I just found out yesterday that there was an issue with the email server and I just got a bunch of VERY late emails with the requests. I am not sure what the issue was that caused this, but the important thing is that it has been resolved and more importantly, your requests have been completed.

I apologize for any inconveniences this may have caused. I hope you all continue to enjoy the site!

Sincerely,

John

A member of the forums on TheMustangSource.com known as Topnotch has posted some production information regarding the new Boss models. Here’s what is being reported:

• 2012 Boss 302 Produciton: 4,000 total units; 3,500 regular Bosses + 500 Laguna Seca models
• 2012 Boss 302 to have 1969 Boss 302-style, which is already obvious
• 2013 Boss 302 Production: 4,000 total units; 3,500 regular Bosses  + 500 “R” model Bosses
• 2013 Boss to have a 1970 Boss 302-style, likely similar to the 302R

Regarding the possible “R” model for 2013, this could either be a car similar to the Laguna Seca version, perhaps with the name of a different race track as the package name, or it could possibly be an even more race-oriented version of the Boss. Something along the lines of taking the Laguna Seca a step further and removing even more content such as a radio, air conditioning and more. A Boss done in this way would be essentially the same idea as the Cobra R’s of 1993, 1995 and 2000.

Again, none of this has been confirmed by Ford yet, as far as I can find so it may all just be speculation. Also, there is still no word on pricing. If I had to guess, I would prepare for high $30′s to low $40′s for the regular Boss 302′s and maybe mid-$40′s for the Laguna Seca edition.

Be sure to keep checking back for more information as it becomes available.

Mustang Chief Engineer Dave Pericak

Today Mustang Chief Engineer Dave Pericak participated in a live chat with Mustang enthusiasts. Unfortunately, I was unable to participate, but I do have a summary of all the Boss-related questions he was asked. There were only a couple of questions he was asked that weren’t Boss-related. Some of the following questions and subsequent answers may be obvious to most of us, but here they are:

What is it like to be the chief engineer of the Ford Mustang?
Dave Pericak: Being the Chief engineer is an awesome responsibility as everything we do is in support of a legend. I also work with the best vehicle team in the business. This team is full of Mustang enthusiasts that truly love what they do.

Any word on a price range for the boss 302? This looks like its going to be an amazing car!
Dave Pericak: We will announce pricing later this year but you can expect the price to be between the Mustang GT and the GT500.

In your opinion, what is the best year Mustang ever produced?
Dave Pericak: I currently own a 1968 and a 2000 GT convertible. I plan to put the 2012 Boss 302 Laguna Seca in my garage! Hopefully that gives you some insight into my favorite Mustang!

Approximately when will the Boss 302 be available to order?
Dave Pericak: We will announce the availability and pricing later this year so stay tuned. However, it will be in the showroom in the spring.

Will the Boss 302 come (with an) automatic?
Dave Pericak: The Boss 302 is a true racing machine and therefore will only be offered in a manual coupe version. Is there any other way to handle the track?

What is the horsepower of the Boss 302?
Dave Pericak: The Boss 302 is producing (naturally aspirated) 440 HP at approx. 7,500 RPM.

The new boss mustang will it have a supercharger?
Dave Pericak: True to its heritage the Boss 302 is a naturally aspirated engine. We built it off of the 5.0L engine that we just introduced in the 2011 GT. Don’t forget, the GT500 utilizes a supercharger to achieve 550HP.

Do you see any competition between the Boss and SVT, as far as what a customer may want? They’re touting the Boss as the best yet, but I have to imagine a 5.4L would beat the Boss’ motor, I dunno though…
Dave Pericak: There are really two different customers for these vehicles. The Shelby GT500 has near limitless power, great for acceleration, and can be purchased in both coupe and convertible configurations. The Boss is more purpose-built for pure track performance and road course racing yet it is still drivable on the road. I already told you what vehicle I’m putting in my garage!

How many miles to a gallon will the Boss have?
Dave Pericak: We will have final fuel economy numbers closer to the launch.

For the 2012 Boss 302 – When they say “limited” production how many does Ford plan on making or will demand effect production as well?
Dave Pericak: The Boss will be a limited production, limited volume vehicle. This limited production will keep Boss exclusive and collectible.

Will the Boss 302 be a one year special edition? or become an option package we can expect for a few years on the GT? Do you see the Boss 302 finding itself in the hands of people who just want a hot mustang to drive around on a regular basis compared to those who want it as a track car only?
Dave Pericak: The Boss will be true to it’s heritage. There will not be an option package to add to a GT. The only way you get a Boss is to buy one. As far as who will purchase, I hope everyone that wants one gets one!

Will the Boss 302 be available in Canada?
Dave Pericak: Yes the Boss will be available in Canada.

What colors will the boss come in?
Dave Pericak: The Boss will come in 5 colors: Competition Orange (unique to the Boss), Race Red, White, Kona Blue and Yellow Blaze. The Laguna Seca package will be offered in Black and Silver.

Is this Boss 302 a 4-speed?
Dave Pericak: The Boss 302 utilizes the newly introduced 6 speed manual transmission found in the 2011 Mustang GT.

What kind of things do you do being head engineer? Did you physically help with the new Mustang?
Dave Pericak: I am a very hands on Chief who spends most of my time with the team in the garage making Mustang what it is today.

Will any parts from the BOSS 302 be available as aftermarket add-ons?
Dave Pericak: A few of the Boss components will be available via Ford Racing. However, the Boss engine is purpose-built and will only be available in the Boss.

What tires are on the boss? did you have any problems selecting the right type like the SVT team did w/the Shelby?
Dave Pericak: The Boss is fitted with high performance 19″ Pirelli PZero summer tires 255×40 and 285X35. The Laguna Seca gets the same size but Pirelli R compound Corsa tires.

Ok, so there you have it. Some Q&A with one of the best people to ask for info. Some of his answers were obvious (and maybe even predictable), but you can read between the lines on a few of them when it comes to what to expect from the new Boss 302, in terms of both performance and substance.

One thing is for sure: This car is going to kick some major ass!!!

***Updated 9/3/10 with a new video. Newest video is on top***

JayLenosGarage.com Looks at the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302, Laguna Seca Edition

Yesterday, Ford officially introduced the long awaited return of one of the ultimate Mustang models in the pony car’s history: the Boss 302. My uncle’s 1970 Boss 302 happened to be the very car that ignited my Mustang passion as a young kid. I’ve always hoped for a reincarnation of the Boss, and yesterday it became official. I am pumped!

The 2012 Boss 302 features the intake that is found on the Boss 302R race car

Building off of the very successful 2011 Mustang GT featuring the rebirth of the 5.0L (302 cubic inches) V8 engine packing 412 horsepower, Ford improved upon that with the end result being the limited edition 440 horsepower, 380 pound-feet of torque 2012 Boss 302 pictured above and below. There is even going to be an even more limited edition Laguna Seca Edition Boss 302, available in either black or silver with red stripes and accents.

It’s apparent that the styling cues were taken from the 1969 Boss 302, as Ford decided to feature the C-stripe style graphic over the 1970 hockey stick-style graphic. Available exterior colors are Competition Orange (my favorite!), Performance White, Kona Blue Metallic, Yellow Blaze Tri-Coat Metallic and Race Red. Each car will have either a black or white roof panel, coordinated to the color of the side C-stripe. The front of the Boss features a unique fascia and grille, highlighted by the blocked-off fog lamp openings and aggressive lower front splitter, designed to function at high speeds by efficiently managing the air under and around the car. It helps to reduce underbody drag and front end lift while more effectively forcing air through the Boss-specific cooling system. At the rear of the car, the spoiler was chosen to compliment the front aero treatment and minimize overall drag.

Ford also looked to the ’69 Boss for guidance on how to equip the car. The first year Boss lacked most of the creature comforts available at the time and instead focused on an all-business approach to dominating the muscle car wars. This time around was not much different as it appears you can not equip the 2012 Boss with navigation, Sync, ambient lighting, leather or heated seats, glass roof and more. Still, as compared with the ’69 Boss, the new one will be light years ahead in comfort and sophistication.

Here’s a summary of what the new Boss 302 DOES have:

Powertrain Boss 302R Intake
Forged Pistons
Forged Connecting Rods
Race-Spec Main and Rod Bearings
Sodium Filled Exhaust Valves
Hi-Lift Cams
7500 RPM Limit
CNC’d Heads
Oil Cooler
Larger Radiator
Revised Oil Pan Baffling
Race-Inspired Clutch
3.73 Axle Ratio
Limited Slip Diff with carbon fiber plates (Torsen Limited Slip Available)
Quad Exhaust

Suspension
Higher Rate Springs (lowered 11MM front – 1MM rear)
Adjustable Struts/Shocks
Tuned Electronic Steering with 3 Settings
Unique traction control system settings
Unique electronic stability control settings

Inspired by the '69 Boss, the 2012 Boss 302 features a very recognizable C-stripe

Body
Black or White Roof Panel and Coordinated C-Stripe
Unique Front Facia with Blocked off Fog Lamps and Splitter
Small Rear Spoiler

Recaro seats are standard on the Laguna Seca Boss, optional on the standard Boss

Interior
Alcantara Steering Wheel
Unique Shift Knob
Unique Cloth Seats (Recaros available)   
Dark Metallic Instrument Panel Finish
Unique Guages
Unique Door Sill
11 Pounds of Sound Deadening Removed

Brakes, Wheels and Tires
Brembo 14 inch vented discs front
Boss specific rear compounds pads rear
Vented Brake Shields
Unique ABS tuning
Reinforced Brake Lines
Lightweight 19X9 and 19X9.5 Wheels
Pirelli P-Zero Tires; 255/40/ZR19 Front 285/35/ZR19 Rear

The Laguna Seca Boss next to the standard Boss

Laguna Seca Package
Available in Black or Silver with Red Accents
Rear Seat Delete
Standard Recaro Seats
Rear Body Stiffening X-Brace
Softer Front and Firmer Rear Springs
Stiffer Damper Settings
Larger Rear Anti-Roll Bar
Unique 19×9 Front and 19×10 Rear wheels
Pirelli Corsa Tires; 255/40/ZR19 Front and 285/35/ZR19 Rear
Larger Front Splitter
Pedestal Rear Spoiler
Brake Ducts
Torsen Differential Standard
Auxiliary Gauge Package with Oil/Water Temp and Lap Timer
Unique Laguna Seca Faux Gas Cap

Pricing and production quantities have not been announced yet. Stay tuned for further info as it becomes available.

Twitter will provide yet another way to not only spread the news regarding T.P.C., but I will also try to provide news regarding other Mustang-related content.

ThePonyCar.com's '68 Mustang project car. It's not pretty, but that will change. The only limitation: money, of course!

It has arrived. It is rough. It is 40 years older than our 2008 Mustang GT/CS. It is the new project car of ThePonyCar.com!

What you are looking at is a ’68 Mustang that needs some love, some elbow grease, and ample funding. I purchased this car last week with the intention of fixing it up, little by little, and as budget-friendly as possible.

Since I started driving almost 16 years ago, I’ve always wanted to get an old Mustang to fix up with my dad. Now, we have the canvas on which we will paint a prettier picture than what is in the picture above. This car is in decent enough shape that it’s not a total basket case needing a complete restoration. However, the financial constraints I will have to work with will mean that this won’t be a award-winning show car either.

Here’s what I know I will be doing (as the money allows):

• Perform basic and essential mechanical fixes (brakes, shocks, tune up, etc)
• Replacing almost everything in the interior
• Replacing the ’67 front fender on the driver’s side with a proper ’68 fender
• Do as much of the body work as we can ourselves and then have the car painted
• Replace the gloss black Cragar SS wheels with a set of Magnum 500′s

What I don’t know at this time is what else may be lurking that it will also need to make it a respectable Mustang to drive to the local car cruises.

If anyone reading this has any services or resources you’d like to offer, or any Mustang parts companies, body shops, etc interested in (fully or partially) sponsoring the project, feel free to email me at john@theponycar.com. I’d be happy to work something out with you.

A few months ago, I decided it was finally time to do some real mods on our 2008 GT/CS. Up to this point, I had already installed most of the things I wanted to do to the car that I could install myself:

• Ford Racing Chrome 18″ Bullitt Wheels
• Ford Racing GTA Axle-Back Exhaust
• GT500 Strut Tower Brace
• JLT II CAI w/Tillmanspeed 92 Race Tune
• WebElectrics Sequential Taillights
• SHR Lower Grille Insert
• CPC Radiator Cover Extension Panels

Now it was time to address some of the things that required either the tools, experience, or both that I lacked. After receiving a private message from a forum member of TheMustangSource.com, I knew where to start looking for the help I was in need of.

I live in Euclid, Ohio, a neighboring city of the east side of Cleveland. The message I got was from a member who is also from Northeast Ohio, telling me about a group of guys with a shop located about an hour long drive west of me. He provided me with a link to their website, AfterHoursMustangs.net. After visiting their site and poking around for a few minutes, I soon realized this wasn’t your normal “garage”. This is a group of Mustang enthusiasts who have the mechanical ability, knowledge and equipment to perform a large variety of work on Ford’s Pony Car. I decided to go ahead and inquire about the cost of what I wanted to have installed by them: Ford Racing 1″ lowering springs, Ford Racing shocks and struts, Ford Racing rear sway bar, Steeda adjustable panhard bar and brace, and a set of Steeda underdrive pullies.

I checked out the page showing the services they offer, and there were quite a few, including both general maintenance and performance modifications. Their website provides an example of what they can do, but not necessarily limited to this list:

General Maintenance

• Oil, belt and spark plug changes
• Tire rotation
• Brakes and rotors
• Front and rear suspension (shocks, struts, springs, etc)
• Basic electrical
• Exhaust
• General engine repair

Performance Modifications

• Lowering springs
• Cold air intakes
• Cams (Ford Racing Hot Rad Cams)
• Superchargers and upgrades
• Ford Racing gears
• Line locks
• Rotors, brakes and brake lines
• Shifters
• Transmissions and driveshafts
• Engine upgrades and replacements

A day after submitting the inquiry on their “Contact Us” page, I got a reply from Clark, stating the cost of the work I wanted to have done. We began emailing back and forth and I started to learn more about their set up and realized that these were the kind of people I want working on my car. They were true enthusiasts who enjoy working on Mustangs, meeting new fellow Mustang owners, and continuing a relationship beyond the “business” I would be there for.

A couple Saturdays later, after I had all my parts ready for installation and some time open to go get it done, my girlfriend Daniela and I set out on a mini road trip to their place in Wellington, Ohio. When we were alerted by the GPS that we had arrived, we discovered that the AHM ”shop” was built on the property of Bill, one of the founders. His house sat only about 100 or so feet away from the large building that features a lift, countless tools and room enough to park about 6 cars inside the building. Oh, and a refrigerator stocked with plenty of ice-cold drinks (which came in handy on this VERY hot day).

Tom (left) and Bill (right) work on our car

Within a couple minutes of introducing each other and getting the car on the lift, Bill and Tom immediately starting going to town on the suspension while Daniela, Clark and myself sat watching and talking. Clark also showed us a car parked off to the side, hiding under a car cover. It was a project car they were working on: a silver 2004 Terminator Cobra. You can see the car here, including a video of a 140 MPH fly by!

On the lift: our car. Under the cover: The '04 Terminator project car

When you bring your car to AHM, you are more than welcome to participate in the work being done. Clark even encouraged me to do so, or to even just get in there to watch and ask whatever questions I may have had. I elected to walk over and occasionally watch and ask a few questions here and there, but chose not to pick up a tool and attempt to do any work myself. After all, I didn’t want to slow down their flow or anything.

While our GT/CS was being worked on, another customer arrived to drop off his S197 GT (never found out what year it was). It was a very sharp silver car with red stripes, a full body kit, custom 20″ wheels and more. It turns out he wasn’t only dropping off his car, but he also had a Saleen Super Shaker supercharger he was dropping off that the AHM guys were going to install for him. Like I said above, After Hours Mustangs can do a LOT of different things to your Mustang.

Another customer arrives as our car is being worked on. His modification: a Saleen Supershaker supercharger

About 3 hours or so after we first arrived, our car was ready to go, sporting a freshly lowered stance, a few more horsepower courtesy of the underdrive pulleys, and a more aggressive suspension that has made driving the car even more fun than it already was. Daniela and I were very pleased with the finished product and truly enjoyed hanging out and talking with the guys. I knew upon driving home I’d be back for any other modifications I wanted done that I didn’t want to attempt myself. As far as I’m concerned, they’ve become the official garage of ThePonyCar.com. Any future work I can’t do myself, I’ll be taking my car to them.

A couple weeks later, I returned to have an MGW short throw shifter installed. Clark and Tom handled that install since Bill was involved with rebuilding another customer’s rear end. Once again, everything went smoothly and I was on my way with my much improved (albeit more noisy) shifter when compared with the stock unit. I’m sure I will be seeing them again before the end of the nice weather season with something else for them to install for me.

I’d recommend that anyone with a Mustang needing work to be done to visit www.AfterHoursMustangs.net and at least submit an inquiry and give them an opportunity to win your business. Be sure to tell them you heard about them on ThePonyCar.com. You WILL NOT be disappointed.

ThePonyCar.com has acquired a “project” car. Don’t get overly excited yet though; this will be a low-budget affair since funding for the project is going to be very limited. In fact, it will be more like a makeover than it will be a project/restoration.  

Check back this weekend for some more details regarding the car and what will hopefully be in the works for it. Again, it won’t be anything real exciting, but if you’re looking to find an old Mustang for a good price and do some things here and there to make it a decent car, following this project will probably appeal to you.

It still isn’t known what, if anything, koach did with the displaced buttons, but he has posted a YouTube video (below) showing the device in action. As you would expect, many AFM members, myself included, are awaiting more info and a possible write-up on how he performed the install.

To read the original thread, click here, or check out the video below.