For many, the Boss 351 Mustang was the most complete Boss of all, with more power and torque than the high-revving but torque-challenged Boss 302 engines and far better handling than the Boss 429 beasts of legend. A heavier chassis (3,800 pounds curb weight, but a much better suspension system) burdened the Boss 351 as offered in '71. While the design was a move forward for some, it was a step back for others. However, few could argue that the functional hood, increased power and torque, four-speed manual transmission with 3.91:1 rear gearing, and subtle graphics made for an attractive package both for those driving the car and those viewing from curbside. Only 1,806 Boss 351s ever made it off the assembly line that fateful year, making it not only a hard-to-find musclecar, but one of significant value.
Heavier and more luxurious than its Boss 302 brethren that preceded its arrival, the Boss 351 was a plenty quick, high 13-second quarter-mile car. Not bad considering no factory hot rod of the era ever dipped into the mythical 12-second range without assistance from slicks to increase overall track grip. A much more street-compatible package, it was the challenge of working with the mandatory governmental requirement for unleaded fuel that caused its demise, yet another victim of the impending fuel crisis on the horizon. Still the Boss 351 Mustang is a highly desirable, one-year-wonder Ford with a great musclecar lineage, the last of a long line of high-performance muscle Mustangs.
Performance Facts
'71 Ford Mustang Boss 351
Motor Trend Jan. '71 Road Test Figures
0 - 60 mph: 6.8 seconds
Quarter-mile: 13.81 seconds, 104 mph
Total number built: 1,806
Weight: 3,805 pounds
Transmission: Four-speed manual
Rear gearing: 3.91:1
Roddin' On The River
If you're looking for a way to avoid gearhead withdrawal symptoms that sometimes set in during the fall when the car show season starts to wind down, head to Laughlin, Nevada. This September 23-26, the River Cruizers are holding their 13th annual Roddin' on the River event at the Riverside Resort and Casino. The event is open to street rods, musclecars, trucks, and other specialty vehicles, and will include night drags, an open header contest, a poker run and poker walk, and a model car contest along with music door prizes, daily cash drawings, and the usual goodies like dash plaques and other event souvenirs. This is the sort of event the whole family can enjoy. Wife and kids not into the car thing? There's plenty happening at the resort to keep them entertained while you satisfy your lust for bright paint and loud pipes. Registration begins at noon on Thursday and the action continues until the awards are handed out at 8 a.m. on Sunday, leaving plenty of time for the ride home. For special hotel rates call 800/227-3849 or 702/298-2535. For event info go to www.rivercruizers.com or call 928/505-8457.
In And Out List
In: Primer black Rat Rod paint jobs
Out: Color-shift paint
In: 18-inch wheels with ultra high-performance tires
Out: 22-inch "Dubs" with rubber-band tires
In: Musclecars
Out: Sport compacts
In: XM satellite radio
Out: '60s AM monaural radios
In: Flat-head V-8s
Out: Wimpy four-cylinder engines
In: Drag racing
Out: Drifting
The World's Most Expensive Camaro?
Musclecar enthusiast Al Maynard has been doing his "car thing" for a long time. The musclecar maven has had his share of high-performance cars, not to mention amazing machines like '68 L88 Corvette convertibles, cross-ram-topped '69 Camaros, and Hemi B-Body Mopars. But Al's latest machine may just be the rarest on the planet.