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In 1967 the first big-block Mustang was introduced, the S-code 390 which was rated at 320 hp. This Mustang was not able to compete with the hot new SS 396 Camaro , so in 1968 the 428 Cobra Jet engine was introduced, giving the Mustang true muscle car status, but then why stop there? In February 1968 when Bunkie Knudsen arrived in Dearborn he brought with him some strong ideas concerning the Mustang. He believed the popular pony car was a good looking automobile, but that there were a tremendous amount of people out there that wanted a good looking automobile that could perform. He also knew that the Z/28 Camaro, created with SCCA Trans-Am road racing in mind, could handle and stop as well as it could accelerate. Big block pony cars were faster, but left something to be desired going through the curves with all that weight up front.

Bunkie was able to lure several GM Design Engineers over to Ford in 1968. One of them was designer Larry Shinoda, the man who had drawn up the Z/28’s sport image in 1967. Shinoda was tasked with besting a performance legend that he had helped to create. Shinoda contributed the new cars stripes, spoilers and window slats, as well as its name. Two Boss Mustangs were born in 1969, both originally developed concurrently by Ford’s performance contractor, Kar Kraft Engineering, in Brighton, Michigan.

The Boss 429 was also built in response to Chrysler’s 426 Hemi and it’s success in Nascar. Ford built a 427 Hemi-headed single overhead cam motor first, but it wasn’t considered stock enough for the series so along came the “semi-Hemi” head 429. Kar Kraft was given the task of wedging a 429 into the Mustang. Quarter-mile times were reported to be in the lower 14s. Although another of the hot rod magazines, Car Craft, slightly modified the stock 429 and got a 1/4 mile in the mid 12s. The street cars came from the factory with a conservative cam and a somewhat small carburetor.

Starting with the 1969 model year the Ford brought the road racing Mustang program in house by creating the Boss 302 with styling by Larry Shinoda, suspension was design by Kar Kraft. Engineer Matt Donner was the man responsible for the excellent Boss 302 chassis, which quickly impressed the critics with the way it hugged the road. The engine was a Ford 5.0L block with the new 351 Cleveland heads. The car was originally to be called the Trans Am, until Ford found out GM had already licensed the name from the SCCA.

The Boss 302 was rated at 290 HP because insurance companies were beginning to penalize the muscle cars by tacking on higher charges to any car rated over 300 HP. Actual horsepower was closer to 350. (These are Gross HP figures, not Net, as used today). Race versions made 450 HP at over 8,000 RPMs.

Boss 302s also ran in Nascar’s Grand American (GA) series. The car came with a wide-ratio or close-ratio 4-speed top loader. A 3.50:1 rear gear was standard with 3.91 and 4.30 optional. Front discs are rear drum brakes and 15-inch wheels were standard. Road tests at the time put 1/4-mile performance in the upper 14-second range. However, Super Stock magazine tweaked a ‘70 Boss 302 and put slicks on to get a time in the mid-13s.

How did the Boss 302 compare to the Chevy Z28? Well it seems that is was very close indeed. Chevrolet’s Trans-Am Camaro took home the SCCA racing championship in 1969, while Ford’s Boss 302 put the Mustang back on top in 1970. As for street performance, both machines relied on specially built 290 horsepower 302 cubic inch small block V8’s. Performance was so close as to be a toss-up in most street or track encounters.

In late 1970 Ford stopped all factory-sponsored racing. So regrettably the fun had to end … for now.

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As I’ve traveled around to car shows over the years, it is obvious that everyone takes pride in their vehicle, weather it be a classic hot rod, a muscle car, un-restored vintage vehicle, or even a new car or motorcycle. Attention is taken by the owners to ensure that there is a blinding shine on the chrome and paint, and every component even the underside is perfect. So given the many hours and often years spent getting to this level of perfection, what are the owners trying to achieve? The answer is, to differentiate their vehicle from the others.

So the question for you is “Do You Want Your Vehicle To Stand Out From The Rest? “

I would be surprised if your answer was anything but, YES!

With all of that being said, how can someone make their vehicle stand out? The solution is to turn your vehicle into a piece of movable art.

Think about the car shows that you have been at, and I am sure there was at least one time where there was a row of cars 10-20 deep, all the same year, same make and model and often color and in near perfect condition. Without doing a full concours examination of every bolt, clamp, etc, what makes one car stand out from the others? THE PRESENTATION!

Do You Want To Add Points To Your “Peoples Choice Awards?” I bet the answer is YES!

What makes this happen? THE PRESENTATION!

How a vehicle is displayed and presented is the key to differentiate one from another, and attract more attention to yours. Your vehicle is an extension of your personality, and there are many steps that you take to personalize it. Something that is just off the shelve or out of a catalog is generic, and anyone can just buy that. You go to the experts for advice on how to enhance your vehicles look and performance, so you should also go to the artistic experts on how to display your vehicle.

Anthony Palmieri founded Palmieri Concepts, http://www.PalmieriConcepts.com after 20 years of creating custom art work for his own pleasure and enjoyment. This business grew out of a love for motor vehicles and was started to share with others what started out as a hobby. After taking how his own pride and joys (yes this really started with family pictures and not cars) and combining them with creativity, it became obvious that many others would like to showcase their trophies as he has done

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The history of cars is also the history of human advancement. Cars first gave man the freedom to go long distances on his own, leading to improvement in communication and transportation and, in turn, leading to the development of culture and society. It is for this reason, as well as the fact that old cars were different to look at than the cars that are available today. Antique cars are always a head turner anywhere in the world.

Antique car shows are hence quite popular with all strata of society. People go to antique car shows to see these wonderful machines and get a glimpse of how the past was. Antique car shows are held almost anywhere where people have antique cars to display. Such car shows become a thing of pride, not just for the people who own them, but also for the cities where these car shows are held.

Antique car shows in most cities of the U.S. have become an annual affair with a particular day in the year earmarked for the shows. Owners of antique vehicles maintain and decorate their vehicles for this special day. People mark this day on their calendars and come from far off places to witness the event and be a part of the show.

Such shows have become festivals of sorts, carnivals where the vehicles are paraded and where onlookers praise the cars and their owners.

Antique car shows have also become an integral part of international and national car shows. These cars are highlighted to showcase the history of cars and their advancement over the years. Often in such shows, people come with the specific intention of seeing the cars restored to their pristine glory.

Antique car shows in America are a tradition that has been passed from generation to generation. They are mostly conducted by enthusiastic members of various clubs in conjunction with car manufacturers and the local population.

Car Shows provides detailed information on Car Shows, Import Car Shows, Car Show Models, Classic Car Shows and more. Car Shows is affiliated with New Car Dealers.

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