From the moment the Ford Mustang galloped onto the scene in 1964, Ford found themselves in a constant battle for pony car dominance. Their success spurred a wake of competitors eager to snatch a piece of the market. One such competitor is the Chevrolet Camaro, which gave the Mustang heavy competition, especially in the late 1960s and early 1970s, owing to its racing success. To counter this, Ford unveiled the Boss Mustang 302 in 1969, which was developed to meet homologation requirements for Trans Am racing, a series often dominated by the Camaro. Shelby reworked the units that raced, and they reclaimed the Trans-Am championship from Chevrolet. The only downside was that being a homologation model, the Ford Mustang Boss 302 was produced for roughly one year, with its production spanning from 1969 to 1970.
Just as the name implies, the Ford Mustang Boss 302 has a 302 cubic-inch (5.0-liter) small block V8, originally used in the 302 Mustangs. In 1969, it received extensive upgrades, boosting its power to 290 horsepower and a matching torque figure. Like the previous model year, a 4-speed manual gearbox was the only transmission option. Besides the engine and transmission, Ford had to build a car that could win, which also applied to customer models. As a result, all 1970 Boss 302s received a ton of upgrades, including front discs as standard and an upgraded suspension. These upgrades added some weight, pushing the car to around 3,400 pounds despite making it a formidable track car. Official 0-60 mph and top speed figures aren't available, but estimates suggest the 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 could do 0-60 mph in under 7 seconds and achieve a top speed near 100 mph.
Unlike the stripped-down interiors of race-prepared Boss 302s, customer models got somewhat premium cabin appointments compared to other Mustangs. However, instead of the regular Mustang seats, you get bucket-style seats with enough bolstering to make some standard seats in new cars feel outdated. Black vinyl was the dominant interior color, but it's common to find full red or brown vinyl interiors. Besides the seats, other elements remained similar to other Mustangs with only a few minor differences, such as the dashboard housing a temperature gauge that was not standard on all Mustangs. Additionally, the steering wheel should have a three-spoke design compared to the two-spoke steering found in a majority of classic Mustangs, which Ford supposedly introduced to enhance safety.
The 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 might resemble any other Mustang at first glance, but it has several visual enhancements that are as functional as they are aesthetically pleasing. This blend of form and function gives it a sporty look, needing only racing numbers and sponsor decals to be track-ready. At the front, the bumper features functional air vents to cool the engine, complementing the hood scoop that enhances airflow into the engine bay for intake. Additionally, the front chin spoiler reduces aerodynamic drag. A distinctive feature of performance Mustangs, including the 1970 Boss 302, is the matte black stripe on the hood designed to reduce glare. Buyers seeking a more aggressive look could also opt for a decklid spoiler and window louvers finished in the same anti-glare matte black as the hood.
The absence of an automatic transmission option in the 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 speaks volumes about Ford's intention with it. The upgraded suspension that earned it "the best handling Mustang" title incorporated extra bracing on the shock towers, staggered rear shocks, and stiffer springs and shocks. The wheels and tires were also upgraded to enhance handling, as all Boss 302 Mustangs were sold with lightweight Magnum 500 chrome wheels. These were wrapped in wide oval tires, resulting in a widebody appearance since the wheel arches had to be widened to accommodate the tires. Some sources also state that the exhaust was enhanced due to Ford fitting new exhaust manifolds to go with the upgraded Cleveland heads on the engine. All these upgrades mean that a pristine Mustang Boss 302 shouldn't require extensive upgrades to make it a blast to drive.
Being a limited edition model, expect a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 to command a six-figure price tag, though some may sell for less. Classic.com puts the average setting price at roughly $92,000, which should give you a ballpark of what to pay for one if the seller is accepting offers or you're buying at an auction. Looking for a place to buy one? Exotic Car Trader features a variety of Mustang listings, where you might find a Boss 302 that meets your preferences.
Whether you're a collector or an enthusiast, the 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 is one of the most appealing classic Mustangs to own today. With prices reflecting its rarity, finding the right one might require a bit of patience and investment, but the reward is a timeless vehicle that delivers pure driving pleasures, among other attributes. Exotic Car Trader creates an exclusive and safe way of buying and selling cars, eliminating the daunting experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. Every vehicle listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring legitimacy for our buyers. Also, Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is well outlined, with all fees and packages providing our buyers with a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our Transactions Team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some of the benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today! So, the 1970 Boss 302 isn't just a muscle car. It's a time capsule of Detroit muscle at its peak.
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