[raycutchins]

Ummm, interesting reading to say the least.

S197 Boss Mustang On The Way
By Lane, Robert
Published: December 15, 2005


(DEARBORN, MICHIGAN) StangsUnleashed.com - Gear heads can prepare to rejoice - the dormant muscle car slug fest is about to be rekindled by Detroit’s Big Three. This coming January, The Chrysler Group (C.G.) will introduce the Dodge Challenger concept - complete with a 6.1L Hemi engine. Not to be left out, Chevy will bring out their Camaro concept, and even possibly a supercharged Corvette.

Meanwhile, here in Dearborn, Ford will unveil the production version of the venomous 5.4L powered, 475 horsepower GT500.

Yep, it is going to be a a muscle car blood match this January. Who ever said that history is not cyclical?

Team Mustang likes history, especially that of their Mustang, of which they have successfully offered in various feature cars. According to Team Mustang members, former Team Mustang boss Art Hyde (now with Ford’s quality office) laid much of the thought process for upcoming feature Mustangs. Thus far, those feature cars have included the Bullitt, Mach1 and the Shelby GT500. Each of those models have generated positive publicity for Ford and further enhanced the Mustang’s heritage.


Photographed in Dearborn with prototype graphics.

Since the introduction of the S197 Mustang (2005+) and its subsequent success, Ford Executives have taken notice of the Mustang - especially the money it is putting into the company coffers. Ford figures that they might sell close to 200,000 Mustangs (1998-2005 Ford sales figures) this year - adequate plant capacity might be the only constraint preventing them from meeting that mark. Due to the upcoming competition from the C.G. and GM though, it might be difficult for Ford to continue that sales pace without resorting to cash rebates or frequent redesigns to keep the Mustang fresh. The problem with frequent redesigns is that they consume considerable resources (time + money) and rebates drastically alter the balance sheet.

Team Mustang is keenly aware that they have to keep the Mustang on top of the game and they are doing just that with a slew of feature cars. First, BlueOvalNews reported the existence of the Shelby Mustang back in 2001 and TheMustangSource first reported the California Special earlier this year. So what’s next? Maybe the question should be - what could even be better for the Mustang? How about a Boss in S197 clothing?

Sources here in Dearborn familiar with the S197 Boss program told StangsUnleashed.com that a Boss Mustang feature program exists and a Boss is coming our way within the next few years. Ford manufactured both a Boss 302 and a 429 from 1969-1970. The last Boss Mustang, a 351, was last available in 1971.

While American muscle car nameplates have come and gone, the Boss Mustang has remained a constant facet among consumers and collectors. Take a stroll into any department store or hobby shop and count how many different Boss Mustang models line the shelves. Consumers like Cam Gillespie have not had the patience to wait for Ford to make a new Boss Mustang, so they are making their own - and Ford has taken notice.


Cam Gillespie's 2005 GT "Boss".

The S197 Boss

Sources familiar with the S197 Boss (S197 Boss Message boards) program said that the original plan was to use the 5.0L DOHC engine, however, Ford dropped plans to use that engine in regular production vehicles, such as F-Series trucks. While Ford does manufacture a 5.0L DOHC engine, it is costly and regulated for after-market use through their Motorsport catalog.

It would be possible for Ford to use the 5.0L DOHC engine in an S197 Boss, but it is unlikely due to a wide array of issues. Some of those issues include emission certification, durability testing and warranty considerations. In order for Team Mustang and Ford to make the S197 Boss program feasible, it has to be cost effective.


Photo Ford: The 5.0 DOHC engine was introduced on 03 November 1999 with the introduction of the FR500 concept.




The 4.6L DOHC engine has proven to be more than capable of serving the appetite for horsepower for years, but that was before the Challenger and Camaro were on Dearborn’s radar screen. Consider that the Challenger will use the 5.7L and 6.1L Hemi engines while the Camaro will make use of the Corvette’s engine and it quickly becomes apparent that the entry price to performance is now rooted in cubic inches. This was a key factor as to why Ford chose the 5.4L for the upcoming GT500. View the GT500 message boards.

Enter the Boss 329

Due to the increased competition and the GT500, the 4.6L DOHC engine may have been essentially regulated to GT status only. Maybe even more importantly, Ford and Ford dealers simply won’t be able to charge a nice premium for a feature car unless it is something, well, special.

Unless Ford creates something other than a 4.6L DOHC Boss tape and paint package. . .i.e. road Mustang, it simply will not be enough to command a premium in the market or compete with Dodge or Chevy. . . .on the other hand, a solid Boss 329 package will. Aside from that, the 5.4L engine has already gone through the engineering and certification processes, so it is basically on "off the shelf" piece.

As for the Boss Mustang name, according to Ford legal it is still the property of the Ford Motor Company.

What’s next?
1) Wipe the drewl from your chin.
2) Don’t hassle your dealer, at least not too much.
3) Check back for more Boss news and special announcements on the S197 Boss Mustang message boards.

COPYRIGHT 2005. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. STANGSUNLEASHED.com. DEARBORN, MICHIGAN.

[JakeM]

Did you notice when that was published? 2005. Still no Boss.

[raycutchins]

I'm hoping with the power train option that is supposed to be revealed tommorrow at the Auto Show that this will be the news.

[Mr.Stang08]

Originally Posted by Towelly Did you notice when that was published? 2005. Still no Boss.

I agree but Ford better do something soon cause the competition is getting very solid.

[JakeM]

Originally Posted by Mr.Stang08 I agree but Ford better do something soon cause the competition is getting very solid.

Not really. When considering the cost of the competitions performance models and the actual performance. GT500 still beats them hands down on price AND performance.

[Mr.Stang08]

Originally Posted by Towelly Not really. When considering the cost of the competitions performance models and the actual performance. GT500 still beats them hands down on price AND performance.

I know but what I mean is the regular GT package. They need to come up with a line under GT that would knock the competitions socks off. Maybe something under the price of a Bullit or Mach but but with a Boss engine.

[Mr.Stang08]

Maybe I'm asking for too much

[raycutchins]

I'm hoping they bump the Cobra to 6-7 liters and put the 5.0 "Coyote" in the GT.

[06VistaBlueGT]

If they come out with a "Boss" I doubt it will be called "Boss" due to the fact that Shinoda owns the name. I doubt Ford will want to pay the sticker price to buy that back. I don't see the need for a Boss type Mustang if they increase the power/performance of the current GT. We may be out gunned in the cubic inches department but the way the mod engines take to FI, we have an advantage there.

[Goldcomet]

I'd like to see it from Ford. I love the old stuff and if not a Boss model then how about a Mach1, with the 69 side stripes and flat black hood. I saw a Challenger for the first time Thursday and thought it was a very nice car (I'm not getting rid of my Mustang for one). It was a RS with a 6 speed, 20" wheels, sunroof, and leather for a 37k sticker. It had a 5.7 liter v8. That price isn't much different than a Premium GT. If someone isn't a diehard Ford customer that car could steer them away.

[psycho bob]

so you're saying a challenger with all the options isn't much different than a GT with all the options???? that's 6 grand more last i checked. there are 2 options that anyone wanting to get should really reconsider imo:

the nav. radio and the shaker 1000. if you truely want these options go work the deal to buy the car only work it with the dealer to put aftermarket options in there not the suck azz factory stuff that is overpriced in there.

[Mr.Stang08]

Originally Posted by Goldcomet I'd like to see it from Ford. I love the old stuff and if not a Boss model then how about a Mach1, with the 69 side stripes and flat black hood. I saw a Challenger for the first time Thursday and thought it was a very nice car (I'm not getting rid of my Mustang for one). It was a RS with a 6 speed, 20" wheels, sunroof, and leather for a 37k sticker. It had a 5.7 liter v8. That price isn't much different than a Premium GT. If someone isn't a diehard Ford customer that car could steer them away.

i agree with you a 100% this is what I'm talking about, interms of price vs features competitions is getting solid

[2006greyGT]

its funny that when gas is under 2 bucks it is all about the cubes.. when it hits 4 bucks it is all about economy... who even knows how much longer they are going to be allowed to build muscle cars without the price being "CHANGED" out of any ones reach by taxes. which will kill sales which will kill cars... our cars are going to have a nice 5 yr run at the top, I hope the 2010's do just as well...

[chad05gt]

IF it's ever happen; be cheaper to add a forged/stroked longblock w/ whatever power adder you can fathom and supporting suspension/drivetrain to a 1 or 2 year old GT and run circles around any BOSS.

And, lets face it... not many of us have any use for a numbered car that as soon as it is modded, it is WORHTLESS. And, take into accound, numbered cars are about 350+$ a month insurance (b/c of replacement parts).

WORTHLESS...

[LV51FER]

Shouldn't a Boss be available in James Brown?

[JakeM]

Originally Posted by LV51FER Shouldn't a Boss be available in James Brown?

Haha.. Nice!

[raycutchins]

I would like to have the option of ordering a strip down car with the power train of my choosing. I understand they want to have cars out there at the dealerships so people can try and buy on the spot. I also know there is alot of people out there that doesn't care about high horsepower performance. With both of these points it would not add much cost for me to order the car the way I want it. It seems that they would add more business to their line by doing this.

They will have to change their business model either way to stay competitive. Before I got the car I have now I almost settled on the idea of the 350z. Ford needs to step up.

[JakeM]

Originally Posted by raycutchins JDC - CRITICAL OVERDUE JOB FIRE2IBM I understand they want to have cars out there at the dealerships so people can try and buy on the spot. I also know there is alot of people out there that doesn't care about high horsepower performance. With both of these points it would not add much cost for me to order the car the way I want it. It seems that they would add more business to their line by doing this. They will have to change their business model either way to stay competitive. Before I got the car I have now I almost settled on the idea of the 350z. Ford needs to step up.

Wouldn't we all? In my opinion Ford is doing just fine. You can't have your cake and eat it too. As they say. If you don't like what it is from the factory we have the best aftermarket in the biz....

[1FUN4RD]

Or man up & buy the 500HP GT-500

For those of you that don't know. It is a Mustang, it is made by Ford, it has a 6spd & it has 500hp. Ford has stepped up, way up!! Now quit bitching or get out your wallet

[NastyFX4]

Originally Posted by Towelly Did you notice when that was published? 2005. Still no Boss.

Priceless. What about the 'Hurricane'? What about the NBS F150 Lightning? Err, I mean OBS now ... Rumors run wild as far as new projects and it's amusing the people who buy into them like they are nothing but the truth. I'll believe it when I see it.