Special Mustangs –  1994 BOSS 429 Mustang

In 1994, John Coletti found himself caught up with building a special car to tangle with the best GM could produce. Reportedly this rivalry began from a magazine editor who wanted to see who could build the best car.

The engine was a Roush built Alan Root 429 based engine, bored and stroked to a massive 604ci, bored to 4.625 inches and stroked to 4.500 inches, it was filled with a Ford Motorsport forged-steel crank, Carrillo rods and Wiseco forged pistons, developed 10.5:1 compression ratio. The heads started life as FRPP A441 hemi-head aluminum castings, but were CNC ported by Roush and fitted with 2.450″ Intake valves and 1.900″ Exhaust valves. A Comp Cams mechanical camshaft, spec’d out at 244 degrees of duration (at .050), .630 lift and 114-degree LSA, actuated the valve via a Jesel shaft rocker system.

The remainder of the car was built to handle the power with a C6 Automatic transmission, 2800 rpm stall converter, and a 31-spline 8.8″ Axle with 2.73:1 gears. While the engine bay accepted the BOSS engine with only a small dimple to a strut tower, the chassis was strengthened with Griggs suspension pieces, subframe connectors and control arms.

It has been said, that after appearing victorious in the magazine matchup, Mr Coletti used to drive this car to and from work on several occasions.

Spec Card

Original Price: unknown

Engine: 10.0L BOSS 429 (604ci) 16 Valve pushrod V8, Aluminum Block and Heads, 855 HP @ 6200 RPM & 794 TQ @ 5200 – 7200 RPM

Transmission: Ford C6, 3-speed Automatic

Weight: 3695 lbs

Performance 0-60 MPH: 1.9 seconds

Performance 1/4 Mile: 10.55 @ 135.05 MPH