I ran across Matt Weivoda’s 1970 Boss 302 at a NC Stangs event in Greensboro, North Carolina, and couldn’t help but be drawn to the raw, track-inspired energy of the car. It wasn’t just another Mustang—it had a presence, a story, and unmistakable personality. As it turns out, the car’s story runs as deep as the Ford muscle car culture itself.
Matt hails from Carthage, NC, and has owned this G-code 1970 Boss 302 since July 2020. His journey with the car started in the most unexpected way: by buying a Boss 302 engine block and asking the seller if he had the rest of the car to go with it. He did. After seeing a grainy photo and following the man from a Target parking lot to his house, Matt saw the Boss in person—and a dream began to take shape.
What drew Matt to the Boss wasn’t just horsepower or rarity. It was legacy. His father owned a Calypso Coral 1970 Boss 302 when Matt was a kid, and some of his favorite childhood memories came from ripping around the streets of Oregon or hitting Portland International Raceway in the passenger seat of his dad’s car. That original car now lives in Australia, but Matt’s current Boss 302 is the next best thing—and then some.
Originally sold in St. George, Utah, Matt’s car spent many of its years in Arizona. The result? A relatively rust-free survivor, albeit with baked paint and sun-faded details. It wasn’t perfect—but it was the perfect base. Everything black on top was ghosted from the sun, the interior was tired, and the car needed work. But Matt had been down the vintage Mustang road before, having owned a ’69 SportsRoof. He wasn’t afraid of a challenge.
Ask Matt if the car is stock, and you’ll get an answer that depends on perspective. “A purist would say it’s heavily modified,” he jokes. It still has its original Boss 302 block, heads, intake, and 95% original sheet metal. But Matt’s built this car to be driven—hard—and that means thoughtful upgrades. A Street or Track coilover suspension, Wilwood brakes, TREMEC TKX 5-speed, hydraulic clutch, Hooker long tubes, Holley 750, MSD ignition, and much more elevate the driving experience without compromising the car’s core DNA. “Nothing I’ve done can’t be undone,” he says, proudly noting that even the drilled holes were kept minimal.
Inside, the transformation is even more personal. Originally a ginger interior car, Matt swapped everything to black deluxe trim with a fold-down rear seat. He even installed the headliner himself—his first ever—and regularly gets compliments on it. “People ask me who did my headliner,” he says with a smile. “It was me.”
While the car’s not a show queen, it’s been out to plenty of events, from Cars and Coffee in Pinehurst to drag days at Rockingham. Matt even took it to its first show just four days after his daughter was born. With only one seat and half a dash installed, the car wasn’t show-ready—but it still turned heads.
Memories like that have made the Boss more than a car; it’s a part of the family. Matt regularly straps his daughter’s car seat in the back, and his Weimaraner has been known to ride shotgun. “It’s a car. I drive it. I change diapers on it. I eat lunch on it,” he laughs. “It’s not precious—it’s personal.”
Despite the raw edges, Matt is meticulous in his builds. The attention to detail—matching interior panel tones, thoughtful wiring, and functional performance—shows a deep respect for the platform. “If budget wasn’t an issue,” he admits, “I’d go full Trans-Am spec: cage, dry sump, magnesium wheels, track trailer.” Until then, he’s considering a Holley Sniper EFI setup, Panhard bar, and possibly cutting the hood to mount the shaker.
If there’s one piece of advice Matt gives to anyone considering a Boss 302 or similar build, it’s this: “Start with the best sheet metal you can afford. Interior work will drain your wallet. And remember—your name is on the title. Build what makes you happy.”
Final Shoutouts:
Matt gives credit where it’s due: Richard Hester for the metal and paintwork, Greg and Brian at GM Auto for the engine rebuild and transmission install, and Street or Track for their amazing fitment and support. And of course, his wife, who bled brakes while 9 months pregnant and has been supportive through every late night in the garage.
As for recognition, the Boss hasn’t taken home any show trophies—but it turns heads, sparks conversation, and gets thumbs-up on the street. And really, that’s the kind of legacy a car like this deserves.
Follow Matt: @joany_loves_chachie
