Editor’s note: This is the seventh in a 10-day series featuring cars to be sold June 23-25 at Barrett-Jackson’s 2016 Northeast Auction.
In the late 1960s, Ford created a big-block engine designed to compete in NASCAR against Chrysler’s dominating 426 Hemi V8. In the quest to homologate its 429 cid “semi-hemi” engine, Ford created the 1969-1970 Mustang Boss 429, a limited-production pony car. With just over 1,350 built during the two-year run, that was one of the most sought after performance machines of the muscle-car era.
For the Boss 429, Ford contracted Kar Kraft to wedge the huge engine into the space beneath the Mustang’s hood. That necessitated a number of alterations, including widening of the inner front fenders and relocation of the shock towers, revising the front suspension and moving the 85-amp battery to the trunk.
A three-quarter-inch sway bar was added to the rear suspension to improve handling of the now nose-heavy car, effectively making the Boss 429 the first production Mustang to utilize such a rear suspension setup.
Each Boss 429 was fitted with a four-speed manual transmission, 3.91:1 rear axle with Traction-Lok, dual exhaust, functional hood scoop and front spoiler, competition suspension, engine oil cooler, power steering and power front disc brakes.
Engine performance was conservatively rated by Ford at 375 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, but actual output was more than 500 hp.
Offered with a reserve at Barrett-Jacksons inaugural Northeast auction is this 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 fastback, lot 669, finished in Wimbledon White with Black Clarion vinyl high-back bucket seats.
The matching numbers car has benefited from a nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration to the highest Mustang Club of America concours standards, which has been fully documented with many detailed photos.
The car has a two-owner history and comes with the factory Build Sheet, manuals, brochures, warranty card, owner data plate and Marti Report.
Other highlights of this Boss 429 include F60x15 tires with raised white letters, console, power front brakes, power steering, deluxe interior décor group, AM radio, deluxe belts with warning light, and color-keyed racing mirrors.
The car remains in gold condition with provenance and documentation.
