Sideways 8000 RPMs in Original 1969 Boss 302 Mustang of Parnelli Jones

Casey Putsch is getting ready for the upcoming Velocity Invitational at Laguna Seca November 11-14th and got to drive this original 1969 Boss 302 Mustang race car on Thunderhill Raceway Park. This is the original car driven by Parnelli Jones in the Trans-Am series. Watch Casey learn about this car's wild personality and see what it is like to shift a vintage car at 8000 RPMs.
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[@brianspenst1374]

As someone who uses 100+ year old tools in my wood shop I am glad to see people using vintage race cars on the track. They are tools meant to be used, not polished and left to rot.

[@CaseyPutsch]

Here here

[@peterschancel7223]

One of my favorite Fords of all Time and still love Trans Am/ SRVA

[@MrHillbilly49]

Agreed brother, agreed.

[@RamblinAround]

Man that looked like a blast, thanks for taking us along for the ride!

[@donnatalielucasheimbigner7598]

I ABSOLUTELY love the old cars that the driver has to be in complete sync with, not just sit and guide it around the track but actually think of how it will behave in whatever scenario you are about to put it through. The feeling is like no other.

[@MrHillbilly49]

If that is the original car, it's worth noting that it was built by World War 2 hero Bud Moore. Parnelli drove for Bud, first in Mercury Cougars (67) and later the Mustangs in 1969 and 70. Parnelli was an incredible driver in ANY discipline. Though Bud Moore's regular job was being a NASCAR Cup car owner and builder, he campaigned in Trans Am because Ford needed his help and expertise. For people watching the video, it's also interesting that the car has the STOCK floor pan (as were the rules in Trans Am). Anything that was on the car had to be available at a Ford dealer (all the manufacturers had the same rules). To me it was one of the best racing series ever. For you "young-uns", don't try to compare the "Trans Am" of today to the original series. It's not even close. Great drive and video.

[@ooohhenrybmblm]

If the Mustang and Camaro GT4s raced together today, I think that’ll be the closest thing we get to an actual modern-day “Trans-Am”.

[@hanshoogendyk5783]

Watch the Australian super car series. Cameron versus mustang only

[@Jeffgordonfan24hesthegoat]

Yea the modern trans am is faster 😂 🤡

[@MrHillbilly49]

@@Jeffgordonfan24hesthegoat Yes, they are faster, because they are lighter, and they are on a completely fabricated race car chassis (not a stock floor pan like the old days) and they run on slicks. In 1969, race tires still had tread on them and no where near the grip of today's cars. However, to make those cars go fast, I would argue that it took a LOT MORE in the stones department than it does today Junior.

[@danielseelye6005]

Out of all the cars you've driven as part of this Velocity Invitational test day, I don't think you've reacted quite as "energetically" as you have with Parnelli Jones' Boss 302. Don't think they could've taken that smile off your face even with a grenade. ☺️ So cool 😎👍

[@CaseyPutsch]

Accurate! I was very excited.

[@ThePitt]

As a former owner of a '70 Boss 302 Back in 1977 to 79, I can attest to the adrenaline rush of shifting at those kind of RPMs. Mine had the drag pack with 4:30 gears. It was a screamer when it hit 5800 RPMs, it was as if something behind lurched the car forward with Incredible force! Loved that car

[@yesh3279]

Love your enthusiasm, KC. being of the “Older Gen “ I had the opportunity back then to own a number of muscle cars. As unsophisticated as they were, poor handling and all , they were a hoot to drive. The best thing about them, you could fix them with only a few basic tool and a young guy could actually afford them. It’s sad that the “I got way too money “ crowed is destroying these cars by turning them into speculation objects. Keep videos like this one coming , you’re doing an outstanding job !

[@CaseyPutsch]

I appreciate it. I don't get the views on some of these though.... Here I thought these were once in a lifetime epic videos.

[@yesh3279]

@@CaseyPutsch I’ve been following your channel and your fight for affordable fun cars especially for young people. As you showed with the series of videos on your 944 . Very well done and it makes so much sense. People are too hung up on useless, expensive gadgets which contributes to the problem of unaffordability .

[@Rokkator]

@@CaseyPutsch These cars are amazing, and these videos are great! It is sooo cool to watch you drive such historically significant and ridiculously amazing cars. Maybe the lower-than-average views are from the viewers that primarily watch your builds? Just a guess.

[@HankNinja]

Just got me a 70 Boss 302. I’m-a drive it. I figure if I break something I can fix it. Yay, analogue mosheens!

[@thelemonademan6235]

I always have said this same thing. It’s always these rich azzh0les that end up ruining everything! These mustangs were for everyday working people to have a little fun with on the weekends. Then these Rich jackoffs start their bullshit up again. N start pricing everyone out. youtube.com/@thelemonademan6235

[@irdmoose]

What an absolute unit of a car from the era when stock cars were actually based on freaking stock cars rather than being some spec-built chassis that's identical to every other chassis on the track once you scratch off the stickers.

[@SoloRenegade]

yes, I miss old school stock car racing

[@opulentexposure7851]

I love how when he went full race mode a snarl came out lol. The shifts got more aggressive lol

[@prsmantse1]

The amount of lifetime experiences you've been having lately is truly amazing man. You deserve every second of it. Thank you for sharing with all of us

[@kopski6531]

There is something special about the old hot Mustangs from the Can Am days

[@snowdogs01]

"Padded" dash with a sheet of aluminum blanking out the heater/radio section. That is so very period. Good on CP for going with a period correct helmet/goggle/glove combo!

[@2098elk]

Owned a 69 Boss 302 "back in the day". Great car. Many years later bought a 70 Boss 302. Many years of enjoyment.

[@russellbluewolf6427]

that they drove those cars the way they did, REALLY shows how big their cajones were..im a huge fan of the bud moore mustangs and penske camaros..Parnelli Jones and Dan Gurney were no slouches either..

[@JamesWilliams-dj2bp]

Don't forget George Folmer.

[@ThePitt]

As a former owner of a '70 Boss 302 Back in 1977 to 79, I can attest to the adrenaline rush of shifting at those kind of RPMs. Most of my peers in town scoffed until they rode with me and saw it with their own eyes! Mine had the drag pack with 430 gears. It was a screamer when it hit 5800 RPMs!

[@robbchastain3036]

O man, so very cool for you to get to drive that Bud Moore-prepared beauty and beast, Casey, awesome. And I got goosebumps hearing that engine because it was during the off-season between '69 and '70 that my Dad was hired by Mr. Moore to build engines for the '70 cars--it was my Dad and a gent who went by Ducky in the engine room. And my Dad joined the team after less than a year of full-time participation in auto racing--with over a decade of moonlighting on race cars, he left construction to work with the Federal Engineering Special for the '69 Indy and then built Camaro engines for Pete Hamilton at Gene White Firestone in Atlanta. And from there it was up to Spartanburg and then, after that epic season, my Dad was grateful to have experienced big-time racing at the top and opted to return to construction work in California, tho' he did work with the Pettys when they ran Riverside and Ontario until we moved overseas in late '74. And over the years my Dad kept in touch with his racing friends in the South and I always thought his year with the Bud Moore Team was the coolest and it was a privilege for me to be allowed by the Moore Family to photograph the team in the pits when they ran up North for a few seasons in the '90s. And I took a photo of Mr. Moore and his crew chief at Pocono in July '94 and he told me over the phone several months later that it was a quite a shot. And I will never forget that compliment, not from a D-Day veteran who returned home to build some of the surliest cars to ever hit the track.

[@Petrospect]

This the polar opposite of the Farah one take. And I love it. You give "driven in anger" a new definition and it's amazing. Hope you didn't scare the others with the pass you made. This thing sounds meaty and snarly.

[@CaseyPutsch]

:) I didn’t see Farahs. I’ll have to watxh

[@thecheese302]

i don't see what you are talking about. The difference i see is that Casey has a pile more track experience and Farrah was a little "scared" the enthusiasm was extremely similar to me.

[@Petrospect]

@@thecheese302 Didn't get the notification, basically museum piece vs race car. That's a pretty key difference even if the enthusiasm is pointed at different directions. But with that regard I think that's a complete opposite experience to what Farrah's was which was nursing it around the track, but definitely more relatable. Casey's is just exciting.

[@dennisyoung4631]

It has the F.O.R.D. scream, too.

[@Everydawn-xh7nl]

never seen Casey so hype before 😁😁

[@LegionGamingTV]

Im building one of these engines for my Foxbody Ford Thunderbird right now, I got an adrenalin rush just watching you drive this car, mixed with he sounds it makes!!! Thank you for the experience!!

[@piropitiflautico]

the 360 camera footage is amazing! has great aesthetic, kind of reminds me of the shots in the animated movie "redline" and you playing in the race track like that made my hairs stand up... we need more of this

[@RandomGuyDan]

I've been waiting for this one for a couple weeks now. My favorite generation of Mustang with one of the greatest (I would argue the greatest) pushrod V8's Ford ever made and a top 10 pushrod engine by anyone. What a sound to hear that rev out. Thanks for making this.

[@CaseyPutsch]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@CaseyPutsch]

This was a wildly fun car to drive and also very brutal. I loved it! What was your favorite part?

[@john-vy1ml]

Your Enthusiasm. you knew you were driving something special. Thanks for the ride along

[@ScottJ175]

That engine sound was my favorite part. The gnarly NA V8s are becoming more and more rare.

[@erikab233]

My favorite part was the fact you were able to drive such a historic race car on a track and actually be able to really drive it rather than just a parade lap type deal. Hearing that engine roar and your enthusiasm made it even better.

[@stevencote6999]

The sound of that motor winding up! Who wouldn't get excited driving that beast.

[@nitrous36]

I know its been said, but we really like and appreciate that you give such a candid view of this stuff.

[@jackflash6377]

Wow, that brings back good memories.

[@mr.e7261]

Ferrari's and Lamborghini's and expensive fast cars are cool but this is the kinda car that got me into cars this is where my true passion is

[@KD-nb3mp]

Well its not like this mustang is exactly cheap lol.🤣

[@mr.e7261]

Nowadays no people over inflate their value. But these aren’t looked at with the same degree of wealth as say a pagani or Ferrari f40.

[@KD-nb3mp]

@@mr.e7261 I dont know about that. After all its a matter of taste. Altough a Ferrari is a luxury car, theyre poorly built. Especially the old ones. Ive worked on a few of them. The old muscle and pony cars are expensive because theyre automotive icons and i do agree that even standard mustang coupes are ridiculously overpriced a lot of times but theyre adored all over the world. I personally think that the more rare big block cars should be priced pretty high since they are rare these days. 70' challengers or cudas for example.

[@mr.e7261]

@@KD-nb3mp it’s a simple fact people look at you and think you’re old school because you drive a muscle car people also look at you and because you’re driving a super car they assume you’re rich

[@KD-nb3mp]

@@mr.e7261 Nowadays you gotta be rich to own either one.

[@ConemantheBarbarian]

That was a fun watch. Pony cars have always been my favourites. The noise was awesome! This series of videos on the vintage ace cars was excellent. What a way to cap this off

[@Boonexctf]

Not even a mustang guy in general but this was my favorite video Casey! I've been watching you for several years now. Great to see a patriot.

[@lucasblanchard47]

That looked like an absolute BLAST to drive! Such great history associated with that racecar, and now YOU are a part of it! That’s just incredible. DANG I wish I could attend an event like that someday!

[@farewell_to_normalcy9352]

I have a exact replica model of this exact Boss and it is still among one of my favorites

[@DFisk75]

How is this video not the number #1 trending video on KZbin?

[@CaseyPutsch]

I genuinely don’t get KZbin

[@NYCBluesTRio]

I saw Parnelli Jones race that car when vintage racing was just racing. It's so cool you got to drive it.

[@GrandTouringConcepts]

Awesome! Simply awesome, thanks for the great ride along Casey!

[@JohnMalik]

Wow...thank you for taking us along for the ride.

[@billmcmeekin7909]

A day and ride to remember Casey :-) Loved watching you! I fell in love with these cars years ago. Couldn't afford to get a good 69 or 70, but found a 13 three years ago, and love it. Keep on smiling eh 🇨🇦 :-)

[@bradleymorris8875]

God Damn I love America as he flat slides it counter steering and accelerates the thing with no F#cX given. 🏁🇺🇸🏆

[@CaseyPutsch]

:)

[@SoloRenegade]

Watching your videos I learned that I really don't care about all the new high tech racing. I really miss the simpler good old school stuff like this. I miss how NASCAR used to be. I enjoy watching local racing more than professional series on TV, etc. I don't care if the race has a clear winner, if say 2nd and 3rd are battling it out intensely and put on a good race. I don't care if half the field gets lapped. I don't care for racing where everyone is in a big pack on the lead lap for 3hrs. I miss the strategies of pitting and such. Miss when drivers actually knew how to setup their own cars/engines. Miss when cars required driving skill. Nowadays modern cars use engineering and money to reduce the reliance on the skill of the driver. But to me, racing is about the driver, more than the car.

[@CaseyPutsch]

Yes sir!!

[@thelemonademan6235]

Great comment, I could not agree more ! youtube.com/@thelemonademan6235

[@billnu]

Great video! In my opinion you reacted appropriately to this beast of a car.

[@livinghorizons7068]

I had a 69 cougar back in the day, so of course Parnelli Jones came up. The guy was not afraid a real legend.

[@larrydirks285]

I wish I could give your video more than one thumbs up. Absolutely great. I felt like I was riding along.

[@iswinkels]

What a wonderful sound!

[@jamesboyd8481]

That orange 65 Shelby has an amazing racing history as well! The "Orange Blossom Special"

[@willbeasy2898]

Legendary racer here in Aus Alan Moffat was gifted a 69 trans am mustang by Ford! The car was one of six built by Kar Kraft and was extensively modified for racing, and won 101 race out of 151 starts!! These things were trans am weapons.

[@topdeadcenter9396]

Damn, what an experience man. Thank you so much for the opportunity to enjoy!

[@keithfilkins2043]

That was awesome man!!!! I don't mi d saying that I'm a little jealous!! What a honor to drive Parnelli Jones car!!! Just awesome, so cool,thanks for sharing your experience!

[@tachusischus]

This is such an awesome car. Big fan of the Boss 302, have a 70

[@thegreat1495]

Man the whole time you've got a grin plastered from ear to ear and honestly so did i watching this

[@spg3331]

freaking awesome video Casey!!!

[@hkguitar1984]

Fantastic, your Editing and using the camera "pan" function during cornering is masterful, the viewer really does get to experience the feeling of a ride-along. Thank You, Great Content and driving. I hope leaving the Mini in the dust didn't become too much of an issue.

[@fvike]

GODDAMN BEST VIDEO I EVER SEEN! Woohoo that one got me pumped! Awesome!

[@Pauleyjh]

Awesome... you're one lucky guy ! Thanks

[@Opticalcow300]

I’m a holden guy myself but that is an awesome car, respect 👌

[@johnguilbert1349]

What an awesome car!

[@SoloRenegade]

I miss the King Zero build (I get you got a lot going on, no biggy) and other how-to type content. But, your stick shift driving videos and such are also how I initially found your channel, and I love that stuff too. Just some good old racing/driving content is nice to change it up. You renewed my interest in racing (stopped watching NASCAR after all the constant and stupid rule changes), and got me interested in vintage racing, and now I'm learning more about Indy too.

[@CaseyPutsch]

Wooo hoo! Glad you’re enjoying it

[@twobrotherscycleanda]

Flogging a 50 year old piece of American racing history is now on my bucket list.

[@bradymacneil3637]

What a car and what a sound

[@denniswashburn9662]

SO AWESOME! I WOULD HAVE BEEN EXCITED AS WELL! THIS VIDEO AND THE GT350 VIDEOS ARE MY FAVORITE VIDEOS YOU'VE DONE! I HAVE SEEN THAT CAR AND THE OTHER TRANS AM CARS IN ACTION FOR SAAC 38 BACK IN 2013 AT FONTANA RACEWAY HERE IN SO CAL! WHAT AN EXPERIENCE TO SEE THEM. I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO DRIVE ONE. I JUST RECENTLY TRACKED MY 65 GT350 TRIBUTE AT THE STREETS OF WILLOW. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN. I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW YOU FELT!

[@johnsheetz6639]

Man you're working with the feedback on that steering wheel awesome!

[@basithph8958]

Sounds awesome

[@ArchaicLoL]

Awesome video Casey

[@trentonpaul598]

My old 66 with a boss 302 is out by Laguna now... good stuff CP

[@thejentzen]

Great content! I like seeing you drive fast

[@john-vy1ml]

That is so cool. What an opportunity. Barely even noticed the mclaren speedtail in the background.

[@jimmyjoejeeter2366]

Casey, Liked your videos since seeing the first video. I hope it is is the cards for me to have a Porsche someday. My Datsun B-210 was stolen almost 30 years ago, I only had liability insurance so it wasn't replace, and I haven't had a car since, with living in the city for over 30 years. Thanks for giving me a dream again.

[@triston5540]

That thing is dope!

[@thecheese302]

seeing a lot of these comments makes me a proud Boss 302 Owner.

[@donlemme898]

American automotive history, racing history specifically is as valuable to study and display/demonstrate as any other type of history. Enjoyed the hell out of this video. Thanks Casey

[@CaseyPutsch]

You got it man! Glad you enjoyed it

[@donlemme898]

Casey I highly recommend the book “Why We Drive” by Matthew B. Crawford.

[@davidkelley751]

God it sounds so good

[@larryheilman7597]

Awesome video, makes me smile your having so much fun. I can smell the fuel. I just got a 69 mach 390 built, 4 speed, disc in front drums in back. Drivers quality was a round track car still has cage. You might see it around BG. If you get itch let me know come spring. Findlay fun. Be safe at languna

[@OllamhDrab]

Heh, yay! You get to try all the cool stuff. I hope to kind of catch up on what your Indy opportunity's about, cause I haven't been able to follow so well amidst migraines and all that family museum stuff. But you've just hit like two of my most-favorite-Mustangs (in my case if in street form) in a row. :)

[@rusty870]

Farts Sparks ! ...does anybody remember reading an article that described these racing Boss 302s and that they "farted sparks." ...and that their exhaust valve was nearly the size of chevy's "fuelie" intake valves. ...i have '72 datsun, and currently i'm having a blast hunting and piecing together all the 4 cylinder L series OEM stuff ...1972 521 ❤️

[@geoffmcnew5863]

That car is stabled at McGee Motorsports @ Sears Point along with a couple 1970 Bud Moore Boss 302s including Peter Gregg's

[@ej2863]

So great

[@sfcrashley]

You were NOT an idiot. Drive hard and God Speed.

[@tommoon2700]

Bad ass Casey! 💪👍

[@mattman4023]

Great video love hearing those old Trans Am cars running in “semi” anger. 😉 Also I always found it interesting that they deleted the fake side scoops on the ‘69 Boss 302, understandably for aerodynamics, but they didn’t bother doing that with the ‘69 Boss Nines I guess the aerodynamic impact of those little scoops was negligible over a quarter mile. lol

[@jamiebowles4588]

Casey, the whole benefit of that free-breathing canted valve Cleveland head (that made a Windsor 5 liter a Boss), is that 7-8K edge. Trust the bottom end- Bud Moore built it.

[@jonmether8276]

As much fun as you were having driving that mustang maybe one of your next projects should be a vintage style trans am car. A 67 or 68 mustang coupe would be really cool.

[@fadedjate7230]

This is one of my go too rewatch videos for race cars. This and Thatdudeinblue's Cobra Terminator swapped fox body Mustang video.

[@HitokiriRaiden]

Looks like you need to build one since you was having so much fun in that one.

[@TheReaper42069]

What a car

[@timashley6013]

It don’t get no cooler than that!

[@CaseyPutsch]

For sure!

[@joey2shots260]

The vintage boss 302 remains to be the boss of the track.

[@BobbyRauch-ml5qz]

Wrong the penski Camaro spanked his butt

[@BobbyRauch-ml5qz]

Do your research

[@zenkichance]

Wooooohoooo!

[@anthonysiler4938]

Ok, this guy is fu%king awesome!!

[@CaseyPutsch]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@craigdry9522]

Hell yeah

[@SoloRenegade]

My dad always taught me, race what you brought. You may start the race with the wrong setup, but that's too bad. figure out how to adapt and make it work until you can pit or change it for the next segment. In the mean time, the race is on, so figure it out, change your driving line and method as necessary to make it work as best you can.

[@BobbyRauch-ml5qz]

Makes me prouder to be a chevy man

[@SilentMovements305]

No steering aid no abs no gimmicks jus driver n machine

[@scottfritz4988]

I don't think that has drums in the back. They had a full floating 9" with discs off the front of a 67 Mustang. Also no Hurst shifter in 69. They used a stock one.

[@EffequalsMA]

There is something about a stick axle, front engine Mustang at speed....there is a reason they took til 2015 to ditch the ass happy warrior.

[@Zzus321]

The only thing close to stock is the dashboard. Diver it like you stole it😎😎😎

[@Theupstateidiots]

What id do for a day of driving this beauty. Hopefully I get to track my 69 coupe after I finish rebuilding the bottom of it. 😂 Northern cars, I tell ya. Great driving Sir

[@pjccwest]

Yee haw!

[@colemcmeans7809]

hell yeah, Casey's letting his balls hang out! love watching this guy on track... in his habitat.

[@CaseyPutsch]

Thanks

[@ericbrandt829]

High water year of the full factory backed Trans Am era....Still allowed multiple carburetors and most HP.....I’m assuming that Boss has the dual Holley 4500 Dominator Trans Am intake used by factory cars in 69.....Huge 1050CFM sized carbs were actually an Individual Runner type of application making them like the more commonly seen Italian Weber carburetion seen on many road race cars in that era. If the “Mustang Massacre” hadn’t happened @ the St Joviet Canada race Ford would have probably captured Thd 69 T/A championship. Best year of the series was 69 in my opinion. I owned a Boss 302 Cougar Eliminator as my 1st car....then later a 69 RS Z/28 that I equipped with a T/A X-ram intake.

[@vel87x]

Fun fact Casey, my Dad and his buddies used to hang out in Parnelli Jones' shop when they were kids in Torrance, CA.

[@CaseyPutsch]

Very cool!

[@vtecjustin]

What camera mount &/or camera setup is the in car footage filmed with?

[@davidkelley751]

Like big American V8s sound cool, but there’s something so cool about hearing one rev out to 8k and staying in the high RPMs

[@guyphillips9682]

Holy smokes your day job has some new perks..

[@joedobbins870]

Built in Spartanburg S.C. At Bud Moore engineering!

[@Dottydawes]

I’ll stand corrected but the 69 Trans Am’s were built (7 I believe) by Kar Kraft. Bud Moore may have prepped them for Parnelli but I don’t think he ( Bud Moore) built them.

[@mike30534]

Amazing cars and engines! I've driven the street versions of them, the Ernie Elliott built versions and was with Bill Elliott in a '70 302 Boss Mustang the night he was learning to speed-shift. What I really want to know is where can I find black and white "Spatter Paint" these days?

[@transcend3507]

Look for zolatone... Different colors available. My '66 Shelby GT was prepped in R Spec trim with that interior finish..!