I just got done watching a huge muscle car showdown on speed channel that pitted the Boss 429 against the Chevelle 454 SS and all the big and bad muscle cars of the day. When it was all over, the winner of the test was the Boss 429. The tests were 1/4 mile, burnouts, slalom and various other tests. I was just hoping some of you guys saw the same show. I was so delighted when the host metioned at the end of the show, "I know a lot of you LS6 chevy guys will be disapointed, but these were fair tests run with 100% stock cars and the Boss 429 just came out on top." It was such a sweet show, I hope some of you saw it too.

 

one host thought the mustang was a winner the other thought the chevelle was the winner .The numbers just came out better for the mustang. But it doesn't really matter both are really great cars and I wish I owned them all to be honest.

 

I saw that show also and I would of predicted that from the start. Not because the I'm a Ford fan but because the Chevelle is a true muscle car IMO and the mustang is a poney car, lighter and better handling. I think it would a been fairer to run a Boss 429 Torino in the test, but they are very rare.

 

Just curious, as I did not see the show, what sort of quarter times were they running, what bodies were the engines in? Was there a 426 Hemi in the test? What about the Dodge Super Stock from '64 with either the wedge or Hemi engines? Were either of those tested. I believe they were running in the high 11's low 12's from the factory. The Boss 429 is an incredible engine, but I don't think it was capable of those numbers, was it?

 

They had a 70' (I think ) Hemi Challenger there 4 gear pistol grip, but he said the clutch was slipping or weak on it, and just did'nt do the car justice ! Plus pete said on the slalom course the torsion bar front suspension on the challenger, is not the best, we have taped that show,,is a cool show, seen it several times. Gotta love it when Peter says,,,"All the guys that say,, Boss 429's dont run,,,,BS"

Later,,,,,,,,,Mark

 

Armada I don't believe the Super Stock Dodge would count in a real test as it really is in a different class. A purpose built factory race car that anyone could buy. But you are right I don't think anything could run with it. I don't remember the qtr times from the show but the 13's and 14's seems to be what I remember.

 

tmyers- The Boss 429 was used only in the Mustang, and I've heard, maybe a handful of Cougars, but that's a rumor. For some reason, Ford used the Mustang to homologate the Boss 429 for NASCAR Torinos, but never put them in the Torino from the factory. The 1970-1971 Torino used the 429 CJ and SCJ, which were great engines.

 

Good info. Those Super Stock Dodges and Plymoth Belvederes in '64 and '65 would be terrible on a road course.

Bruce Leal set a record in '64 with one of those cars at the NHRA Nationals of 11.74 with a completely stock car with 426 wedge. The Hemi version ran 11.2's. In those bodies it would probably take 600-650 hp to turn those times.

The quickest Ford I could find was the 427 Cobra (yeah, that was a fine car, but also limited production) which ran a verified 12.2, but it is much lighter. That Cobra would do just fine, by the standards of the day, on a road circuit, and proved it. I believe that was the SOHC engine that got outlawed at NASCAR the same time they banned the Hemi's.

 

You may be right about the Torino but the rumor persist. Who really knows. I really think that putting the Mustang in with the other cars was unfair. They could of put the BB Vette in the mix or as Armada said the Super Stock Dodge. To me a muscle car has always been a mid size car, seats four easy, in other words a small family car of the time but upgrade everything and add a BB. I'm not even sure I would include the Challenger or a Cuda in the shootout they did. A Road Runner would of been better IMO.

If they want to do a Pony Car shoot out great, Include the Boss, Challenger, Cuda, Camaro and even through in the Vette. Of course all the BB version. I think this would be a better way to do it.

 

Ditto, tmyers. Better to not compare apples to oranges. Within its respective group, there will always be a Ford which will do well, whether it is "the best" or not.

BTW, I had a friend back in college days in the late '60's early '70's who owned a real 289 Cobra. I got to drive it (only one time), but it was a thrill I still remember. You could be going down the road at 60 mph in high gear, push the petal to the floor and break the rear tires loose! But that might also be a clue as to how primitive suspensions and tires were in those days. You could drive it fast in the twisties, but had to watch that rear - it would love to break loose and come right around on you.

As far as muscle cars are concerned, the lightest bodies on true sedans were probably the "A" body Mopars. I ran a 1970 Showroom Stock Plymouth Duster 340 manual. It only weighed 3100 lbs. No air, no power anything, not even an AM radio - ordered it delete everything but the engine, tranny and diff gearing I wanted. We started out with times around 14.4's on the skinny factory tires, and with just a little tweaking and still staying in the rules (no headers, street tires, etc.) got that little thing down into the 13.2-13.3 range. It was very easy to tune for the strip. How's that compare to the cars in the test?

 

I hope someone remembers the times better than I do because I just don't remember. But one thing I will say all cars where in totally stock form and tune as they should be.

 

im perty shure that 429s came whith Rochester carbs on em from the factory. So you see Chevy still wins Rochester is a division of GM

 

I also remember seeing that show. But I also remember that the LS6 was an automatic while the boss was a stick funny how you just forgot to mention that. And before you say that wouldn't really make a difference I'll say this LS6 Chevelle's with a stick recorded 1/4 mile times in the low 13's compared to automatics which ran high 13's...

Oh and this is my first post ever...
I have an 04 GT and I love it..

 

The Boss 429 Mustangs had the 735 Holley carbs, and NOT the Quadrajet. That was used on the 429 CJ in the Torinos,Cyclones ,and '71 Mustangs & Cougars. The Boss 429 in '69 (with a very mild hydraulic cam ran 13.27/ 108 mph Stock w/slicks only) My friend had a '70 Boss 429 with the FACTORY mild solid lifter cam (same as 429 SCJ by the way), and with the ONLY mods of : 7" slicks, traction bars, carb/dist. tune, removal of ram air seal - the car ran 12.1-12.2 / 113 mph! Headers brought the car to mid 11's by the way, and it was driven almost daily back in the early '70's. That was with stock gears. These cars were WAY WAY undercammed and carbed from the factory, and anyone who knows these cars can realize the gain of at least 150 hp. with cam, headers, and carb- These heads need to breathe! Besides that, what looks the most awsome when you open the hood, a plebian BBC, Mopar wedge, or what? - The Boss 429 of course. My '70 Grabber Blue Boss 429 has 10,600 original miles, and people still are in awe once the hood is opened. And guess what, it runs also! So you can see why Peter said the Boss non-believers were full of sh....Thanks for the space

 

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