Are you well aware of Boss 302 history? I bet you don’t. This model
was to the Ford Mustang the same as Z/28 used to be for the Chevrolet
Camaro: besides comprising important upgrades, it was also used for
homologating the equipment for the SCCA’s Trans-Am series of racing
cars. To get more detailed information we have decided to have a tour to
a historical landmark where the history of Boss 302 began. By the way,
we traveled there by 2013 Mustang Boss 302, symbolizing return to the
roots.
The
engineering work for Boss 302 road and race forms was done at Kart
Kraft. Kar Kraft was basically an independent company, but they
significantly performed the function of Ford’s racing skunkworks and
were widely known for developing wild machines, such as, for example,
the J-Car, the Mark IV GT40 and the Mark II GT40. But the most important
fact is that significantly contributed to the appearance of the Boss
302.
Its early prototypes date back to August, 1968
(accordingly to “The complete Book of Mustang” by Mike Mueller).
However, Kar Kraft built first Boss 302 race cars almost a year later.
All of them at first were only stock Mustang fastbacks, without any
paint or sealer, but Kar Kraft later turned them into really powerful
race machines. Well, in fact, they didn’t have to travel far. While
searching for the information in Ford’s media archive, we have found 2
views of Boss 302 car (1969) parked in front of the engineer building
belonging to the Kar Kraft company. On Francisco Hernandez’s Facebook
there are period phtos showing a very clear front view of the building.
What is more, there was also mentioned its location – Haggerty Street.
As we have found, it is located approximately 3 miles away from
automaker’s Rouge complex, the world-known centre of Mustangs building.
It
has been almost 43 years since the day these photos were taken. Kar
Kraft ended its existence in the late 1970s, but the building is still
where it was before. The only difference is that now it is used by a
company producing shipping dunnage for auto parts. The most wonderful
here is that the building looks almost the same as in 1969! It is the
easement that changes, as well as the surrounding area: landscapes,
windows and surrounding buildings, but you can easily jump back in time
when looking at this building. It is especially difficult if you are
driving a modern 2013 Mustang Boss 302.
There
is also another interesting fact: Kar Kraft was also involved in
building the 1969 and 1970 Boss 429, but their location was different:
manufacturing took place 44 miles northwest in Brighton, Michigan. Most
of that complex can be seen today, but now this building is occupied by a
company which specializes in metal fencing. Early versions of the Boss
429 were built in the Dearborn facility.
To sum up, the Boss 302 built most of Mustang models on the conventional production line and is worth respect and admiration.
Comments
Post a Comment