It was a battle of the muscle cars. Because Chevrolet was dominating the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) organized Trans-Am series of the late 1960s with its Camaro Z28, Ford needed a worthy countermove. Consequently, Ford President "Bunkie" Knudsen commissioned a potential "Camaro killer." Former GM designer Larry Shinoda (best known for his work on the Corvette and later also on the Mustang) rose to the task, giving the road-going version (produced to meet race car homologation requirements) a distinctively motorsport-inspired look. It featured a black hood, "C-stripes" along the sides—which were even reflective at night—and front and rear spoilers, making the "Boss 302" pony car one of the first production models to be equipped with such aerodynamic aids.

Since engine displacement in Trans Am was limited to 5.0 liters (305 cu-in), Ford devised an engine transplant. The new V8—later known as the "Cleveland"—had a displacement of 5.8 liters (353 cu-in), making it too large for Ford's new weapon. But that wasn't a problem: they simply took the small-block from the well-known "Windsor" engine and bolted on the "Cleveland" cylinder heads—resulting in the 302-cubic-inch engine. Just like Chevy with the Z/28, Ford was very conservative with its official horsepower ratings: the factory claimed 290 hp, yet in reality, the engine likely churned out a solid 360 hp at the crankshaft.

By 1970, Ford had unleashed a total of exactly 8,642 units of this powerhouse—dubbed the "Boss 302" both in reference to its engine displacement and Shinoda's client—onto the highways. In fact, whenever asked about the project internally, the designer—whom Knudsen had brought over from GM to Ford—would always refer to it simply as "the boss's car."

This particular vehicle is one of just 649 Mustang Fastbacks built in 1969 in Bright Yellow. Currently being offered in an online auction by Henderson Auctions, the car sits on 15-inch "Magnum 500" wheels shod with Firestone Wide Oval tires. A highlight of the interior, trimmed in black "Kiwi" vinyl, is the iconic Hurst shifter used to operate a close-ratio four-speed manual gearbox.

And how did the Boss 302 fare on the racetrack? In 1969, Ford's new contender lost the Trans-Am championship to the Z/28, but it successfully turned the tables in 1970. Anyone wanting to feel a bit like the champion of that year, the great Parnelli Jones, need only step into the cockpit of this magnificent American muscle car.

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