Only Ford’s blinkered management, whose mission at the time was small abominations like Pintos and Mavericks, was holding back prospects for domination in motorsport. The 1969-1970 Mustang Boss 429 was a single-purpose NASCAR weapon built in limited numbers for Ford by Kar Kraft, who modified standard Mustang shells to accommodate the gargantuan big block with new engine compartment sheet metal and requisite suspension modifications. Designed by Larry Shinoda and inspired by his “Boss" Bunkie Knudsen, both recently of GM, the Boss 429 took on the likes of Chrysler’s 426 Hemi V8s and big-block GM competitors. The 429 ci V8 was an elaborate design, and Ford likely lost money on every Boss 429, with 857 units made in 1969 and 499 in 1970. The last year was improved further, with solid lifters and a better exhaust.
From the article by Robert Ross, Bryan Hood, Erik Shilling
