The Long Lost 1971 Boss 302 Mustang Prototype, Bob Perkins Boss Expert Saving History

[@srpdesigns]

I grew up next to an incredible retired mechanic who reminds me a lot of Bob.. Ol John knew his stuff and I used to love going next store and listen to him and all the Ol timers talk cars and parts etc.. This was in the mid to late 70s.. I even remember all those autolite catalogs on his workbench.. These men are truly a dieing breed in the great country.. Guys who devoted their lives to learning a certain craft by heart.. Those times are long gone, newer generations can't even remember phone numbers.

[@AlejandroP1980s]

What's today date I don't remember phone number nor date is it sep 28 1970 so I can by a New Dodge Challenger and be Dodge material

[@wildwind4456]

I am not sure there's anyone else in the world who has the knowledge, the dedication, AND the connections to do this car justice. It's amazing that it found its way into his hands, and all of us Mustang fans should count ourselves lucky that it did.

[@2098elk]

Owned a 69 Boss 302 which was almost new. Traded for a Toyota Celica GT in 1973. Still missed that car and shed a tear when I left it. Many years later bought a 70 BOSS 302 which I owned for over 20 years. Gone now but still a place in my heart for Boss Mustangs!

[@flat6fever680]

One of my favorite KZbin videos ever. This story is amazing.

[@guysumpthin2974]

Incredible production quality !! ( as par for jerry videos)

[@lumpymattress5649]

Just AWESOME!!

[@123tanners]

Awesome stuff!

[@OldManBadly]

Every so slightly obsessive... but for all of the right reasons. All of those guys talking about unicorn 1 of 1 cars because a certain car was the only one with power windows AND dual exhausts can hang their heads in shame against what is truly a 1 of 1 car - well, technically 1 of 2, but we know the other one was turned into a pancake in 71. This is a truly unique car, and I am glad that someone obsessive is working to make it back as right as it can be.

[@thewriter2549]

Well said!!

[@AlejandroP1980s]

Hey did they ever did a 1971 boss 429 or only 302 but scratch

[@hytekrednekbama4400]

I would drive that puppy till the wheels fell off. Then I would let Bob put new old stock wheels back on, and continue on my way!

[@whichkatami]

Both videos are mind blowing. Has he finished the restoration?

[@thewriter2549]

not yet, but getting there, at which time I plan to show the final

[@ScottsafriendofGod]

Obsessed is an understatement! Thank you... your obsession is helping people learn the RIGHT way as opposed to slap-dab - mickey mouse wack job. AGAIN... thank you for revealing what's right. How long will this process take to completion... any idea?

[@tvHTHtv_is_A_Crackhead]

This could be very expensive if it’s 1 of 2 and 1 of 1 in existence the 1970 Hemi Coronet RT convertible Mark Worman restored is 1 of 1 in existence and 1 of 2 built and it’s a 7 figure car granted it is a hemi convertible car which makes it ultra rare in the molar world to begin with

[@literallyshaking8019]

Damn, it’s almost like Bob has been stocking up and waiting for this one car his entire life. His knowledge and collection of parts is astonishing.

[@chrismc.4437]

In many ways he has been.

[@davebrittain9216]

I am so glad you did a follow up. Just a fantastic historical Mustang/Ford video! There is simply no other person on this earth that would do this car better than Bob Perkins. Please do more follow ups. Thanks!

[@MrDejast]

This has to be the best " one of one" I've ever seen. Especially since he sourced that engine.

[@MikeSmith-cn6ub]

I know it's amazing he found a brand new never touched motor for a car they only. Built one of I mean to find a motor made for a car that was technically never made they were both meat for each other literally just waited almost 50 years to b e joined in holy matrimony.

[@Stucifer]

What a great story and a beautiful car! I'm sad that it won't be driven. I'd be curious to know if the Boss 302 engine in the heavier 71 Mustang body would perform like a muscle car? The Boss 302 wasn't designed for drag racing so much, but rather for high rpm, endurance racing. The Boss 302 Cougar Eliminator was a beautiful car, but 1/4 mile times in the mid 15's wasn't impressive. LOL... I want to find the rare Boss 302 Maverick

[@SteveGrin]

So did the assembly line worker take that '71 boss 302 engine home in his lunch box?

[@balajiiyengar4]

Lol. 🤣

[@olivergarrod6487]

And it didn’t cost him a dime!

[@John-4649]

@@olivergarrod6487 one piece at a time!

[@TnTravelers33]

I’m a Chevy fan have been all my life but I love these vids Bob knows his stuff and your videoing is great

[@yorgalas]

This guy is def one dedicated dude. So many n.o.s parts ❤❤❤❤❤

[@axelbart7470]

Wow that's incredible, one for the history books for generations to come

[@carsmartsmedia2324]

I watched this with my jaw on the ground. all that NOS. Incredible.

[@spankthemonkey3437]

Nos like nitrous

[@johnshilling2221]

Yes, this is an incredible find. No doubt about it. But! Bob Perkins is the real treasure. What would the world be like without people like Bob? I couldn't imagine it. Some dystopian hellhole, I guess.

[@sammolloy1]

This is very interesting. I’m so glad he’s the one that got this car

[@wpcampbell491]

It's unbelievable that you managed to do this after nearly 5 decades! You're amazing! Can't wait to see this car completely restored!

[@williammatthews2948]

This gentleman restoring it back to it's original identity makes me a happy man.

[@mexicanspec]

It is too bad he can't re-VIN the car like Ford did.

[@neganess4315]

Like all that was missing was the car it self, agree seeing good things happen to ppl for some reason it brings out all the volume of beautiful thanks again let's NVR lose that.)

[@guadalahonky4002]

Bob's a serious Mustang collector. Amazing Ford Performance stories, thank you.

[@MrJett1971]

No, Bob’s THE serious Mustang collector. And historian. And restorer. Everyone else just tries to keep up...

[@Agislife1960]

I admire the hell out of what this guy does, muscle cars were synonymous with the American culture and its hard to describe the feelings of a young guy in 1970 who had a nice muscle car.

[@cougarfarmer]

I am a Ford fan and a Mustang fan ever since I rode in a 1967 390 GTA at the age of six. I am put to a mighty low shame by Bob Perkins! He makes me looks like a know nothing newbie. I have always wondered about the 1971 BOSS 302 and why there was not a 1971 BOSS 429 because the 1971 was designed for the very reason of placing a large engine in it's engine bay. Another 1971 mystery is the 1971 Mercury Cougar Eliminator. I had a 1972 Cougar with a 351C in it and at the time I also owned a complete 1970-71 Torino Shaker air cleaner assembly. One day after tuning up the Cougar I had the hood open and a friend came over to BBQ and we had a few beers. We got to talking about what kind of air cleaner I would need to complete a ram air system to the Cougar GT hood scoop on the car. I pulled out the Shaker and I was holding the trim ring while talking about the lower air cleaner when I noticed that the under hood structure had a shape very similar to the trim ring. It matched the trim ring. The next thing I know is that I am shutting hood with a Torino shaker sticking out. Everything lined up and fit. I looked at my friend and said "This not a coincidence. It was designed for this hood scoop!" Why did Mercury decide not to use this? They went through the trouble to make sure it worked. Where are the concept photos of it?

[@Lethal_Venom]

My first Mustang was a 66 Coupe when I was 17. I'm 42 now and have had 5 Mustangs to date. I'm mostly into the more modern cars from the 1990's to early 2000 range but I love the history and restoration of the older cars that started it all.

[@brianwaskow5910]

I'm glad I have a stock 67 mustang coupe that I can drive instead of a trailer queen.

[@brianwaskow5910]

@Virtual Pilgrim what that means is I can enjoy driving it not trailing to events in an enclosed trailer and not having a nervous breakdown anytime anything minutialy happens to the car.

[@arnoldcorns8879]

@@brianwaskow5910 i guess you approaching it a bit wrong. This is Like an archaeological find: you'll like to preserve it for the afterworld. You not gonna feed your dog with dinosaur bones...

[@philspurling6414]

He has the best of both worlds tens times over!

[@shauno3697]

My first inclination was to say something about being jealous. But seeing that much knowlege, wisdom, talent, and attention to detail, I would never want to see anybody else touch that car. I hope that Bob is having the time of his life with it.

[@refiii9499]

Man I thought my ocd was bad. This guy takes it to the way next level

[@philspurling6414]

It runs in the family! 👍

[@mattskustomkreations]

That one of one unicorn still existing is mindblowing enough.... But-A guy having that engine in his basement!?! That is beyond belief!!! Wow. EDIT the other NOS parts have just melted my brain.

[@jaywp1977]

I’m a Mopar guy, but I love watching these videos featuring Bob and learning so much about how Ford built these cars back in the day. Thank you!

[@ProjectFairmont]

It’s like he has collected for a lifetime for this moment and car. Fantastic.

[@thewriter2549]

My thoughts the same.

[@jinavl]

@@thewriter2549 it's a match made on Earth

[@theodoremccoy3238]

This is as good as finding a long lost child that grew up having had their new parents trying to change their identity now due to the Ford fingerprints we get to see this girl pretty as the day she was born thanks for sharing her story

[@badassf1506]

It would be real sweet if you could get the boss 351 that came out of the car have all three motors with that car that be the cherry on the cake

[@MikeBMW]

WOW! Well done, Jerry, I look forward to additional vids on this! :)

[@morgansword]

Wow, a man after my own heart that truly loved a ford and from what I watched was a man who could exploit the parts correctly. Although I didn't have a fancy mustang, I did buy one from a dealer who was willing to give a nam soldier what he wanted was a four barrel anything motor with four speed and so into their shop went a kinda overkill six cylinder three speed car with one wheel peel and so they put a 302 engine with some aftermarket manifold to make the carb work plus whatever it needed for the throttle cable that I wound up tying a wire to hold it tight and work right on the side of the road. At the time I knew none of the above history and was only interested in power and speed. I used a narrowed lincoln rear end done in a shop in seattle where my money was fast disappearing. I did have fun in it and it caught some road rash I thought added to its personality. I caught a girls dads fence post digging out when he shot at me and the car caught some of the lead which popped the back window and had plastic in for a little while and then plexiglass. I couldn't see through it good but then others couldn't see in. The back of the seat on the passenger seat was much bragging rights with some holes in it. So there had to be lead in the upholstery. The rear end was 41? as I never really knew for sure if it was what was written on it. It had the disk brake from lincoln and all that on it but the center section was worked on and did the posi burn. This car had over thirty thousand miles from me but started giving me problems with the linkage on the trans getting tangled up when speed shifted bad. Hammers to get the thing to roll again as it slide to a stop a couple three or more times and then is when I stumbled onto a dodge polara with a 426 wedge and four speed factory. I got fifteen hundred on the trade in and that was more than most were selling for used banged up, an cause I drove it in my work clothes and did the upkeep in the car washes it had problems so was glad to get off it for a factory car that to me at the time looked more like a race car from the hot rod mag. I did get the dodge in 74 spring an was put together at the factory and by then getting on wages only plus a divorce so I had worked two summers in alaska. I drove that dodge till I pulled to the side with a flat on the right front? Your asking how I remember and it was easy, that tire was tore up and flopping and when it caught the soft fill on the side of the road, it took that phony torsion bar suspension and ripped the unibody and all up leaving me right there. I did start it and powered it onto the road where it definitely wasn't going anywhere. A guy I knew come and got me and it being a wrecked car thought I was screwed. I did know how to work on cars like a kid at the time and it was above my paygrade back yard diploma. He was headed to work and told me I could use his rig, don't wreck it an I took it with grin. He worked at a chevy shop and so me and chevy had had our differences. I went over to the local ford shop and used car sales. I was looking at their magazines and their salesman asked me if I was looking for something so I unloaded my lifes story on him and he said let me talk to my boss. They come down in their salvation army suits that just looked sad to me and I was going to leave. One said wait I have what you really do need..... ok.... and we go look at a 72 three quarter ton ford with a four wheel drive and as close to kinda dressy looking as the could cobble together look. They took title of my dodge parked where it was as someone there had seen it an no one did mess with stuff during the day. He said that I could bring the rest of the down payment in in two months but no longer. I thought that was easy enough ... thinking will get you every time as I found out. So some money left and a second hand nice little rig I hooked up with a bad crowd. I had to go to court in the afternoon and I was on a airplane north to Ketchikan where work and drinking had been my new signature. I did outgrow that but should of never put myself in that position an then a phone call to Olympia let me and them know I would come back and face my consequences. That was one nice judge who fined me a hundred dollar more out of token but he talked to me in chambers and really did get my attention. It was 1976 and I didn't want a warrant out. I wintered out and spring took me back to alaska where I have lived a colorful life.

[@crf150rRider6]

Wow, this is so cool! They don’t make them like Bob any more, the dedication and knowledge he has is amazing! Not to mention his collection, sweet!

[@ReviewedYourVideo]

Simply amazing! I am truly glad it went to the correct man.

[@alfonsuskarl]

Mr Bob Perkins, the God of Mustang restoration

[@4n461]

Incredible car. Incredible story. Incredible restoration.

[@dougcoleburn1579]

Ok that Boss engine is incredible 🤩

[@cmintsurfer]

Some cars, like this one, just needed the right man to find them. That engine sat so long waiting for this car.

[@thewriter2549]

the reason he sold it to Bob

[@TORCHBROTHERS]

I had a 1973 mustang coop , not the fastback. I bought it in 1987 for $100 it had the 351 Cleveland with a 2 barrel. I spent two years fixing it up not the right way I used a lot of Bondo. But I did have the engine professionally rebuilt. That car was so fast it was unbelievable ! nobody would believe that it had a 2 barrel on it until I showed them the carburetor. Unfortunately I ended up getting married and had to sell it. Should have stayed single.

[@jdigitalseven7]

Yea its amazing that even the early coyote 302 engines are smaller, way more powerful, and more fuel efficient than those old school muscle engines.

[@thejackalsmith7329]

Great find on the engine, glad to see a concourse restoration done to this one of a kind mustang.

[@rbrboulet]

I can’t describe with words how sad I was then the video ended. I could explore his property for days and gather all the information this gentleman would have time to share with me. Wow! Great story!

[@flat6fever680]

It did end abruptly 😔

[@stevefairweather7792]

Glad to see other people like the 1971-73 sportroof cars. I’ve had 2 1973’s. They are my favorite body style

[@nevosrestos394]

Mine too lol

[@rdh5961]

This is one of the coolest videos I've ever seen. Very well done and I thank you

[@jrr...9356]

Wow, this guys knowledge of this one of one prototype is just amazing. It certainly is a "Holy Grail" of all Boss 302's.

[@YenkoImpala]

Absolutely one of the best barn finds ever and I have seen and experienced a few myself. Bob is the right man to own and restore this car. I cannot wait to see it.

[@alexkalish8288]

The lord works in mysterious ways - He must like these cars as the serendipity involved in this project is beyond belief. A new engine in a factory workers basement ?!! - fantastic story and one has to be impressed by Bob Perkins, he's an encyclopedia and a great gentlemen. Bravo Bob for saving this for history.

[@DetVen]

I'm glad tthis Bob Perkins guy got this car and not Jay Leno or Tim Allen or some other celebrity car enthusiast or some billionaire.

[@thewriter2549]

Same here, good observation.

[@captsaison9343]

"Well, we know what Bob's passion is! One of the NICE things about all the interest in the vintage mustangs is that there are several sources for new and replacement parts. I can get about anything I might need for my old 1965 mustang from several different companies. Also love the 1969 AMC AMX but have been afraid to buy one because getting new and replacement parts might be very difficult. Hell, I wouldn't even insist on the 390 cubic-inch engine and four-speed tranny. ANY 1969 AMX would suit me.

[@chrisackerley1842]

This is very interesting. He talks about "lunchbox parts" that dissapeared from the Ford factory. What about that Boss 302 motor they got from a retired asembly line employee? How in the world did that guy get that motor off the grounds of the Ford factory? I would think Ford security would have been all over him! Swiping an oil filter is one thing. A Boss 302 motor is something else entirely!

[@guysumpthin2974]

Bobs favorite body style , that car is in the right hands

[@rickhenke2452]

One of one, this thing is priceless

[@r3d_ti3_guy]

Hubert Platt’s car is amazing.

[@banditto1969]

my personal take on this, having worked there... this car was most likely sold at the B Lot, which sold test vehicles to employees. that's how rarities get sold to the public

[@thewriter2549]

I've written magazine articles on Fords sold at the B-Lot. Did you ever take a picture back then of that B-Lot? I'd sure like to have a picture or two of this lot for when I do stories or a video and a car came from there,. That had to be a fascinating thing to see!!

[@bam_henry]

Funny how this particular '71 identified as a B302, B351, and a Mach 1 all before it was sold.

[@02autogt]

Unbelievable the wealth of knowledge Bob has!! Hope he has someone following in his footsteps!

[@stuartb9323]

I was thinking the same thing! That would be awesome if he had a kid that was into it too.

[@bentnickel7487]

Jerry, does Bob consider this 71 Boss his crowning achievement after all these years or is there another he's more proud of?

[@williamsealy8781]

Id have left it original and only did the motor swap and kept the 351 on a stand(not detailed) and make a really nice book with all the documentation and info and maybe put some effort into finding people that worked on the line where it was built to possibly get a testimony. That would be worth as much as this high dollar rotisserie restoration. The car being rust free didn't need all that. Its more impressive to see the great original condition

[@thewriter2549]

The question is what is original, the Boss 302-powered Mustang that Ford engineered and Dearborn Assembly Plant put together, or the quick engine swap in California for the sale. Remember, the 4.11 Detroit-Locker and other mechanicals for the Boss 302 power remained, just the engine changed. I don't see the two barrel engine as what this car was built by Ford to be.

[@johnclark3431]

Wow I’m truly amazed at how detail oriented this guy is… such an amazing job

[@1972mercurycougar]

Absolutely love this story!! Good stuff!!

[@johnbeltron8787]

Driving the Boss302 was the best part of the car when it was new,absolutely race ready .Memories.

[@Bill.Connor]

This is just AWESOME!!!! Love the history of this car and it's great to know there are people like Bob out there! Please keep up the great work!

[@Mike583]

Talk about a one of one...JACKPOT!

[@MRAMX390]

Definitely the "unicorn" of Mustangs, very impressive.

[@glennhall8795]

Bob you are like a mustang dictionary of knowledge

[@guysumpthin2974]

Bob is truly one of the GOOD GUYS in the business

[@tredw66]

Car went to the right guy. You know Bob doesnt have wholesale prices on his parts but he is the go to guy for when you need them. Amen.

[@geoffreydemaesschalck6065]

Awesome, Bob is the right person for this ! I had the chance to meet him at his place in the Summer of 2016. What a museum !

[@mattpoppen2521]

I appreciate this so much! Gotta love the passion!

[@guysumpthin2974]

I would like to nominate Jerry for best documentary of the year

[@thewriter2549]

Thanks for the recognition.

[@thewriter2549]

@@moosejawventure The '71 Dodge I did not know what it was when we went in there, which is what happens out there hunting cars, so there were surprises.

[@thomasryan8218]

What a story.

[@douglasames6495]

All that and it's still a 1971 Mustang... Impressive parts though.

[@josephjohnston8255]

Awsome video. Bob the Builder knows his stuff.

[@neganess4315]

Something about their passion and knowledge was what automatically got us hook to this channel we believe their nothing better than loving what you enjoy doing.)

[@lucky-rowe2623]

I am not a Mustang guy.. but damn I love these videos!

[@61Slughi]

Holy cow! Mustang nerd talk taken to the extreme.

[@shauno3697]

Forgive me for being rude, but you spelled aficionado wrong.

[@rgs4x]

I used to work for Ford dealership in the early 80s. I remember them dumping tons of NOS and obsolete parts. I was able to purchase some rare parts for mustangs for pennies on the dollar. I have since sold all of them. This guys collection is incredible.

[@TrueNorth1970]

Amazing story. Thank you !

[@danmyers9372]

The low torque 302 in the bloated and unattractive 1971 ‘Stang? Meh. What Ford SHOULD have built was a 1970 Boss 351. The best performance small block engine in a better looking, better handling and lighter car. Now THAT would have been something.

[@thewriter2549]

Dan - a Trans Am engine was engineered for high rpm's, and thus the big intake valves to sacrifice low rpm torque for top end horsepower. This 302 was a winner on the race track. These were the days when the manufacturer had to homologate parts for the track by producing them for customers in sufficient quantities, and thus a Boss 302 appeared looking like the race car it homolgated. New SCCA rules allowed the 351 to be de-stroked to fit under the 5.0 liter (302) displacement limit in Trans Am, so the 351 will never be the glorious racing engine the 302 was. 0-60 MPH was not nearly so important in Trans Am as top end speed, but 0-60 was still fine with those 4.11's - which hardly a street car got. The '71 was to be another step up on the race track with its wider track, which an extra 3" in the engine bay allowed the 429 Cobra Jet to fit. Ford backed out of racing, but there were private entries in '71. The longer, lower, wider '71 made a fantastic looking racer and there was an AMT/Ertl model. Had Ford continued their racing program, this is what would have been, so glad we will get to see one, when this is finished.

[@Merylstreep1949]

For car nuts, this is better than porn 👍👍👍✌✌😸

[@TheCanadianBubba]

Documentation is king... especially with something like a one off. Those door tags are GOLD ! Thanks to Bob for letting you at this story, and thanks to you for bringing it to us ! Hope all healthy and happy in your scene Jerry.

[@thewriter2549]

Good, except virus shut down travel to a bunch more great finds!!

[@TheCanadianBubba]

In your game I suspect most of them will be waiting : ]

[@thewriter2549]

I had 2 in Europe to do, which now could be years away.

[@thewriter2549]

Are you still working, or did the virus shut you down?

[@TheCanadianBubba]

Would some of that travel have been for paid work ? Did not think of that. Myself am well insulated from fluctuations in earnings. My wife, children and other relatives and friends have not been so lucky and have all experienced changes to their income streams.

[@Tech_481]

Woah that's pretty cool

[@superfreakie]

Please keep documenting this. It is fascinating! More details the better! Thank you.

[@thewriter2549]

That is the plan.

[@guysumpthin2974]

"Mag stars " Built with alloy center shelby wheels

[@ImTHATguy...]

Yeah, well.... The "Green Hornet" and "Little Red" Shelby Mustangs were also "crushed for sure". Soooo......

[@MrBlackbutang]

Absolutely Feckin Awesome

[@amjrpain919]

FORDEVER AND EVER BABY!👋👁👁👌

[@hotrod7938]

I watched him one time at a swap meet pay an insane amount on money for 69 Boss 429 spark plug wire's that were NOS. After watching this I understand why.

[@cargo4441]

Well itsagood feeling people won't forget 1971 and the boss 303 mustang. Now if someone could tell me about the experimental 351 4v 4 speed Maverick super Grabber.

[@highdesertexplorer123]

Imagine if kids nowadays were car enthusiasts instead of video game enthusiasts? Amazing find. I understand completely why he is not going to drive the car. Putting that much effort into gathering factory, year correct markings on every little part even the markings on new old stock tires you wouldn’t want to risk wear on anything. Still it’s almost sad that this pony will never gallop. That said, it’s his car to do as he pleases.

[@LanceisLawson]

I lost interest when he said he's not going to drive it. It's a Mustang not a Jaguar.

[@johnp.5134]

With that logic why wouldn't you drive a Jaguar?

[@randymillsjr.1730]

Bob Boss Perkins. Good job

[@jimmybeastly5121]

The 🐐

[@dougcoleburn1579]

If you could have one guy to come and help you with your 69 Mustang😀 Hi Bob👍

[@entername9862]

Good job