The 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Prototype (chassis #100053) is one of the most fascinating "what-if" vehicles in American automotive history. While Ford officially canceled the Boss 302 program for the 1971 model year, this single factory pilot car managed to survive a series of drastic transformations.
The Identity Crisis: A Tale of Three VINs
Before ever reaching a consumer, chassis#100053 underwent three completely distinct mechanical configurations and matching vehicle identification updates:
Discovery and Resurrecting a Legend
After disappearing intoobscurity for nearly 25 years, the vehicle resurfaced on eBay in 2004 and wasacquired by enthusiast Andrew Hack.
Recognizing its immense historical value, legendary Mustang authority Bob Perkins took on the monumental task of a meticulous concours restoration. Over his career, Perkins had hoarded rare, New Old Stock (NOS) assembly-line parts—including a factory-crated1971-intent Boss 302 experimental engine and a highly specific 4.11:1Traction-Lok rear end. Thanks to these rare components, the car was successfully restored back to its original "day-one" factory specifications, preserving the only true 1971 Boss 302 in existence.
The above photographs were taken at the Mustang Club of America’s recent 50th Anniversary event recently held at the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton. Georgia.
For more information and videos click below for Jerry Heasley’s excellent interview with Bob Perkins on the background and history of the 1971 Boss 302.
