BOSS 302 HISTORY
The Ford Mustang isn’t just a car – it’s an American automotive icon.
And of the more than 9 million Mustangs sold to date over the five
different platform generations covering the past five decades, there is
arguably one high-performance model that stands above the rest in both
reverence and respect among enthusiasts, racers and collectors alike.
That’s the Boss302.
Many consider the 1969-70 model years to be the high-water mark of the
so-calledMuscle Car era.Semon E. “Bunkie” Knudsen was hired as
president in an effort to pump new blood into the Ford Motor Company
product pipeline.
Bunkie set out to secure Ford corporate bragging rights once and for all
with an all-new racing-inspired Mustang model. Knudsen wanted a
Mustang race car to champion a hot, new Ford small-block V-8 that could
power a competitive entry in the Trans Am road racing series. So he
tagged designer Larry Shinoda with the task of designing what a
production version of the new race car should look like.
Knudsen had ordered that his new road-racing Mustang not only be
powerful, but also that it should be “absolutely the best-handling street
car available on the American market.” Shinoda came up with racy looks
for the new Mustangs that he was designing forthe boss– which was
how he referred to Knudsen. Both the styling ofthe Boss’ car,and the
name, stuck.
Enter the 1969Boss302built to compete in the performance car
arena. The Boss302 was built so that Ford could go out and win in
Trans Am racing. Shinoda’s design for the Boss302 included front and
rear spoilers, racy side stripes, a matte-black hood and even rear window
louvers – but it was performance that really helped sell the cars.
The Boss302 dazzled the enthusiast press, established a new level of
interest in Ford performance, and became a force to be reckoned with
on the racetrack. The Boss302 was edged out of winning the 1969
Trans Am racing series in the car’s inaugural season. But Parnelli Jones
and George Follmer piloted their Boss302 Mustangs to the victory
circle more than any other team in the hotly contested 1970 campaign,
giving Ford the manufacturer’s championship, all while the road going
versions were buildingstreet cred.
Introduction
4
2012 05+ Mustang(197)
Supplement, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
•For track sessions, it is recommended to run 41 psi (283 kPa) hot for
the OEM tires, front and rear.
•Depending on track temperature, ambient temperature and driving
style, you may need to reduce the starting tire pressure by as
much as 4 psi (27 kPa).
•The starting pressure may be lower in the rear tires relative to the
front tires to achieve 41 psi (283 kPa) hot.
•Reset tire pressures to placard recommended pressures before
leaving the track.
•For improved track performance, Ford recommends
,
available through Ford Racing. See your local Ford dealer or go to
http://www.trackey.ford.com for more information (M-14204-MBTKA).
•
Your Boss302 is equipped from the factory with Brembo 4-piston front
calipers and unique, high-performance rear brake pads that will provide
excellent performance under normal driving conditions. Ford recommends
the following bedding procedure for race track driving be followed.
Note:Restore the vehicle to factory specifications prior to driving on
public roads.
Brake burnishing procedure for race track driving
If the vehicle has to be driven on a track (racing) or in severe driving
conditions, the following steps must be performed on a closed course,
not on public roads:
•
Burnish: 30 burnish stops at 60-0 mph (96-0 km/h), 0.4g deceleration,
one mile (1.6 km) between stops. If the vehicle has more than 200 miles
(322 km) on the brakes, skip this step and proceed to the Fade stops.
•Fade: 20 fade stops, at 65-0 mph (105-0 km/h), 0.85g deceleration or
just below ABS activity, no dwell between stops
•Cool down: Minimum of five mile (8 km) cool down route, if on public
roads (no brakes) run at 60 mph (96 km/h)
•Recovery: 30 recovery stops at 60-0 mph (96-0 km/h), 0.4 g
deceleration, one mile (1.6 km) between stops
•Cool down: Minimum of five mile (8 km) cool down route, if on public
roads (no brakes) run at 60 mph (96 km/h)
Track Use Preparation
38
2012 05+ Mustang(197)
Supplement, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
