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10.26.2011
Filed under Books and Media >Reviews
A race-bred, street legend makes the ultimate comeback.
Featuring a foreword by the legendary Parnelli Jones, this book comes out of the gate strong, and never lets up. We were fortunate to have an advance look at Motorbooks' latest, Mustang Boss 302: From Racing Legend to Modern Muscle Car by Donald Farr.
More than the typical fan-type book, this hard-bound bad boy is officially licensed from Ford, and has more cool behind-the-scenes photos and information than you're likely to find almost anywhere. Beginning with Larry Shinoda's timeless design, tracking the car's legendary racing history, we peek inside, and get a front-row look at the re-introduction of the model for 2012.
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From the Motorbooks press release:
Of the legendary names in the history of the Ford Mustang, one stands apart: BOSS. Originally created to homologate the new Boss 302 engine and option package for SCCA Trans-Am racing, the Mustang Boss 302 debuted for the 1969 model year and was built in limited numbers for the street. Designed by the legendary Larry Shinoda, the Boss cars were easily distinguished from their less potent stablemates by their race-bred powerplants, standard spoilers, and bold graphics.
With no small amount of fanfare today, Ford is paying homage to its performance past with the reintroduction of the 5.0-liter V-8 in the Mustang GT. Though no longer the iron-block, pushrod Windsor engine of yore, Ford’s newest iteration of a DOHC, modular V-8 is the most potent base Mustang GT motor yet, topping 400 horsepower.
For the 2012 model year, Ford is at long last reviving the most revered of all Mustang models: BOSS. With a new racing counterpart and a modern street version that makes more than 440 horsepower, the Boss is truly back!
Our take on it:
This 160 page book is LOADED with mind-blowingly cool factory and development photos, insights, and history. We've read a number of fan-boy type books over the years, but this was no "hey, here's some general info" books... it is, in fact, a bound collection of "get pumped up for the new 2012 Boss 302!". Seriously, it gets the blood pumping... even for non-Ford guys.
Above is the 1969 302 HO, as used in Trans Am racing. This is just one of the over 250 images in the book, and all are of the highest quality.
Learn your Boss 302 history from test bed to optioned street legend...
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The really fun stuff is in the development images and history. Learning the ins and outs of the Boss 302, an gleaning some production and option facts that will make Boss 302 spotting a fun activity would be worth the cover price alone! Creating what was, at the time, the best handling street car available was an exercise in pushing engineering limits, as well as 1960's tire technology. It's interesting to compare the development of this car to modern pro-touring ideals... while the technology is certainly advancing, the Boss 302 Musting certainly has proven, historically, to continue to be an inspiration.
Compare today's smart-phone apps for g-machine tuning with what was state-of-the-art in 1968! Imagine hauling this to track days!
Overall, a brilliantly well-written book that primes the pump for the next generation of legendary Mustangs. HIGHLY suggested. You'll love it.
Mustang Boss 302: From Racing Legend to Modern Muscle Car
By Donald Farr
Officially Licensed by Ford
Hardcover with jacket, 160 Pages
ISBN: 9780760341414
Illustrations: 215 in color, 51 black and white
Availability: August 29th
$30.00
$19.80 in our Book Store HERE...
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