1969 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 429 FASTBACK

KK #1908, BUILD SHEET

Ford’s revolutionary Mustang has developed from conception to legend since its 1964 debut, which spawned a whole new class of American automobile, the pony car. The first big-block Mustang appeared in 1967 in the form of the 390-powered GT, followed in 1968 by the 428 Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet targeted at NHRA’s roiling Super Stock classes. In 1969 Ford offered two new models named after designer Larry Shinoda’s nickname for company president Bunkie Knudsen: the Boss 302 for the Trans Am racing series, and the Boss 429, a no-holds-barred muscle machine built to homologate the 429 CI “Semi Hemi” engine for NASCAR.

Kar Kraft of Brighton, Michigan, modified 857 Mustang Fastbacks to accept the huge 429 engine, which required widening the front track by relocating the suspension mounting points and installing special spindles and control arms unique to the Boss 429.
The 429 engine was designed specifically to meet and surpass the demands of NASCAR’s superspeedways and 500-mile endurance contests. Based on a reinforced version of the standard 429, it featured four-bolt main bearings, a forged steel crank and strengthened connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons and a 735 CFM Holley four-barrel mounted on an aluminum intake manifold.

The 429’s aluminum heads featured yawning intake and exhaust ports and were uniquely fitted to the block using the dry-deck method that eschewed head gaskets in favor of individual O-rings seated around each cylinder and all oil and water passages. The earliest 429 engines, coded 820-S, used a hydraulic cam and NASCAR-spec connecting rods; all subsequent engines, dubbed 820-T, were fitted with fortified production connecting rods and solid-lifter cams. Distinguished by its cavernous hood scoop, front spoiler and remarkably restrained “Boss 429” front-fender decals, the “Boss 9” was the hairiest Mustang of its generation and rates as the most valuable today.

This 1969 Boss 429 is Kar Kraft number 1980, denoting its later production after the changeover to the 820-T specification. The nut-and-bolt restoration of this Black Jade 1969 Boss 429 included having the monster powerplant rebuilt by FoMoCo wizards Keith Craft Performance Engines of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, whose dyno testing indicated 484 peak horsepower. The original body panels, undercarriage and interior components were retained along with the matching-numbers drivetrain. Like all Boss 429s, this showstopper also features competition suspension, power steering and power front disc brakes, a close-ratio 4-speed and a trunk-mounted battery. Collectors will appreciate this car’s solid documentation, which includes the original build sheet, owner’s manual with Boss 429 supplement, a Marti Report and the Keith Craft dyno test results.

Highlights

Nut and bolt rotisserie restoration
Engine rebuilt by Keith Kraft Racing
Matching numbers drivetrain
Original body panels and undercarriage
Original interior
Original build sheet
Dyno sheet from Keith Kraft engine 484 HP
Original owner’s manual
Original supplement to owner’s manual
Marti Report
Close ratio 4-speed transmission
Power brakes
Power steering
3.91 posi traction rear
Competition suspension
Trunk mounted battery