During the mid-1960s, the non-competition pact adopted by the Big Three nearly a decade earlier had fallen to shreds, with increasingly open factory-based support provided to supposedly independent racers. Ford, in particular, faced stiff competition from Chrysler in NASCAR competition. The Blue Oval camp required a new engine, but NASCAR rules demanded that at least 500 similar cars be built and made available to the public.

Ford developed a new 429-cubic inch V-8 with all-new, free-flowing cylinder heads, an aluminum high-rise intake manifold, a 735 CFM Holley carburetor, 11.0:1 compression, header-style exhaust manifolds, and a beefy four-bolt main block, conservatively rated at 375 horsepower.

When dropped into the Mustang, it created the Boss 429, a pony car with abundant muscle. To handle the power, the stout “Toploader” four-speed manual transmission and a 3.91:1 Traction-Lok rear axle were mandatory options. Other features included an engine oil cooler, a trunk-mounted battery, a competition suspension with front and rear anti-roll bars, power front disc brakes, and fat F60x15 tires. The production process required numerous modifications to accommodate the new engine, including cutting and relocating the shock towers. To alleviate the in-house production burden, Ford had the cars converted at Kar Kraft, of Brighton, Michigan.

At $4,087, the Boss 429 was the priciest non-Shelby Mustang to date, and it was available in very limited numbers, with fewer than 900 produced for the 1969 model year.

Don Davis’ Wimbledon White Boss 429 was delivered in Denver, Colorado, in 1969, equipped with power steering, power front disc brakes, a Philco radio, a Hurst shifter, and factory competition suspension. Reportedly intended to be used on the NHRA Super Stock drag racing circuit, the project was abandoned shortly thereafter due to NHRA rule changes, and the Boss went into storage for over a decade. It was discovered years later, its original block sourced and re-installed, and the car lovingly restored to, frankly, better than it would have been when new. It speaks highly of the effort that the car had been restored, to ensure greatness it was sent to Bob Perkins, widely recognized as the master of Boss 429 restorations, who went over the Boss from stem to stern until it was absolutely correct, down to the tiniest of details. All original tags, stampings, and markings “from the factory” are present throughout and in their correct locations. Under the body and under the hood are spectacular and show virtually no wear, and all of the correct decals expected by Boss 429 experts are present.

Due to having been stored from new until its restoration, and then used as a pampered show car ever since, this Boss 429 really is “new.” The 97 miles, yes, 97 miles, on the odometer are verified accurate and original, making this the lowest-mileage Boss 429 to survive today.

Awarded a Gold Award at the 2005 Boss Car Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, this pristine Boss 429 is supplied with extensive documentation, including copies of the window sticker, factory delivery documentation, the owner’s card, the owner’s manual, all the factory tags, and a full Marti Report verifying its original options, as well as a detailed appraisal for the previous owner, in which the car’s condition is carefully detailed, and a discussion of its restoration by restorer David Randal. Combining thorough documentation, Bob Perkins vetting, and lower original mileage than any of its brethren, this is the new Boss 429 from the local dealer in 1969. It is absolutely as good as will ever be seen again.