,000 | Shaker, slats, spoilers, badges |
| Wheels/tires | $2,000–$5,000 | Magnum 500s (1970), correct tires |
| Exhaust | $1,500–$3,000 | Correct manifolds, dual system |
| Documentation/authentication | $1,500–$4,000 | Marti Report, expert verification |
| Labor (assembly, detail) | $15,000–$35,000 | Concours-level assembly |
*Total Boss 302 restoration: $86,000–$183,000. LA labor rates: $110–$140/hour for specialized work. Boss 302 is valuable enough that concours restoration makes financial sense (unlike common Mustangs).
Ask me how I know these numbers.
Common Issues
Clone/Fake Boss 302
Regular Mustang with Boss graphics—VIN must have "G" code (5th character) to be authentic
Incorrect VIN Code
Boss 302 VIN 5th character must be "G"—not "G" means not authentic Boss
Missing 351C Heads
Boss 302 requires 351 Cleveland heads on 302 block—hydraulic lifters indicate fake
Solid Lifter Maintenance
Requires valve adjustment every 3,000-5,000 miles—audible lope at idle
Missing Boss-Specific Parts
Shaker hood (1969), rear slats, spoilers, badges—NOS parts expensive and rare
See This in Action
- Boss 302 Buyer's Guide
Authentication tips, value analysis, and investment outlook
- Boss 302 Engine Guide
351C head swap, performance specifications, and rebuild costs
Want to Learn More?
Download the Mustang Restoration Starter Kit (LA Edition) for:
- Complete terminology reference guide
- Cost estimation worksheets
- Pre-purchase inspection checklist
- Shop interview questions
- Project timeline planning tools
No upsells. No bait-and-switch. Just the information Dorian wishes he'd had before he bought his first project car.