Barn Find Boss: 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351
More often than not, classic cars that emerge from barns will show signs of deterioration and require significant work to return to their former glory. However, the occasional gem will surface, which is the case with this 1971 Mustang Boss 351. It doesn’t wear its original paint color, but it does run and drive and is ready to be enjoyed by a lucky new owner. Located in Lockport, New York, you will find the Boss listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding currently sits at $29,100, but the reserve is yet to be met.
When the Mustang rolled off the production line, it wore Light Pewter Metallic paint. Documentation found with the vehicle when it emerged from the New York barn indicates that it received a color change to Black in 1985. The paint still holds a respectable shine, and the seller says that it would be fine for a driver-quality classic. It sounds like a repaint would be required to take the Boss to the next level, but that poses the big question; Should it receive another coat of Black, or should the original color be reapplied? The barn where this car spent so long must have been close to ideal because the Mustang has managed to remain rust-free. Not only is there no rust for the buyer to tackle, but there is no evidence of prior repairs or accident damage. Black paint is excellent for showing dings, dents, or other imperfections. In this case, they tell a story of panels that are virtually faultless. The trim and chrome shine well for a survivor, and the glass looks just as impressive.
It isn’t clear whether the Mustang is numbers-matching, but it does come equipped with an R-Code 351-4V Boss V8, a 4-speed manual transmission, a 3.91 Traction-Lok rear end, and power steering. This is a combination that delivered 330hp and allowed the Mustang to gallop down the ¼ mile in 14.1 seconds. It seems that the seller has not gone overboard changing components, but he has done what was required to return the vehicle to a roadworthy state. It now runs and drives nicely, and the owner is happy to forward videos of this to interested potential buyers.
It seems that the original owner wanted their mustang to provide the perfect blend of performance and comfort. That would explain why they ordered it with air conditioning, power windows, and an AM/FM radio/8-track player. These are all nice touches and would have made life on the road very pleasant. It looks like the 8-track has made way for a radio/cassette player and an under-dash graphic equalizer, but apart from that and some aftermarket gauges hanging below the dash, it looks unmolested. I think that the interior would benefit from a professional detail, but that seems to be all that it needs. I can’t see any reason why it couldn’t be used as it currently stands. I know that I wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation! The upholstery and trim are in excellent order. The carpet looks spotless, and the dash is free from any problems.
By 1971, the 1st Generation Mustang had grown in size. Some enthusiasts dismissed it as too big and soft, but the ’71 Boss 351 graphically demonstrated that there was performance there for the taking is a buyer ticked the right boxes on the Order Form. This one seems to combine a perfect blend of power and comfort and should be an enjoyable classic to own and drive. The buyer will probably have to make a choice about the paint color, but it is not a decision that would need to be made immediately. If you bought it, what would you do? More importantly, do you like this Boss 351 enough to consider submitting a bid?
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Comments
Thought they got too big by 1971, first year of tuning down as well. This one is exceptional ! Black on Black, 4 speed… Yes please !!!
The 351 Cleveland motor was a big block, often confused with 351 Windsor, a good motor in it’s own right. The CLE had huge breathing heads, intake/carb well matched and heavy main caps. 4 bolt on a boss, even lesser 2 bolts were very strong. Considerable difference between what your performance buck would get you comparing 1970 to ’71 and OMG 1972 !
’71 was pretty much the end.
Agree with your first, and second to last sentence. ‘70 was the end for me, at least until ‘79. Just a personal opinion however.
After 1971 compression ratios were lowered in preparation for the onset of unleaded gas in 1975. The term “smog motor” became commonly used but speed shops were doing a good business getting good horsepower from those motors by undoing the changes. Emissions inspections crimped that for a few years but there were ways around it especially for cars that only saw summer weekend duty. When the octane rating of pump gas was lowered ( the excuse was that you could get more gas from a barrel of crude but the truth is that pump octane is determined by the chemical additive package at the refinery) pre-ignition or “ping” and the damage it causes made driving these cars hazardous to them. So, they were parked.
The Cleveland V8s were larger than the 221-302 small blocks and the 351 Windsor, but they weren’t part of the big block 429 – 460 series.
Right. Not a big block. The 335 series had potential but came out at the wrong time! It survived in Australia and the DeTomaso Pantera for years, eventually as a 302. Seems the “big block” confusion is due to the 351M and 400. They used the big block bell housing bolt pattern instead of the small block pattern of the 351C.
The ports on even the 351C 2V were huge. The 4V ports were bigger than those on the square port 454 Chevy! Definitely potential for power. 330 hp had to be an underated amount.
Cleveland’s were not big blocks. Dimensions were very similar to Windsors, heads would bolt directly on including 302’s. It just needed some thin intake plates to match ports. Motor mounts were the same as well. Worked on many.
Well Al Bundy the 351 C was well known as FORDS BIG SMALL BLOCK
Many moons ago (about 30 years), when I started thinking about acquiring a muscle car, a black Boss 351 was on top of the list. I never did get close to getting one, and my preferences changed, but I still like them today.
LOTS of small isues on this one. A/C was NEVER available on ANY BOSS!! Mach1 trim on the back, wrong paint color, tons of incorrect and EXPENSIVE items in the engine bay to fix, no rev limiter, or even evidence one was there…this one needs a hands on! Be careful!!
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Boss Guy did his homework!!!
Most documents I’ve read had the 71 Boss running more like 13.6-13.8 at like 108.
something seems fishy to me. first off, I don’t recall any BOSS Mustang having A/C. Next, I don’t see a power brake BOOSTER along the firewall (power front disc brakes were standard on the BOSS) The rear “pop-open” gas cap was a Mach 1 feature, the BOSS had the standard spin-on/off cap. And lastly (for now) that center dash should be black, not wood inlay. The VIN 1F02R…. is correct, but this “flipper” leaves a lot of uncertainties for a “one-owner” 76K mile car…. buyer beware regardless, if the desired reserve isn’t insane, this is a sharp car, and would make a nice driver.
Not too familiar with these but pretty sure A/C was an option. That gas cap is easily swapped out. I see a big vacuum line to the area behind the brake master so maybe some sort of vacuum assist? They owner has a Marti as well an an independent Mustang appraisal so seems legit. Beast of a car with a great history closing out the Mustang pony car era. That said, it got a lot of knocks for visibility with that severely raked rear glass, tall dash and low seats. I’m not a fan of a driving position like that either. Cool for a collection I guess.
I second Joey, A/C was not an option on the Boss 351. That is not to say that some high placed individual could not put in a special order but a marti report would tell the truth on that one. Noone who knows anything about classic Fords would buy one without a marti report anyway, unless they knew it was not matching # car
Look more closely at the engine compartment photo and you will see the power brake booster.
When the Boss 351 came out, I worked in the building where the engines were built. There were no 351 Boss engines with A/C built.
You can see the power brake booster in the photo.
“The Mustang’s extensive options sheet was open to Boss 351 buyers. Power steering ($115), a full-length console ($60), Select-Aire air conditioning ($368), Tilt-Away steering wheels ($103), AM/8-track stereos ($129), new-for-1971 power windows ($127), tinted glass ($40) and an AM radio ($66) were popular choices”.
According to this Hemmings article;
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1971-ford-mustang-boss-351-2
According to Hemmings…
“The Mustang’s extensive options sheet was open to Boss 351 buyers. Power steering ($115), a full-length console ($60), Select-Aire air conditioning ($368), Tilt-Away steering wheels ($103), AM/8-track stereos ($129), new-for-1971 power windows ($127), tinted glass ($40) and an AM radio ($66) were popular choices”.
One liucky flipper. I suggest take profits and let it go .
Its s beautiful car needing paint
Absolutely! $29,000 sounds pretty fair to me in this topsy-turvy economy. I would have had that check cashed by now. Guess I would never be a good flipper. And that is fine by me.
Interesting “Boss 1” for sure. Between the paint change, addition of the power windows (no mention of them on the Marti Report), and the addition of the honeycomb taillight trim panel (Boss 351 cars had NO taillight panel trim), and the not-offered until ‘73 – pop off gas cap, someone went to a lot of trouble to upgrade to their personal tastes. Still a great looking car and nice to see here.
The original had a flat black hood for anti-glare. I know it’s new paint but why would someone do that. Also the Hurst handle was a custom black velvet finish made for this limited edition car. Wheels are incorrect. Owned one back in the day, judge told me to get rid of it. Awesome car, I agree with the mid 13s in the quarter.
@boss man. Yes, if they finished the paint job it should have a matte silver on almost the whole hood, with twist locks. There never was a “velvet finsh” on the shifter. Brushed aluminum T handle with H on the shift pattern, with chrome flat stock shifter arm
Steering wheel not appropriate in a Mach 1 or Boss stang, IMO.
Long reach for the equalizer.
Hope it isn`t located in Gasport NY!!
What’s in Gasport??
Absolutely nothing.
Where’s the exhaust tips in the rear fachia? Looks like the cutouts are there.
I always liked the 71/73 Mustangs just not quite as much as the 69/70s. It was also my understanding that a Cleveland was neither a big or small block according to the factory, and the Boss never came with A/C.
I love the 1971-73 Boss,Fastbacks and Mach1’s…..Beautiful cars.
My favorite model (if it’s real) of my favorite years (71-73) Mustang! There’s a nice Grabber Blue Boss 1 on Hemmings right now.
https://www.hemmings.com/auction/1971-ford-mustang-1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=auctions_newsletter&utm_campaign=2021-02-01
Right. Not a big block. The 335 series had potential but came out at the wrong time! It survived in Australia and the DeTomaso Pantera for years, eventually as a 302. Seems the “big block” confusion is due to the 351M and 400. They used the big block bell housing bolt pattern instead of the small block pattern of the 351C.
The ports on even the 351C 2V were huge. The 4V ports were bigger than those on the square port 454 Chevy! Definitely potential for power. 330 hp had to be an underated amount.
Had same but was RED. $30,000 to rich had to settle for other BUCKET LIST BLACK CORVETTE. Seen 30 states so far. Living the Retirement Dream. TOUR07
The “final” Boss Mustang came with high output 351 Cleveland and for years they weren’t looked on quite the same as the Boss 302 or very rare Boss 429. I dont know why really as these could really scoot, with the right gasoline. Nearly 11.5 to 1 compression in a year when many were already lowering compression ratios.
Not Ford.
Looks good in black, and in the eighties it would have made a fun driver with some race gas or octane boost…all the time. Collectors weren’t into these back then so different parts, customizing, whatever, it was a prime candidate for personalizing.
Car and Driver I believe managed 13.8 in a road test on one of these. I’ve seen the article somewhere and there is no mention of actual track time or what they did to reach that number. Couldn’t have been a buttoned up baseline run. Even the ram air set up is a hindrance….somebody ran one for either Super Ford or MM and FF magazine, stuck in the fifteens as he really didn’t try and break it, but one thing he did was remove the rubber grommet that sealed the air cleaner to the hood and….cut off nearly a second !!!?!.
Okay, I’m all done now, thanks.
I’m a “Chevy guy” but around 2008, I came across a 71 Boss 351 4 speed for sale. Numbers matching drivetrain and around 70k original miles, never wrecked. Third owner for some time and he had some paperwork since new. I don’t recall whether it had ac or not. It was medium blue with silver stripes. It was a really nice, unrestored car that had one recent base/ clear repaint (better finish than oem). IIRC it had mostly original interior with seat cover and carpet replaced. It was a very nice car that needed nothing. Asking price was $7,500 (!). I was not employed (everyone remember 2008?) and was selling a 1962 Mercury Comet S22 i had bought to flip. I was asking $3,000 for it. Mustang owner agreed to take it in trade plus cash but I couldn’t come up with the difference (and not have my wife lock me out of the house). I even tried the old “if I buy this one I will get rid of all the other old junk, make the money back and only have one” argument. Didn’t work.)
i was never a where they was a 351 boss i only thought there were 302 and 429 and the 351 cleveland was on the mach 1 ??