In today’s world we have the ability to look up and verify nearly everything in history as long as it has been subjected to being entered into the Internet somehow, which is one massive data bank. How many remember encyclopedias? That was the Internet for my generation, but I digress. This verification of historical data applies to nearly everything from genealogy to automobiles as long as you know what to look for and can find the documentation to back it up. This was certainly the case with an original from the past that had a bit of an unexpected history.
The name Larry Shinoda resonates with many who have admired his work over the years as he was involved in creating the Corvette Stingray Coupe, the Chevrolet Corvair, the Mako Shark Concept and even the Ford Mustang Boss 302. Much like a free agent player in sports Shinoda was hotly sought after and eventually GM lost him to Ford in 1968 where he was to design the 1969 Mustang Boss 302 Concept. This concept was to be built off the Mach I Mustang Cobra Jet 429 fastback and the car did not get a 302 engine but a 429 even though it carried the badging for the 302.
This concept was built and made its way around the auto show tours for a while before it was sold to a friend of Larry, after which the chain of custody was a bit muddled. Somewhere along the lines the car was in the possession of a farmer who then sold it to the current owner, John Grafelman. Even though the farmer told John there was some historical significance of the car, even though he wasn’t sure what it was, John didn’t seem to car and this concept car became a daily driver for several years.
When you think about the idea that a one of a kind car that was a full on prototype concept that had been driven daily for several years there should be two thoughts that come to mind. First is a gasping amazement at the feeling of “how could you” toward the owner and the other would be sheer pride and admiration for Larry Shinoda and his team who built a concept car that withstood the test of time and the rigors of daily driving; many concepts are not built to handle this at all.
The story of this Boss 302 does not end here. Grafelman’s son decided to do some research on the Mustang when he realized some of the parts and build did not add up. What stood out the most was the LB on the steering wheel which he recognized as a Larry Shinoda signature since he had read about the LC that was on the Corvette Shinoda had designed which stood for “Larry’s Corvette”. After digging deeper he learned the full secrets of the car that his father had been driving for many years until it was relegated to their barn. Now that the Grafelmans know the story of this car they intend to restore it back to its former glory and take it on tour; a fitting tribute for a concept car that has seen it all for many years.
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