The original Boss 302 was built to contend against the Z-28 Camaro in the Sports Car Club of America’s Trans Am Series. Its race-ready design was the work of ex-GM stylist Larry Shinoda; ironically, the designer of the 2nd generation Corvette. In mid-1969, the Boss 429 arrived as a way to homologate the “semi-hemi” 429-cid V-8 engine for NASCAR and NHRA drag racing. And even though it would have been a better fit in the Torino, the Mustang was Dearborn’s image machine. A minimum 500 examples needed to be produced for public consumption in order to use the engine in the racing series. The big-block was shoehorned into the engine bay of the Mustang with much modification to the front suspension. The work was actually done by Kar Kraft in Brighton, Michigan. The alterations were necessary to clear the massive headers of the big-block engine which was quoted at 375-hp; farcical indeed, as in all likelihood, it was actually closer to 500-hp. High Performance Cars tripped the timing clocks at 13.6-seconds in the quarter mile at 106 -mph. No flashy striping and crazy caricatures other than the callouts on the front fender. The Boss 429 was all business.

According to the Deluxe Marti Report, this Boss 429 was first delivered to Front Royal Motors, Inc., of Front Royal Virginia. It was produced on April 16, 1969, eight days ahead of schedule. Built in Dearborn, Michigan, it was spec’d in Royal Maroon with Black Clarion Knit Vinyl Hi-Back Bucket Seats. In addition to the 429-cid, 375-hp Ram Air High Output V-8 engine, four-speed close ratio manual transmission and Traction-Lok differential, it was equipped with the Visibility Group; F60x15 tires w/raised white letters; console; power front disc brakes; power steering; Deluxe Interior Décor Group; AM radio; Deluxe seat belts; color-keyed racing mirrors; Competition Suspension; Functional Front Air Spoiler; and Trunk-Mounted Battery. The original build sheet shows a list price of $4,885.26 as equipped. Just 859 were produced in 1969 with another 499 in 1970, adding to their desirability today.

Nearly fifty years later, the owner states this is an actual 36,000 mile example. It is fully-documented and includes what’s reported to be its original drivetrain and retains its original, rust-free sheet metal. It benefits from a professional repaint in its factory color of Royal Maroon with the finish work described as “laser straight with great panel fit.” The original black vinyl interior remains in excellent condition, too, while the trunk compartment is original including paint, factory decals on the deck lid, jack, spare, and tire inflator. The engine bay and undercarriage are correctly detailed to factory specifications with appropriate markings. According the consigner, “mechanically the car starts easily and runs strong and the transmission shifts smoothly through all the gears.” Insuring its authenticity is the original Kar Kraft order/shipping invoice, a letter from the FoMoCo Customer Relationship Center, and a partial original build sheet.