Boss 351 Mustang
Written by Keith Fudge

“Everybody pay attention; the Boss will be here any second!” No, not the kind of boss that sees if you are late in returning from lunch—the REAL Boss: a Ford 351 Boss Mustang! Recently, Dennis Gage and the Max Life’s My Classic Car crew had the opportunity to head west to Laguna, California, to see a stunning example of Ford muscle, and a car that many people have forgotten about: a 1971 Boss 351 Mustang.

Ken Maisano is the owner of this special pony car, a model that Ford only produced for one year. Originally an Arizona car, Ken purchased the Mustang and began a restoration process that started by taking the car down to the bare metal and starting over. With the exterior painted in what Ken described as a modified Grabber Blue and with Argent paint trim adorning the rear spoiler and the fully functional Ram Air hood, it is easy to tell that this is one muscled up ‘stang that need not be messed with. Next, Ken popped the hood and we were definitely impressed. He told us that the original Boss 351 was equipped as a high-compression (11.5 to 1) solid lifter engine, complete with aluminum intake manifold and big port heads. It also came standard with at 3:91 Detroit Locker rear end straight from the factory! Even though Ken has made some adjustments to make the car more streetable, you can trust us that it hasn’t lost any of its gallop—in fact, it has more power even though he lowered the compression to 9.5 to 1! Originally rated at 330 horsepower, now this bad pony has been dyno tested at 430 horsepower using pump gas! It also bolts out of the corral and has been timed in the quarter mile at 12.60 seconds and at 110 miles per hour! Now that’s one serious quarter horse! One of approximately 1,800 produced, this car still sports the original Hurst shifter (all Boss 351 Mustangs were four-speeds), and when it shifts gears you had better have a tight hold on the reins! Just think, one could have purchased one of these beauties for a mere $4,124 back in 1971!

Finally, Dennis and Ken took to the road where this Pony felt the most comfortable. There was no doubt about the power that was under the hood, as well as the “head turning” power that this special Mustang held. Thanks for the ride Ken; it was one that we will not soon forget!