Autoblog

Gotta Have It Green 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 snapped getting comfy in Detroit [w/poll]

Chris Paukert — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Ford, Design/Style

You've heard us gush about the Ford Mustang Boss 302 before, calling this 444-horsepower coupe "The pony car's best ambassador." Sadly, we have yet to drive the updated 2013 model, which includes, among other things, a reworked front fascia, improved front-end cooling, a more assertive front splitter and new paint and graphics options.

Among those new color choices is Gotta Have It Green, which reminds us somewhat of Porsche Emerald Green popularized on 911 models in the 1970s, albeit a bit flatter. Photographed here being jockeyed into place at Ford's Detroit Auto Show stand this morning, this is actually the second look we're giving you at Gotta Have It, though these photos are markedly clearer (and more numerous) than the ones we showed you back in November. We like the new reflective 'hockey stick' side graphic that replaces the boomerang U-shaped treatment of the 2012 model, but if we're being honest, we're on the fence about the pastel-like paint finish.

If you don't (like) Gotta Have It, there's also a new Impact Blue paint choice, along with School Bus Yellow and last year's Black, Ingot Silver, Race Red and Performance White. Unfortunately, we didn't spy either of the other new colors on Ford's Cobo Hall show stand while we were there for a preview this morning, but they could still make the scene before press days get underway next week.

Speaking of high-performance Mustang models, Autoblog has learned that rumors of the 2013 Shelby GT500 Convertible debuting in Motown are 100-percent false (as if to reinforce that fact, we spotted a 2012 model on a display stand). The most-powerful 'Stang droptop will debut this auto show season, though Ford wouldn't officially say at which show (we're thinking Chicago Auto Show).

So, now that you have a better look at Gotta Have It Green, does it live up to its name? Take our second-chance poll below and let us know what you think in Comments.

View Poll

Gotta Have It Green 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 snapped getting comfy in Detroit [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Racing quietly shows off Mustang Boss 302SX

Chris Shunk — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Ford

We can't get enough of the Boss Mustang 302, and it appears Ford Racing can't, either. Mustang Daily reports that Ford unleashed the newest member of the Boss family at the PRI show in Florida; the Boss 302SX. The Boss 302 concept is called the ultimate track car, and its stats tell the story.

The SX package delivers the updated looks of the 2013 model, and adds a bit more kick under the hood. The overhauled 5.0-liter V8 will reportedly crank out over 500 horsepower due to changes that include the same intake manifold as the 2013 Mustang Cobra Jet.

Mechanical upgrades also include an improved oil cooler, fuel system, adjustable coilover suspension and Ford Racing mufflers. Team Ford also made changes at all four corners with lightweight 18x9.5-inch wheels mated to racing slicks. And of course, Brembo brakes have been added all around and the interior features an FIA-spec six-point roll cage to protect whoever sits in the single Recaro seat behind the wheel.

Keep in mind that the Boss 302SX is just a concept for now, but all we can see is a serious track star that is begging for production.

Ford Racing quietly shows off Mustang Boss 302SX originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford reportedly hard at work on 2013 Mustang Boss 302 updates

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Rumormill

According to the singularly obsessed minds at Mustangs Daily, Ford is already hard at work updating the Boss 302 for 2013. Owners of the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302, while seemingly quite pleased with their new coupes, have apparently made a few suggestions to Ford that would make them even happier. The Blue Oval has reportedly listened to most of the suggestions and is planning a few updates for the 2013 model.

For starters, Sync is coming to the previously infotainment tech-less cabin of the Boss 302, along with a modest 4.2-inch LCD screen and the MyKey system. The exterior will get a few changes in the form of a broader color range and new forward illumination. High-intensity discharge headlamps are on the way, though it's not clear if they will be made a standard feature or an optional extra. The choice of exterior paintwork will now include Gotta-Have-It Green, School Bus Yellow, Grabber Blue, White and Red.

If you don't need Sync, the 2013 will make your 2012 a little cheaper. If you do want Sync, then 2013 will be your year. As Michael Scott might say, this represents a win-win-win. (Ford getting the third nod.)

Ford reportedly hard at work on 2013 Mustang Boss 302 updates originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford shows Aussies who's Boss with special FPV Falcon

Noah Joseph — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 11:05:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, Australia

FPV Boss 335 GT - Click above for image gallery

There's no shortage of similarities to be found between Australia and the United States. Both are former British colonies flying red, white and blue flags; both are big masses of land divided into states; both have Top Gear spinoffs and share a common affinity for Crocodile Dundee. We could go on, but the key commonality here is love for muscle cars. More than anything, that's what ties these two countries together from opposite ends of the Earth.

General Motors has capitalized on that shared trait by bringing powerful Holdens over to America under Pontiac badges. Arch-rival Ford, meanwhile, has gone the other way, taking a popular American performance badge and slapping it on one of its Australian products.

The result is the Ford Boss 335 GT. Based on the Falcon sedan, Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has given the Boss 335 GT a touch more power than the 2012 Boss 302 Mustang: the 335's supercharged 5.0-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 pumps out 450 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque (compared to the 440hp and 380 lb-ft on the all-motor Boss Mustang). The power's driven to the 19" rear wheels through a six-speed manual and kept in check by oversized, cross-drilled and ventilated Brembo brakes.

FPV's also made sure the special Falcon got all the requisite striping you'd expect from a Boss, and equipped the interior with everything they bad to throw at it. With the American and Australian dollars close to par, though, the $70,000 sticker price may seem a little steep. UNfortunately, this is an exclusively Aussie product, so if you (i.e. our U.S. readers) want to show 'em who's Boss, you'll have to stick to the Mustang. Dang.

Gallery: Ford Boss 335 GT

[Source: FPV via Top Speed]

Ford shows Aussies who's Boss with special FPV Falcon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Jay Leno gets exclusive look at Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca

Zach Bowman — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ford

Jay Leno takes a look at the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca - Click above to watch video after the jump

Sure, Jay Leno has some pretty varied taste when it comes to cars, but the apple of his eye is likely his '66 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350. He's owned the car for the better part of a quarter of a century, and it routinely comes up when he speaks about the essence of a good-driving car. It's fitting, then, that Leno was on hand for the debut of the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition. With 440 horsepower from a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8, track-oriented aerodynamics and a lively 3.73 rear axle ratio, this sucker is designed for some serious flogging.

Leno managed to corner Tom Barnes, the vehicle engineering manager for Mustang, trackside for a quick rundown of what the new Boss and the Laguna Seca edition are all about during the latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage.

Now, the really interesting part of this whole video is when Leno lets it slip that the Boss will feature a unique tech-laden key. Barnes wasn't willing to elaborate on the details, saying that more information would be released at a later date. Hit the jump to see the full video for yourself.

[Source: Jay Leno's Garage]

Continue reading Video: Jay Leno gets exclusive look at Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca

Video: Jay Leno gets exclusive look at Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Ex-Gurney 1969 Shelby Trans Am Mustang Boss 302

Zach Bowman — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Auctions, Ford, Racing

Dan Gurney's 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Trans-Am - Click above for image gallery

Here's your chance to lay your hands on a piece of muscle car history. One of Dan Gurney's 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 racecars is up for bid on eBay Motors with a chilly Buy it Now price of $1.1 million. The car campaigned in a number of race series, but the biggest feather in its cap is that it helped Ford secure the silver in the 1969 Trans-Am manufacturer championship. According to the listing, this particular example was the prototype for the rest of the Trans-Am Mustangs driven that year, and it was built for Caroll Shelby's team by Kar Kraft.

Gurney whipped the car around the track at Kent and used it for practice at Sears Point, but Peter Revson piloted the Boss to its best finish of the '69 season - fourth at Laguna Seca. After Shelby walked away from the Trans Am series, the Ford spent some time as a wind-tunnel test car and made its way around a variety of race circuits, nabbing an SCCA Championship along the way. In 2003, it was restored to its 1969 configuration in concourse condition, complete with a 527 horsepower 302 under the hood.

The auction includes a mountain of documentation, including signed letters of authenticity from Carroll Shelby himself, Kar Kraft engineering drawings and a stack of period photos of the car going fender to fender. Hit eBay Motors to check it out.

Gallery: Dan Gurney's 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Trans-Am

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: Ex-Gurney 1969 Shelby Trans Am Mustang Boss 302 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 May 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford more than hints at new street-legal Boss Mustang

Zach Bowman — Fri, 14 May 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ford, Rumormill

2011 Boss 302R - Click above for high-res image gallery

Is it time for the Boss to come back to the Mustang stable? According to the Pony-obsessed crew over at Mustang Heaven it is. The site reports that with the return of the mighty 5.0-liter V8, Ford is seriously considering bringing the hi-po Boss 302 version back to the streets. And what evidence do they have to bank on? Evidently, Mark Fields, the president of the Americas for FoMoCo, dropped a pretty big hint at this year's 2010 Ford Dealer Show.

Fields was speaking about the special-edition Mustangs in the company's recent past, including the Bullit, Mach 1 and C/S, and said that while he couldn't tell the crowd what was coming down the pike, he could give everyone a small hint. Supposedly a 1970 Boss 302 purred across the stage behind him as he finished speaking.

Back in the day, if you were one of the Ford faithful and wanted to tango with the big-bad Camaro bruisers, you ordered up a Boss 302. The car came with special V8 that featured a set of healthy Cleveland heads, a four-speed manual gear box and a competition-bred suspension. If we're very, very lucky, we can expect a similar build program to crop up on the new generation.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Boss 302R

[Source: Mustang Heaven]

Ford more than hints at new street-legal Boss Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 May 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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6.2L Boss V8 found under hood of 2010 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson

John Neff — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Ford

Click above for more high-res images of the 6.2L Boss V8

It pays to have friends who pay attention. We got a call this morning from Mike Levine at Pickuptrucks.com who told us we were sitting on something big and didn't even know it. He pointed us to our gallery of live, high-res images of the 2010 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson from last week's 2009 Chicago Auto Show and said, "Look at the engine." Our images of the HD Edition's motor did not reveal the ubiquitous 5.4L V8 with which were told the truck would launch, but rather a bigger engine covered by a plastic shroud emblazoned with "6.2L Boss". This engine, which produces 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, is only slated to power the F-150 SVT Raptor at the moment. That makes its attendance at the '09 Chicago show beneath the hood of the HD Edition quite surprising. Levine contacted Ford about the Boss being in Chicago, but a spokesman for the automaker commented, "The only engine confirmed for the Harley-Davidson F-150 is the 5.4L V8 it will launch with." Read into that all you want, but we'd venture to guess the 5.4L V8 won't be the only engine under the F-150 HD's hood for long.

Gallery: Chicago 2009: 2010 Ford Harley Davidson F-150

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

6.2L Boss V8 found under hood of 2010 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: 2011 Ford F-150 to share new V8 with Mustang, also get EcoBoost V6

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:17:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Technology, Ford

PickupTrucks.com is reporting that by the end of 2010, Ford will alter the three engine options that currently make up the engine choices in the F-150. What is coming in time for the 2011 model year will be a new 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and a 5.0-liter V8 code-named "Coyote."

Subbing the V6 EcoBoost for the V8 is about providing the same power with more efficiency. Said to be the premium engine for light-duty trucks, the direct-injection gas engine will offer something like 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque while carrying an EPA rating of "at least 23 miles-per-gallon on the highway." Those power numbers handily beat what you'll get from any of the current engines on offer, even though it's down two cylinders.

The "Coyote" 5.0-liter, modular, four-valve V8 will have "huge heads," and will return the same numbers as the V6: 400 hp and 400 lb-ft. This engine will become the standard F-150 lump, returning the same gas mileage as the current 5.4-liter but with much more power. This same engine will also reportedly find its way into the Mustang. That will leave the 6.2-liter V8 (the Boss) slated for the Raptor later this year as last engine choice (unless there's a 4-cylinder EcoBoost added in 2013), and it will go into special edition F-150s and the Super Duty trucks.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

REPORT: 2011 Ford F-150 to share new V8 with Mustang, also get EcoBoost V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DARPA driverless vehicles to race at Grand Prix of Long Beach

Michael Harley — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Technology

Click above for high-res gallery of the DARPA Urban Grand Challenge

It was the GM-powered Carnegie Mellon team that took first prize at the DARPA Urban Grand Challenge last year. Now the team will be sending its entrant, nicknamed "Boss," to the 2008 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on the weekend of April 19 - 20. There, in front of cheering race fans, the autonomous vehicle will strut its stuff on the track and at speed against competitors "Junior" from Stanford, and "Ben" from the University of Pennsylvania and Lehigh University.

It's a demonstration, not a race, so don't expect these vehicles to put up a fight against the ultra-fast Champ Cars (no worries - they won't be sharing the track at the same time). In all honesty, with running speeds estimated at about 15 mph, these four-wheelers will err on the slow side of caution if given the chance. Nobody can predict, however, how well the driverless vehicles will complete the 1.97-mile Grand Prix course, but we're willing to bet that the DARPA entrants hit fewer walls than the "stars" participating in Saturday's Celebrity Race.

Gallery: 2007 DARPA Urban Grand Challenge

[Source: engadget]

DARPA driverless vehicles to race at Grand Prix of Long Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Melbourne 2008: New FPV lineup shows the Blue Oval does badass, too

Alex Nunez — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:12:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Truck, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia, FPV

Click image for a hi-res gallery of the turbocharged FPV F6

Despite how it might seem, all the action at the Melbourne motor show is not happening over at the Holden and HSV stands. Dearborn's Australian outpost put on its brass knuckles too and is teasing Melbourne showgoers with Ford Performance Vehcie's latest, greatest muscle. The arrival of the new FG Falcon means that a full lineup of FPV variants follows, and the new F6, GT and Super Pursuit ute are all on display. Like HSV, which hasn't announced power numbers for its W427, FPV is keeping the stats for its new machinery under wraps for now.

We're confident that the numbers will match the cars' gloriously extroverted looks. Colors out of a gumball machine, matte black accents, and stripe packages give the cars a vintage musclecar vibe. Big wheels, big brakes and all the requisite badges and bulges complete the look. The F6 (above) is particularly evil, with its black wheels, "eye black," and visible intercooler. The interiors of all the cars appear to be very well-detailed, with snazzy instrumentation, sharp looking accessories (look at the shift knob), and very inviting seats.

As with the higher-end standard FG Falcons, power comes from either a turbo inline-six or a beefy Boss V8. FPV takes those already-impressive engines and makes them even more imposing. We know we have the Mustang and its impressive Shelby-badged factory specials, but man, what we wouldn't give for some of this Aussie muscle. We'll be eagerly awaiting the official June launches.

Gallery: 2008 FPV F6

Gallery: 2008 FPV GT

Gallery: 2008 FPV Super Pursuit

[Source: FPV]

Continue reading Melbourne 2008: New FPV lineup shows the Blue Oval does badass, too

Melbourne 2008: New FPV lineup shows the Blue Oval does badass, too originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Want a new Bullitt or BOSS Mustang? Go to Japan.

Alex Nunez — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:35:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Ford

While everyone waits patiently (or for some folks, impatiently) for Ford to release the new Bullitt Mustang, Blue Flame, a Japanese firm that imports and distributes Mustangs over yonder, has taken the initiative to offer its very own Bullitt package. And it looks really good. Available for both V6 and V8 Mustangs, the obvious cosmetic changes (optional blacked-out grille, side window louvers, side scoops, spoiler delete, Bullitt badging, Highland Green paint, etc.) are paired with additional features like Eibach springs, Saleen pedals, and an upgraded Pioneer stereo. Those looking for more can opt for performance and handling upgrades from Ford Racing and Saleen at added expense. Based on the pictures on Blue Flame's site, it's a very nice conversion.

If that's not enough, the company has a slick BOSS package on offer as well. Follow the jump for that one.

Thanks to Scott for the tip!

[Source: Blue Flame American Distributions Network]

Continue reading Want a new Bullitt or BOSS Mustang? Go to Japan.

Want a new Bullitt or BOSS Mustang? Go to Japan. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota's F1-san calls it quits

Noah Joseph — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:55:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Japan, Toyota

Any way you look at it, Toyota's foray into Formula 1 has not yielded positive results. Despite throwing unprecedented amounts of money at the effort, their F1 team has not produced the kind of results to which the automotive giant has become accustomed. So they've apparently decided that it was time for a change in management.

Tsutomu Tomita, who saw the program through from conception to fruition, will be yielding to corporate vice-chairman Tadashi Yamashina at the end of June. Toyota has yet to announce what role Tomita will assume upon his return to corporate headquarters, but you can bet it won't be as exciting as the fast-paced world of F1 racing.

Toyota is spinning the shift as an ordinary shuffle in management, but when their F1 team has been rumored to benefit from the largest budget on the grid and has still yet to win a single race, it becomes clear that Toyota is hoping a new boss at their racing headquarters in Cologne will change their fortunes.

[Source: TSN]

Toyota's F1-san calls it quits originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Playboy Pink Mustang

Scott Davis — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:34:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Ford

If there were ever a vehicle that could pull off the color pink, it would certainly be the current Ford Mustang. The unmistakable connection to the 60's lends itself well to the same successes Ford enjoyed forty years ago, as evidenced by the rejuvenated Shelby connection, GT/CS and the upcoming Boss. Unique colors were a 60's trademark as well, and the new palette covers the spectrum with hues such as White Chocolate, Crème Brule, Dark Cherry, Grabber Orange, Merlot, French Silk, Lime Gold, Orange Frost and Light Sage. Playboy Pink, first available on a Mustang in 1967, might be next.

It seems that Team Mustang engineers have been tossing the idea of Playboy Pink model around ever since the new body was penned. Given the fact that they are currently producing the hottest model in the Ford line up, they are being given a wide breadth when it comes to the implementation of new ideas.

The new Mustang certainly has enjoyed smashing success in the marketplace, and with the continued proliferation of new models, how can they pass on Playboy Pink? What a great opportunity for some co-marketing! The question is will Ford "pony" up the dollars to Hef? We don't think so, but never fear, the fanatical Mustang fan base will quickly resurrect the name and include "Playboy" in any reference to the color.

[Source: stangsunleashed]

Playboy Pink Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA: Galpin's BOSS Mustang heralds return of production version

John Neff — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 21:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Ford

click on image to enlarge

The Galpin BOSS 302 Mustang is tucked away in Ford's booth bathing in its own Grabber Blue glory. The car features the brand new BOSS 302 crate motor producing, from what we hear, a relatively modest 340 out of a potential 500 horsepower. Aside from that, we can only go on what we see since no information was accompanying the car. What extra info do you need? It's got the BOSS 302 graphics, louvers, a deep chin spoiler, wood-rimmed steering wheel and T-handle shifter. We have to seriously knock Galpin, though, for those GAS (Galpin Auto Sports) wheels that make the retro muscle car look too tunerific.

Just as the BOSS 302 crate motor is a precursor to the return of the BOSS production engine, the Galpin BOSS 302 paves the way for a production BOSS Mustang that's due in 2009. The production version of the BOSS engine, which will share virtually nothing with the crate motor besides its name, will first debut in the F-150 (remember the Hurricane engine? same thing) before showing up in a BOSS Mustang suitable for mass consumption. Until then, if you're jonesing for a BOSS Mustang you'll have to hit up Galpin.

Continue reading SEMA: Galpin's BOSS Mustang heralds return of production version

SEMA: Galpin's BOSS Mustang heralds return of production version originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Oct 2006 21:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The return of the Ford Boss 302

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 07:54:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Performance, Ford

Both images are available in hi res, by clicking.

For the past few years, one engine has garnered more attention than any other: Chrysler's Hemi. Between garish badging and a sublimely ridiculous TV advertising campaign, 'Hemi' has become synonymous with large displacement, American power. Ford wants a piece of that branding action too and has re-introduced the Boss 302 V8.

Originally called the Hurricane, the newly developed V8 underwent a name change to distance itself from a certain disaster off the Gulf Coast. The project was originally shelved in 2005, but Mark Fields decided that the development costs were necessary to compete in a market rife with clever branding strategies.

The 5-liter V8 will make anywhere between 340 and 500 HP, with the base block costing about $1,800 and a fully built unit running between $5k and $10k.

Although the engine is only available in crate form now, the new Boss will find a home under the hood of the 2008 F150, the Shelby GT, a 40th anniversary version of the pony car in 2009, the Boss Mustang, due the same year, and a few other special edition vehicles over the next three years.

More information and live pics are on their way. As always, stay tuned.

[Source: Ford, BlueOvalNews and the Detroit News]

The return of the Ford Boss 302 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Oct 2006 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Money for nuthin'?: Musclecar VIN Decoder

Scott Davis — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 10:03:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Auctions, Marketing/Advertising

Musclecar collecting is as speculative as the oil market. Prices on the same model can vary as much as 1000% depending on how they are optioned. HEMI, Boss, Shelby, RS/SS, Z/28, COPO, Cobra Jet, L89. To the musclecar enthusiast, these legendary nomenclatures are musclecar gold.

With the vast array of information available today, the unscrupulous among us have become quite adept at building "clone" cars. These cars began life as an entry-level model and are transformed, quite accurately, into the fire-breathing monsters that bring the big bucks. That's where the website http://www.decodethis.com steps in.

From any Internet connection, even mobile phones and PDA's, they can decode the VIN for many of the hottest musclecars. 1965-73 Mustang, '67-'71 Camaro and Firebird, '53-'74 Corvette, any 1966-70 Chrysler (Dodge, Plymouth or Chrysler), '60-'69 Fords, and '60-'65 Chevrolets, quite a comprehensive list.

Take a minute to check this out. You guys at the auctions now have one more tool to be sure that the Hemi Dart you are bidding on wasn't born with a Slant-Six! Wherever there is money, counterfeiters will surely follow and as we all know, money doesn't always come with brains attached.

Thanks to Richard Brown for the tip!

[Source: decodethis.com]

Money for nuthin'?: Musclecar VIN Decoder originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Oct 2006 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The boss just wants a simple ride

Noah Joseph — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Earnings/Financials

Think captains of industry are all driving top-of-the-line luxury sedans like the Mercedes S-Class or Jaguar XJ8? Think again. Business Week theorizes that most CEOs just want a simple set of wheels that will reliably get them to and from the corner office and to their next appointment with a minimum of fuss.

According to a pole conducted jointly by Cars.com and CareerBuilder.com, the average CEO spends less than $25,000 on a car, while only 19% of those poled drive luxury cars. The largest portion is driving run-of-the-mill passenger cars (29%), followed closely by SUVs (24%). Some, like the heads of construction companies, prefer the utility of a pick-up truck (13%) or vans (9%), while a small percentage opt for sports cars (6%). (The size of the companies whose CEOs were surveyed was not specified.)

Related post:

What do billionaires drive? Same cars as the rest of us...

[Source: Business Week via StraightLine]

The boss just wants a simple ride originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Oct 2006 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BOSS FX-57: PC modder's tribute to a classic Mustang

Alex Nunez — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 14:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Ford

Most people are happy to have a PC that simply gets the job done. There are a lot of hardcore enthusiasts and gamers, however, who go to great lengths to modify and personalize their computers. Craig Tate (aka Tech Daddy) is recognized as one of the premier modders out there today, and his latest creation is something the staff here at Autoblog would pretty much kill for: The BOSS FX-57.

Craig is a big fan of the 1969 BOSS 302, and used that car's styling cues as the design inspiration for his new PC. Painted in that familiar orange, and sporting custom BOSS striping, the FX-57 designation goes where you'd normally find the "302," replacing the car's displacement with the name of the AMD Athlon 64-bit processor that gives this BOSS its horsepower.

A custom hood scoop mounted on the top of the case acts as the exhaust port for an "blow hole" fan. "Supercharged 6800GT" adorns the sides, a reference to the machine's video card. Around back, the exhaust fan grilles are made of RC car wheels (brilliant), and the open side panel shows the world perhaps the coolest (and simplest, according to Craig) mod of all: a real air filter mounted atop the CPU heatsink fan. We're not worthy.

Custom lighting adorns everything, and the mouse and keyboard are also painted to match the case. We'll admit to not knowing of any other auto-themed custom PC's, but we're going to go out on a limb here and say that Craig Tate's one-of-a-kind BOSS FX-57 is the benchmark against which all others will be judged.

Check out Craig Tate's complete photoessay on the build at Bit-Tech.net.

[Source: Bit-Tech.net]

BOSS FX-57: PC modder's tribute to a classic Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Aug 2006 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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