After two years the Boss is indeed, dead?
Cobra Member
Joined: February 13, 2011
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From: Southern NH
Here's an obvious question I haven't seen asked about a possible Boss 351...
Why bother?
For the amount of performance you get out of the Boss 302, and also have the over the top GT500, it doesn't make sense to put the time, effort, and energy into a ~500hp NA Boss 351.
Would it be cool? Sure. Does it make financial sense? No.
The Boss 351 was a niche car that appeared during the waning days of the muscle car era, and there's no need to repeat that kind of history. Does anyone remember if the Boss 351 was a hot performer that really made a name for itself? Or was it just a last hurrah that not that many people cared about or really appreciated?
It's simply amazing the kind of 'vintage big block' performance you can get out of the current state of the art small block AND get over 20 mpg on the highway should you wish to do so. If you had a time machine and could go back to 1972 and tell someone that in 40 years you would be able to get a 302 cubic inch normally aspirated small block that had 444hp and was capable of over 20mpg, nobody would believe it.
Why bother?
For the amount of performance you get out of the Boss 302, and also have the over the top GT500, it doesn't make sense to put the time, effort, and energy into a ~500hp NA Boss 351.
Would it be cool? Sure. Does it make financial sense? No.
The Boss 351 was a niche car that appeared during the waning days of the muscle car era, and there's no need to repeat that kind of history. Does anyone remember if the Boss 351 was a hot performer that really made a name for itself? Or was it just a last hurrah that not that many people cared about or really appreciated?
It's simply amazing the kind of 'vintage big block' performance you can get out of the current state of the art small block AND get over 20 mpg on the highway should you wish to do so. If you had a time machine and could go back to 1972 and tell someone that in 40 years you would be able to get a 302 cubic inch normally aspirated small block that had 444hp and was capable of over 20mpg, nobody would believe it.
Post *****
Joined: May 13, 2004
Posts: 18,616
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From: Berkeley/Redwood City, CA
The Boss 351 was a niche car that appeared during the waning days of the muscle car era, and there's no need to repeat that kind of history. Does anyone remember if the Boss 351 was a hot performer that really made a name for itself? Or was it just a last hurrah that not that many people cared about or really appreciated?
also just found this
http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/...rs_guide1.html
The Boss 351 was the premier performance Mustang for 1971, stickering at $4,124, or a premium of more than $1,000 above a base Mustang SportsRoof. That big pile of money bought performance: Motor Trend recorded a quarter-mile time of 13.8 seconds, while Car and Driver reported that the car "offers dragstrip performance that most cars with 100 cubic inches more displacement will envy." In fact, Sports Car Graphic found that a 1971 Mach 1 equipped with a 429 Cobra Jet engine just nipped the Boss 351 in a race from zero to 60mph, 6.3 seconds to 6.6, despite its 78-cubic-inch advantage. Add in the fact that most critics considered the small-block car to be better balanced, and it becomes clear that the Boss was the car to beat.
all that being said, I can't see a new boss 351 happening. As great as the 5.8 in the GT500 is, I don't think its going to be around for too much longer.
Cobra Member
Joined: March 29, 2011
Posts: 1,265
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From: Minnesota
I would like to hear someone from Ford try to explain why there will not be a 2014 Boss 302. The Boss 302 engine is already certified and the car has been crash tested. I can understand why the 2012 and 2013 models had racing stripes that honor the 1969 and 1970 Boss 302 Mustangs. It would be easy for Ford to let the stylist use their imagination to create racing stripes for a 2014 Boss 302. It would be an easy way for Ford to make money on a model that is already to go. It just does not make sense to discontinue the Boss 302. That would hardly cost Ford anything and the Boss would look new and refreshing. When the Boss 302 nameplate was revived for the 2012 Boos 302, the Ford reps talked about going after the M3 and building a car that was fast and handled exceptionally well. To hear the Ford reps talk, one would think the Boss 302 was going to be around as long as there was an M3. What happened to change their minds ?
Last edited by 2 Go Snake; Nov 6, 2012 at 11:36 PM.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 6, 2006
Posts: 14,053
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From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by 2 Go Snake
I would like to hear someone from Ford try to explain why there will not be a 2014 Boss 302. The Boss 302 engine is already certified and the car has been crash tested. I can understand why the 2012 and 2013 models had racing stripes that honor the 1969 and 1970 Boss 302 Mustangs. It would be easy for Ford to let the stylist use their imagination to create racing stripes for a 2014 Boss 302. It would be an easy way for Ford to make money on a model that is already to go. It just does not make sense to discontinue the Boss 302. That would hardly cost Ford anything and the Boss would look new and refreshing. When the Boss 302 nameplate was revived for the 2012 Boos 302, the Ford reps talked about going after the M3 and building a car that was fast and handled exceptionally well. To hear the Ford reps talk, one would think the Boss 302 was going to be around as long as there was an M3. What happened to change their minds ?
Cobra Member
Joined: March 29, 2011
Posts: 1,265
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From: Minnesota
Someone, please post a direct quote from a Ford rep who actually said there would only be a two model year production run of the Boss 302. The GT 500 is a limited producton model and look how many are produced each year to maintain its exclusivity. Ford has an opportunity to take the 2014 Boss 302 to a new fresh level by just adding different grahics. As a Ford shareholder, I would like to see financial gains made from the production of a 2014 Boss 302.
Last edited by 2 Go Snake; Nov 6, 2012 at 11:57 PM.
GTR Member
Joined: October 18, 2006
Posts: 5,553
Likes: 11
From: England
Larry, Larry, Larry..............no-one is saying there won't be a "Boss-like" model on the new S550 platform.
I can't argue that Ford could produce a '14 Boss 302, but I'm glad they're not. Yes, it denies us a great car for the '14MY, but it also means the '12 and '13 Boss 302s remain exlusive and that, in the looooooooooong story that is the Mustang's history, it's a worthy chapter as they are honouring the original Boss 302s.
Yes, in theory there could have been a Boss 351 (ok, 355, but the marketing dept would have dropped a few cubes) with a N/A 5.8. BUT, with the all new model just around the corner, Ford will be ploughing all their efforts into whatever new/modified engines are coming with S550. The writing is on the wall.........a N/A 5.8 is not going to happen either, not now, not ever.
What does slightly suprise me is that Ford didn't use the Boss tech in another SE for '14. A Bullitt using the Boss engine and suspension would have been easily do-able.
BUT, just get used to the fact that Ford are not giving us an SE for '14 (the appearance package is the most we'll get) and just look forward to whatever Ford dishes up for us for S550. It could be better than a Boss and those M3s will be running scared.
I can't argue that Ford could produce a '14 Boss 302, but I'm glad they're not. Yes, it denies us a great car for the '14MY, but it also means the '12 and '13 Boss 302s remain exlusive and that, in the looooooooooong story that is the Mustang's history, it's a worthy chapter as they are honouring the original Boss 302s.
Yes, in theory there could have been a Boss 351 (ok, 355, but the marketing dept would have dropped a few cubes) with a N/A 5.8. BUT, with the all new model just around the corner, Ford will be ploughing all their efforts into whatever new/modified engines are coming with S550. The writing is on the wall.........a N/A 5.8 is not going to happen either, not now, not ever.
What does slightly suprise me is that Ford didn't use the Boss tech in another SE for '14. A Bullitt using the Boss engine and suspension would have been easily do-able.
BUT, just get used to the fact that Ford are not giving us an SE for '14 (the appearance package is the most we'll get) and just look forward to whatever Ford dishes up for us for S550. It could be better than a Boss and those M3s will be running scared.
Last edited by Twin Turbo; Nov 7, 2012 at 12:03 AM.
Bullitt Member
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From: Central Mass.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: June 16, 2007
Posts: 621
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From: Hagerstown, MD
there wont be a new boss, mach 1, bullitt....etc etc....in this nation again.
the united states of obama and his cafe regulations and such will kill any hopes of any "sports" car that you would ever dream of....get them now while you still can....or he will have all of them taken to the junk yard> remeber cash for clunkers?? you wait and see.... i guess canada isnt looking to bad right now....to live
the united states of obama and his cafe regulations and such will kill any hopes of any "sports" car that you would ever dream of....get them now while you still can....or he will have all of them taken to the junk yard> remeber cash for clunkers?? you wait and see.... i guess canada isnt looking to bad right now....to live
Bullitt Member
Joined: August 24, 2011
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Originally Posted by SINBUSTER007
there wont be a new boss, mach 1, bullitt....etc etc....in this nation again.
the united states of obama and his cafe regulations and such will kill any hopes of any "sports" car that you would ever dream of....get them now while you still can....or he will have all of them taken to the junk yard> remeber cash for clunkers?? you wait and see.... i guess canada isnt looking to bad right now....to live
the united states of obama and his cafe regulations and such will kill any hopes of any "sports" car that you would ever dream of....get them now while you still can....or he will have all of them taken to the junk yard> remeber cash for clunkers?? you wait and see.... i guess canada isnt looking to bad right now....to live
Cobra Member
Joined: September 10, 2004
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Larry, Larry, Larry..............no-one is saying there won't be a "Boss-like" model on the new S550 platform.
I can't argue that Ford could produce a '14 Boss 302, but I'm glad they're not. Yes, it denies us a great car for the '14MY, but it also means the '12 and '13 Boss 302s remain exlusive and that, in the looooooooooong story that is the Mustang's history, it's a worthy chapter as they are honouring the original Boss 302s.
Yes, in theory there could have been a Boss 351 (ok, 355, but the marketing dept would have dropped a few cubes) with a N/A 5.8. BUT, with the all new model just around the corner, Ford will be ploughing all their efforts into whatever new/modified engines are coming with S550. The writing is on the wall.........a N/A 5.8 is not going to happen either, not now, not ever.
What does slightly suprise me is that Ford didn't use the Boss tech in another SE for '14. A Bullitt using the Boss engine and suspension would have been easily do-able.
BUT, just get used to the fact that Ford are not giving us an SE for '14 (the appearance package is the most we'll get) and just look forward to whatever Ford dishes up for us for S550. It could be better than a Boss and those M3s will be running scared.
I can't argue that Ford could produce a '14 Boss 302, but I'm glad they're not. Yes, it denies us a great car for the '14MY, but it also means the '12 and '13 Boss 302s remain exlusive and that, in the looooooooooong story that is the Mustang's history, it's a worthy chapter as they are honouring the original Boss 302s.
Yes, in theory there could have been a Boss 351 (ok, 355, but the marketing dept would have dropped a few cubes) with a N/A 5.8. BUT, with the all new model just around the corner, Ford will be ploughing all their efforts into whatever new/modified engines are coming with S550. The writing is on the wall.........a N/A 5.8 is not going to happen either, not now, not ever.
What does slightly suprise me is that Ford didn't use the Boss tech in another SE for '14. A Bullitt using the Boss engine and suspension would have been easily do-able.
BUT, just get used to the fact that Ford are not giving us an SE for '14 (the appearance package is the most we'll get) and just look forward to whatever Ford dishes up for us for S550. It could be better than a Boss and those M3s will be running scared.
I'm definitely looking forward to the S550 and it will likely offer a model that performs at least as well or better than the Boss. The M3's are scared, very scared
Mach 1 Member
Joined: June 16, 2007
Posts: 621
Likes: 12
From: Hagerstown, MD
Mach 1 Member
Joined: June 16, 2007
Posts: 621
Likes: 12
From: Hagerstown, MD
just responding to why there will not be another boss or SE. my opinion. sorry i rustled your feathers. no politics here....
maybe get the moderator to delete my last comment if it bothers everyone that much. (if they so choose)
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Joined: March 9, 2011
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Originally Posted by SINBUSTER007
just responding to why there will not be another boss or SE. my opinion. sorry i rustled your feathers. no politics here....
maybe get the moderator to delete my last comment if it bothers everyone that much. (if they so choose)
lol
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 6, 2006
Posts: 14,053
Likes: 166
From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by SINBUSTER007
just responding to why there will not be another boss or SE. my opinion. sorry i rustled your feathers. no politics here....
maybe get the moderator to delete my last comment if it bothers everyone that much. (if they so choose)
Mach 1 Member
Joined: June 16, 2007
Posts: 621
Likes: 12
From: Hagerstown, MD
yes, i saw. was just giving him a chance to delete if he wanted.
from what i read and have seen, i do not see any of the big engines going in to any car in the near future, and that would mean the mustang, unless it was a SE and only in an SE. but you will have limited runs and prices will be similar to what the new 2013 shelby's are. unfortunately with the regulations from the govt. most cars will be small, compact and will be fuel efficient. i think that is quite obvious from what the auto makers are doing now. if the new model does not appeal to me i will just start buying used boss's mach1's and such. fair enough? back on topic.
from what i read and have seen, i do not see any of the big engines going in to any car in the near future, and that would mean the mustang, unless it was a SE and only in an SE. but you will have limited runs and prices will be similar to what the new 2013 shelby's are. unfortunately with the regulations from the govt. most cars will be small, compact and will be fuel efficient. i think that is quite obvious from what the auto makers are doing now. if the new model does not appeal to me i will just start buying used boss's mach1's and such. fair enough? back on topic.