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(DEARBORN, MICHIGAN) StangsUnleashd.com - Gear heads can prepare to rejoice - the dormant muscle car slug fest is about to be rekindled by Detroit’s Big Three. This coming January, The Chrysler Group (C.G.) will introduce the Dodge Challenger concept - complete with a 6.1L Hemi engine. Not to be left out, Chevy will bring out their Camaro concept, and even possibly a supercharged Corvette.
Meanwhile, here in Dearborn, Ford will unveil the production version of the venomous 5.4L powered, 475 horsepower GT500.
Yep, it is going to be a a muscle car blood match this January. Who ever said that history is not cyclical?
Team Mustang likes history, especially that of their Mustang, of which they have successfully offered in various feature cars. According to Team Mustang members, former Team Mustang boss Art Hyde (now with Ford’s quality office) laid much of the thought process for upcoming feature Mustangs. Thus far, those feature cars have included the Bullitt, Mach1 and the Shelby GT500. Each of those models have generated positive publicity for Ford and further enhanced the Mustang’s heritage.
Since the introduction of the S197 Mustang (2005+) and its subsequent success, Ford Executives have taken notice of the Mustang - especially the money it is putting into the company coffers. Ford figures that they might sell close to 200,000 Mustangs (1998-2005 Ford sales figures) this year - adequate plant capacity might be the only constraint preventing them from meeting that mark. Due to the upcoming competition from the C.G. and GM though, it might be difficult for Ford to continue that sales pace without resorting to cash rebates or frequent redesigns to keep the Mustang fresh. The problem with frequent redesigns is that they consume considerable resources (time + money) and rebates drastically alter the balance sheet.
Team Mustang is keenly aware that they have to keep the Mustang on top of the game and they are doing just that with a slew of feature cars. First, BlueOvalNews reported the existence of the Shelby Mustang back in 2001 and TheMustangSource first reported the California Special earlier this year. So what’s next? Maybe the question should be - what could even be better for the Mustang? How about a Boss in S197 clothing?
Sources here in Dearborn familiar with the S197 Boss program told StangsUnleashed.com that a Boss Mustang feature program exists and a Boss is coming our way within the next few years. Ford manufactured both a Boss 302 and a 429 from 1969-1970. The last Boss Mustang, a 351, was last available in 1971.
While American muscle car nameplates have come and gone, the Boss Mustang has remained a constant facet among consumers and collectors. Take a stroll into any department store or hobby shop and count how many different Boss Mustang models line the shelves. Consumers like Cam Gillespie have not had the patience to wait for Ford to make a new Boss Mustang, so they are making their own - and Ford has taken notice.
The S197 Boss
Sources familiar with the S197 Boss (S197 Boss Message boards) program said that the original plan was to use the 5.0L DOHC engine, however, Ford dropped plans to use that engine in regular production vehicles, such as F-Series trucks. While Ford does manufacture a 5.0L DOHC engine, it is costly and regulated for after-market use through their Motorsport catalog.
It would be possible for Ford to use the 5.0L DOHC engine in an S197 Boss, but it is unlikely due to a wide array of issues. Some of those issues include emission certification, durability testing and warranty considerations. In order for Team Mustang and Ford to make the S197 Boss program feasible, it has to be cost effective.
The 4.6L DOHC engine has proven to be more than capable of serving the appetite for horsepower for years, but that was before the Challenger and Camaro were on Dearborn’s radar screen. Consider that the Challenger will use the 5.7L and 6.1L Hemi engines while the Camaro will make use of the Corvette’s engine and it quickly becomes apparent that the entry price to performance is now rooted in cubic inches. This was a key factor as to why Ford chose the 5.4L for the upcoming GT500. View the GT500 message boards.
Enter the Boss 329
Due to the increased competition and the GT500, the 4.6L DOHC engine may have been essentially regulated to GT status only. Maybe even more importantly, Ford and Ford dealers simply won’t be able to charge a nice premium for a feature car unless it is something, well, special.
Unless Ford creates something other than a 4.6L DOHC Boss tape and paint package. . .i.e. road Mustang, it simply will not be enough to command a premium in the market or compete with Dodge or Chevy. . . .on the other hand, a solid Boss 329 package will. Aside from that, the 5.4L engine has already gone through the engineering and certification processes, so it is basically on "off the shelf" piece.
As for the Boss Mustang name, according to Ford legal it is still the property of the Ford Motor Company.
What’s next?
1) Wipe the drewl from your chin.
2) Don’t hassle your dealer, at least not too much.
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