1970 Boss 302 vs. 1970 Shelby GT-350 | FerrariChat

1970 Boss 302 vs. 1970 Shelby GT-350

Discussion in 'American Muscle' started by rob lay, Sep 21, 2009.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

?

Best only muscle car for Rob w/road racing connection?

  1. 1970 Boss 302

  2. 1970 Shelby GT-350

  3. Mustangs run away, Prancing Horse stands to fight!

Multiple votes are allowed.
Results are only viewable after voting.
Page 1 of 2
  1. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2000
    Messages:
    64,003
    Location:
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    Rob Lay
    I'm admittedly not a muscle car guy, but have had my heart set on a 1970 Boss 302. I like the looks, want some diversity, and it does have the Trans Am connection. Just browsing internet for fun I came across the 1969-70 Shelby GT-350's. I had no idea they existed as I never see at shows, just all the mid-60's real and recreations. I like the updated look of the later ones. Shelby also has a decent road racing pedigree. ;)

    Considering they are both in same price ball park, which would you choose and why?
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    rob lay, Sep 21, 2009
    #1
  2. Fan512bbi

    Fan512bbi Two Time F1 World Champ BANNED

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2004
    Messages:
    20,938
    Location:
    Wales-UK
    Full Name:
    Steve.
    I based my decision on looks alone and voted for the GT 350.
     
    Fan512bbi, Sep 21, 2009
    #2
  3. Bill Sawyer

    Bill Sawyer Formula 3

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2002
    Messages:
    2,108
    Location:
    Georgia
    The Boss is an enthusiast's car. By 1969 the GT350 had lost its mojo; it's more like a small Thunderbird than a trans-am racer.

    Either is a good choice. It all depends on what you want. Drive both and decide which one meets your needs.
     
    Bill Sawyer, Sep 21, 2009
    #3
  4. Kds

    Kds F1 World Champ

    Joined:
    May 1, 2003
    Messages:
    10,994
    Location:
    Canada and Brasil...
    Boss 302 all the way, and you just gotta have the shaker hood and rear window slats or it's less desirable......look out for fakes, there are lots of them.

    The GT350 was the luxo-cruiser in comparison and IMHO isn't worth the $$.

    Have you driven one lately Rob ? If you do, the boyhood memory bubble you currently have (and I once had until about 2 years ago when I last drove a Boss 302) will soon be burst. Don't know what I ever saw in that car, or the others I owned, FWIW.
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2009
    Kds, Sep 21, 2009
    #4
  5. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran Silver Subscribed

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2001
    Messages:
    5,516
    Location:
    Duluth, MN
    Full Name:
    The Meister
    IIRC the GT 350's w/ 289's, up till 68' ran B production and then the new body with the 302's ran in Trans Am. IIRC the new body style GT 350 had bigger engines and therefore not legal for that series, which is why most ran the legal 302 boss in b/ production. Could be wrong.

    here's a 69 GT 350 they put a 302 in... http://www.mustangandfords.com/featuredvehicles/mdmp_0906_1969_shelby_gt350/index.html

    either way 302 all the way.
     
    Meister, Sep 21, 2009
    #5
  6. Tenney

    Tenney F1 Rookie Consultant

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2001
    Messages:
    4,296
    The Boss is a more focused car. Big heads (bigger still in '69), compression, solid lifters.

    GT350's a bit softer - w/different intent than '65-6 GT350 (or Boss 302). Sharp looker, nice driver - don't have to set the valves ...

    Depends on what you're angling for.
     
    Tenney, Sep 21, 2009
    #6
  7. REMIX

    REMIX Two Time F1 World Champ

    Joined:
    May 25, 2005
    Messages:
    21,133
    Location:
    Jacksonville & Sarasota
    302 all the way.

    RMX
     
    REMIX, Sep 21, 2009
    #7
  8. nthfinity

    nthfinity F1 Veteran

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2005
    Messages:
    7,467
    Location:
    South East MI
    Full Name:
    Isaac not Issac
    Boss 100%, the Shelby GT350 was hardly considered a Shelby after 1965 in many ways (although, many people love the GT500's through 1968).
     
    nthfinity, Sep 21, 2009
    #8
  9. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2006
    Messages:
    78,325
    Location:
    Wurundjeri man.
    Full Name:
    Arvin Grajau
    Boss like I raced .
    535 bhp
    430 ibs torque
    15 x8 Minilites
    Nothing revs like a Boss 302.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Arvin Grajau, Sep 21, 2009
    #9
  10. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2006
    Messages:
    78,325
    Location:
    Wurundjeri man.
    Full Name:
    Arvin Grajau
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Arvin Grajau, Sep 21, 2009
    #10
  11. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2006
    Messages:
    78,325
    Location:
    Wurundjeri man.
    Full Name:
    Arvin Grajau
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Arvin Grajau, Sep 21, 2009
    #11
  12. ForzaV12

    ForzaV12 Formula 3

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2006
    Messages:
    1,818
    Location:
    Laguna Niguel
    Full Name:
    Steve
    I'd agree-the Boss 302. The performance is better, styled by Shinoda and still pretty cool. The Shelby was considered a poseur by that time(even the old man wanted out of the deal with Ford by that point and really had little to do with the '70). All moot if you like the way the Shelby looks today(and many do).

    As to boyhood memories-my experience has been that many muscle cars today have been restored and drive like crap. Huge differences between these cars are possible depending on who built and dialed them in. When we obtained a "restored" AAR 'Cuda, the thing looked great, yet ran terrible. Sputtering, wandered all over the road, touchy brakes,etc.

    A few days of tuning, an aggressive alignment, proper tires and shocks and its a world of difference. Great fun, handles pretty decent with a willing, responsive engine-seats still are uncomfortable, though.
     
    ForzaV12, Sep 22, 2009
    #12
  13. davidgoerndt

    davidgoerndt Formula 3

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2004
    Messages:
    1,420
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Full Name:
    David Goerndt
    The Boss 302! The Shelby GT-350 is a Shelby in name only. After 1968, Shelby had little or no input in the cars. Plus the 69-70 cars are ugly, IMO. To me, the only real GT 350's are the 65-66 models. The local Ford dealer had a 1965 GT 350 on display back in the day and two friends had 65 Mustangs in high school. We road to Montana from N. Dak. to go skiing in the Mustang, not much fun sitting in the back seat for 600 miles!! The looks of the 67 style had to grow on me, but now I like it.
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2009
    davidgoerndt, Sep 22, 2009
    #13
  14. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2003
    Messages:
    35,532
    Location:
    Victory Circle
    Full Name:
    HUBBSTER
    I like both but the Shelby gets an edge on looks for me

    Maybe I'll get 1 of those new 69 Mustangs and build my own Super Shelby out of it

    but 1st I have to finish my 68 Vette
     
    WILLIAM H, Sep 22, 2009
    #14
  15. Bill Sawyer

    Bill Sawyer Formula 3

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2002
    Messages:
    2,108
    Location:
    Georgia
    The 69/70 Shelbys were also styled by Larry Shinoda.
     
    Bill Sawyer, Sep 22, 2009
    #15
  16. ForzaV12

    ForzaV12 Formula 3

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2006
    Messages:
    1,818
    Location:
    Laguna Niguel
    Full Name:
    Steve
    True, and I do like the way they look.
     
    ForzaV12, Sep 22, 2009
    #16
  17. tk951

    tk951 Karting

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2004
    Messages:
    113
    Location:
    DeBary, FL
    For most of the reasons that have been mentioned:

    Boss 302!
     
    tk951, Sep 24, 2009
    #17
  18. Juice It

    Juice It F1 Rookie

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    3,233
    Location:
    Maryland (DC Suburb)
    Full Name:
    Jeff
    To me the Shelby blows away the 302 in looks and the 351 in the 69-70 is a decent motor. Neither car has crazy performance by todays standards so i would go with what you think looks and drives better. A grabber blue or Competiton red (bright orange) Shelby especially the convert is a sweet car. The Boss may impress mustang people but the Shelby will get the nod from the masses.
     
    Juice It, Sep 25, 2009
    #18
  19. Ferrari 360 CS

    Ferrari 360 CS F1 Veteran

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2004
    Messages:
    6,890
    Location:
    Cape Town,SA
    Full Name:
    Jacques
    For me the Boss 302 is the one to have. Trans Am heritage, Parnelli Jones and that 302 motor make it the one to have, yes the Shelby is nice but the Boss has real history whereis the Shebly wasnt even made by Sheby but assembled by Ford.
     
    Ferrari 360 CS, Sep 25, 2009
    #19
  20. Rival

    Rival Formula Junior

    Joined:
    May 12, 2005
    Messages:
    399
    Location:
    Misipi
    I know many "purists" consider the 69-70 Shelbys to be "lesser models" than the 65-68 models, but in my opinion, the 69-70 Shelby (coupe or convertible) is one of the best looking cars ever made. Period.
     
    Rival, Sep 25, 2009
    #20
  21. Juice It

    Juice It F1 Rookie

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    3,233
    Location:
    Maryland (DC Suburb)
    Full Name:
    Jeff
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Juice It, Sep 25, 2009
    #21
  22. ForzaV12

    ForzaV12 Formula 3

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2006
    Messages:
    1,818
    Location:
    Laguna Niguel
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Very nice, indeed. I guess having watched the epic Trans Am duels between the Boss and Z/28s, I'm partial to the Boss.
     
    ForzaV12, Sep 26, 2009
    #22
  23. EarlyCat

    EarlyCat Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2005
    Messages:
    10,017
    Location:
    Shot gun shack n another prt of the World GS KW KY
    I picked the Boss. You might want to consider the TA Challenger or AAR Cuda as well. Back in high school a friend had a AAR. It was a blast to cruise around in & handled great.
     
    EarlyCat, Sep 26, 2009
    #23
  24. Jerrari

    Jerrari F1 Veteran

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2001
    Messages:
    5,469
    Location:
    Michigan
    Full Name:
    Jerry Wiersma
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Jerrari, Sep 27, 2009
    #24
  25. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2003
    Messages:
    35,532
    Location:
    Victory Circle
    Full Name:
    HUBBSTER
    SCHWING!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Way back when I was about 12 there was a red one exactly like this for sale for a few $1000

    I BEGGED my Dad to buy it. No luck. I still remember that car like it was yesterday.

    What a beauty
     
    WILLIAM H, Oct 9, 2009
    #25
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page