[Mercedez L.]

Just how hot and fast with top end speeds was this mustang?
How rare is it as I see very low production numbers and never any of them for sale?
How do they compare with the new Mustang GT?

[Gary Paul]

Only 1806 Boss 351 Mustangs were built - all in 1971.
Ford made two different 351 cubic inch smallblock V8 engines. The Windsor 351 shares basic design with the 5.0. The Cleveland has huge heads with oversized ports and canted valves (much like the Chevy 396 and 427 bigblocks) that provide great airflow. The Boss 351 used a Cleveland 351 with 4-bolt main bearing caps and forged crank and rods (forged internals, for short) and was rated at 330 hp. Performance was 5.8 seconds 0 to 60 and around 13.9 for the 1/4 mile in stock trim of 3560 pounds curb weight with a 3.91:1 posi rear axle. (It was not designed for top end speed.) The Boss 351 was arguably the best Ford smallblock V8 of the first musclecar era. Most people prefer the styling of the earlier Mustangs, since the 1971 models were bigger than the previous versions in order to accomodate the 429 engine without having to modify the shock towers to squeeze it in like they did for the '69 and '70 Boss 429 models.

It is actually similar in performance to the current S197 Mustang GT. Makes you appreciate the current Mustang muscle cars, although only the SVT Cobra models including the Shelby GT500 (and the '03 and '04 Mach 1s with manual transmission) come with forged internals from the factory.

[Gary Paul]

To my buddy Mark, the '71 Boss 351 Mustang is the car he once had that he wishes he still had. We all have at least one of those. (I wish I still had the '64 'vette coupe I sold in 1980 just before I got married.) Mark now has a Factory 5 Racing '66 Cobra roadster kit car (see the picture in my photo gallery) that has a stroked Boss 351 Cleveland V8 in it.


PS - I like the middle of the three pictures that you included in your post above. But I think it would look even better with black stripes instead of white.

[andrewmp6]

The 71 is the fastest boss drag racing and its tied for 2nd fastest stock mustang with the 71 mach1 drag package the fastest is still 03/04 cobra.A new gt mustang is not all that fast i have walked on one in a 01 f150.The 71-73 are the best handling early mustangs its heavier but the suspension was improved over the earlier years the Shelby drop you hear about ford did it to them from the factory.All 4 barrel cars came with rear staggered shocks.

[Mercedez L.]

Originally Posted by Gary Paul

Only 1806 Boss 351 Mustangs were built - all in 1971.
Ford made two different 351 cubic inch smallblock V8 engines. The Windsor 351 shares basic design with the 5.0. The Cleveland has huge heads with oversized ports and canted valves (much like the Chevy 396 and 427 bigblocks) that provide great airflow. The Boss 351 used a Cleveland 351 with 4-bolt main bearing caps and forged crank and rods (forged internals, for short) and was rated at 330 hp. Performance was 5.8 seconds 0 to 60 and around 13.9 for the 1/4 mile in stock trim of 3560 pounds curb weight with a 3.91:1 posi rear axle. (It was not designed for top end speed.) The Boss 351 was arguably the best Ford smallblock V8 of the first musclecar era. Most people prefer the styling of the earlier Mustangs, since the 1971 models were bigger than the previous versions in order to accomodate the 429 engine without having to modify the shock towers to squeeze it in like they did for the '69 and '70 Boss 429 models.

It is actually similar in performance to the current S197 Mustang GT. Makes you appreciate the current Mustang muscle cars, although only the SVT Cobra models including the Shelby GT500 (and the '03 and '04 Mach 1s with manual transmission) come with forged internals from the factory.

So a new Mustang GT or a GT-500 will dust a 71 Boss 351?

[andrewmp6]

They ran a mid 13 on crappy 70s tires it could pull a 12 with modern tires and a great driver.

[Mercedez L.]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

They ran a mid 13 on crappy 70s tires it could pull a 12 with modern tires and a great driver.

But on new Mustang GT's you get better gas mileage, better braking , handling and more comfort right?

[andrewmp6]

And uglier lol handling i doubt gas mileage yes but less power.

[Mercedez L.]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

And uglier lol handling i doubt gas mileage yes but less power.

1971 had gross horsepower and after 72 they went to net. But it is Torque that is what you want.

[andrewmp6]

It is the fastest boss mustang made drag racing wise.

[Hensen1954]

The main thing is.......the new Mustangs, Chryslers etc, are all now trying to look like 60's and 70's cars.

Its the only way to get sales up with modern cars............make them look like older cars. Thats because the 1971 Mustangs, etc all looked good.

Who cares how fast a piece of crap is.........drive your 1971 slowly, so EVERYONE can see how beautiful it is..........

I just bought a 1971 Mach 1, because it is just so beautiful. I can afford a new car, but apart from a Zonda, they all look like crap.

Sorry, I also like the Saleen S7.

[Mercedez L.]

Originally Posted by Hensen1954

The main thing is.......the new Mustangs, Chryslers etc, are all now trying to look like 60's and 70's cars.

Its the only way to get sales up with modern cars............make them look like older cars. Thats because the 1971 Mustangs, etc all looked good.

Who cares how fast a piece of crap is.........drive your 1971 slowly, so EVERYONE can see how beautiful it is..........

I just bought a 1971 Mach 1, because it is just so beautiful. I can afford a new car, but apart from a Zonda, they all look like crap.

Sorry, I also like the Saleen S7.

This car is too difficult to find for sale. Just like the early 1970 to 1973 Trans-Am's.

[andrewmp6]

Clone one then the boss and 71 mach1 drag package are pricey for a rusted out wreck.Thats what im gonna do find a 71-73 fastback body and clone either of those or go restomod.

[Mercedez L.]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Clone one then the boss and 71 mach1 drag package are pricey for a rusted out wreck.Thats what im gonna do find a 71-73 fastback body and clone either of those or go restomod.

Then if one is going to do that you might as well build one of those AC 427 Cobras

[andrewmp6]

The daytona coupe was faster they do make them in kit cars but only one has it with a irs and they only do turn key.