1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Competition Yellow

Posted on 7 November, 2012

1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Competition Yellow - Muscle Cars BlogThis lovely muscle car was one clean Boss before it was stripped to bare metal and restored by the prosat Santa Barbara Muscle Cars. They stripped it to a shell, cleaned any trouble spots (there weren’t many), and then refinished it in the original hue. But instead of ancient enamel, it now sports two-stage urethane paint, which gives the rejuvenated Boss a depth and clarity that makes it dazzling in the sunlight. As if that’s not enough, there were only 693 Competition Yellow over black Boss 302s built in 1970, making this a somewhat rare piece.

I mentioned the blacked-out pieces, but this car also still sports a fair amount of chrome and bright work. The front and rear bumpers have been restored to new condition, and all the stainless has been polished. The wing and rear window slats, as well as the front chin spoiler have also been coated in more satin black paint to match the stripes, and the new-for-1970 rear valence panel and taillights got their own coat of black, too. The simple grille is in excellent shape and is probably the original piece in original condition, further proof that this is an exceptionally clean car. Read more!

This one comes with the optional Shaker hood scoop, and underneath you’ll find the original, highly detailed Boss 302 engine. The restorers replaced every missing part, including the emissions control system, distributor, heat shields, and water tubes with correct, NOS Boss items. Ford Blue paint covers the block, heads, and air cleaner underneath the Shaker hood scoop, and the original Boss 302 valve covers were retained. The original Carter X fuel pump was still functioning, but in the interest of reliability, it was rebuilt and reinstalled.

Extensive research ensures that every factory marking, decal, and tag is in the correct place, and all the hardware from the shock mounts to the hose clamps, is accurate. Even the fan belts are correct pieces, not generic replacements from the auto parts store.The only way you could get your Boss was with a 4-speed manual, and the original transmission still lives behind the engine. Out back, there’s a highly detailed and correct Ford 9-inch sporting 3.50 gears and a Track-Lok limited slip. This car was so clean, it didn’t need any floor patches, and in some areas, the original paint can still be found. The floors are red oxide primer with yellow overspray, as original, and like the engine bay, it is highly detailed. The Boss 302 specific springs carry paint marks, the driveshaft has balance stripes, and the brakes have been fully rebuilt. A new exhaust system has been installed, and it’s cool to note that this one was built using the original Ford tooling and the only thing that’s not 100% identical to OEM is the part number.

Finally, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that this car is also equipped with the incredibly rare (making this car possibly one-of-one) “Starburst” wheels, which were on the car from new. These unique wheels wear reproduction F60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GT tires, as original.The beautifully preserved standard black bucket seat interior is all the proof you need that this is a highly original, solid car. Yes, it’s all original, from the seats to the carpets to the headliner. After 41 years, it’s showing a few signs of age, but we had to look twice at more than a few components to assure ourselves that they were indeed original—they just look too nice.

This car was clearly purchased for its performance, and there’s no console or other weight-adding options in the interior save for the optional tilt steering wheel. The gauges are still clear and legible, and the mileage shown is accurate. A Hurst shifter controls the 4-speed, and the original AM radio still lives in the dash and functions as it should. The restored trunk compartment has correct finishes throughout, plus a new mat and inflatable space-saver spare with full jack assembly.

It’s good to know that there’s a complete Marti report that decodes the car and its options, and does suggest that this car, with its Starburst wheels, is the only one of its kind built in 1970!