From the spectator’s point of view, it was hard to imagine how Trans Am could improve upon its glorious 1970 season. With Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, and even American Motors supporting a number of teams, running a variety of cars, and with an enviable roster of top-notch drivers, it was truly an incredible time in North American motorsport. Perhaps the most desirable cars of the era were the Boss 302 Mustangs supplied by Kar Kraft for the 1969–1971 seasons. After a hard fought battle against the Sunoco Camaros in 1969, Bud Moore’s Mustangs emerged victorious in 1970 and the team was eager to repeat its success the following season.

At the end of 1970, in preparation for 1971 competition, Kar Kraft provided four additional “bodies in white” to Bud Moore Engineering, identified as 1-1971 through 4-1971. Once in the possession of Bud Moore, these last cars were christened BME nos. 1–4 and have been identified as such ever since. Unfortunately, as the 1971 season approached, the Ford Motor Company discontinued support for the Trans Am program. As such, Bud Moore Engineering ran a shortened schedule, using just two of the four “bodies in white” that had been provided and left a third in reserve as a back-up car.

BME NUMBER 3

The car on offer here, known as BME number 3, was that season’s back-up car and remained in reserve the entire season should BME no. 1 or no. 2 be sidelined or written off for the season. As luck would have it, this third team car was not called upon for competition. However, it can be assumed that the Mustang would have been driven during testing in the hands of the Bud Moore team with George Follmer or Peter Gregg behind the wheel.

After the end of the 1971 season, both BME no. 1 and no. 2 were sold, but BME no. 3 was retained by the team until 1972 when it then was sold to Morris Davis of Punta Gorda, Florida, and was equipped with a 351 cu. in. V-8. Its first subsequent race would be in the hands of Dan Daughtry in the Paul Revere 250 at Daytona, though the car retired due to mechanical problems after 28 laps. In late 1973, this car was purchased by Len Cammack of New Jersey and was raced by noted NASCAR driver Wendell Scott in the IMSA GT series through 1975 with some success. Unfortunately, the car was eventually sidelined as the team’s finances ran out and it could no longer compete with the newer cars in the series. The Mustang was then parked at Scott’s facilities in Danville, Virginia, and sat there until 1984 when it was purchased by Mike Durham.

Durham, recognizing the importance of the car, began the restoration of the Boss 302, but ultimately ended up selling the car mid-restoration in 1988 to Mark Hereford. Hereford completed the work in 1991 with assistance from engine specialist Don Hodges and Richard Rodeck for paint and bodywork. That same year, the car was awarded a 100-point score in three SCCA concours events. Mark also raced the car at the 1992 Sears Point Wine Country Classic. BME no. 3 was then sold to fellow historic-racer Ken Epsman in 1995 and subsequently to Jamey Mazzotta in 1999. Mazzotta raced the car in the Historic Trans-Am Series until it was acquired by his good friend Jim Click, who has continued to race the car during his ownership. Following the installation of new brakes, Koni adjustable shocks, and a carburetor rebuild, BME no. 3 was raced at the 2015 Monterey Historics, where it won the Trans Am race.

A piece of Mustang and Trans Am history, the BME racecars have proven themselves to be fearless competitors in contemporary historic racing events. A highlight of Jim Click’s Ford Performance Collection, this Bud Moore Boss 302 would be a prized addition to any gathering of historically significant Mustangs and Trans Am machines.