This 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Was Built for Power and Finesse
Classics
American
About 190,000 Ford Mustangs - opens in new window or tab. were produced for the 1970 model year. But just a few were built in Boss 302 high-performance trim. One of these exceptional Ford Mustang Boss 302s was recently listed on eBay, just one of 861 produced that year in the highly sought-after Grabber Blue color.
Birth of a Boss
Ford conceived the Mustang Boss 302 during a period of ferocious competition between domestic carmakers. It came about because of homologation requirements for Trans Am road racing - opens in new window or tab.. Series organizers required that a certain number of similar production models be built and made available to ordinary buyers.
The popular series pitted American pony cars like the Chevrolet Camaro - opens in new window or tab., Dodge Challenger - opens in new window or tab., and the Mustang against one another on race courses throughout the United States.
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Most muscle cars of the time relied on big block engines and raw horsepower for success at the drag strip. But the Boss 302 was designed to deliver sharp handling, tenacious cornering, and straight-line performance.
Muscle Meets Finesse
The Boss 302’s handling prowess was the result of numerous suspension upgrades, including:
- Stiffer springs and shock absorbers
- Added bracing on the front shock towers, staggered rear shocks, and sway bars - opens in new window or tab. front and rear
- Stock 14-inch tires were replaced with wide F60X15 wide oval tires mounted on Magnum 500 chrome wheels - opens in new window or tab..
The changes were enough for Car & Driver to declare the Boss 302, “The best-handling Mustang yet.”
That's not to say that the Boss 302 wasn't a contender in a straight line. Homologation requirements dictated a maximum engine displacement of 302 cubic inches, which engineers put to maximum use.
Modifications to Ford’s existing 302 V-8 included a strengthened engine block, high-strength steel connecting rods, and higher-performance cylinder heads with larger valves. The result was a published 290 horsepower, a conservative number.
Low Miles and Like New
The exceptional Boss 302 for sale on eBay retains its numbers-matching engine and four-speed manual transmission, the only gearbox offered in these limited production performance cars. The seller says this Boss 302 had a complete rotisserie restoration - opens in new window or tab..
Showing just under 55,000 miles, this well-optioned example is equipped with factory extras, including a shaker hood scoop - opens in new window or tab., rear window louvers, a folding back seat, and a rare factory 8-track stereo - opens in new window or tab. tape player with speakers mounted in the front doors.
The Boss 302’s incredible performance and relatively affordable pricing meant that most owners were not shy about driving them hard. Enthusiastic drivers doomed many of them to an early demise.
Their scarcity has led to a price increase that shows no signs of letting up. That makes this exceptional Mustang a handsome and historic addition to any collection. It will only continue to appreciate.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.