WOW!! Not mine (I wish!).Our Holy Grail. 71 J-code convertible 1 of 1 on Ebay

[droptop73]

That is a very nice car, "correct" or not. The rarity makes it cool.

 

[kevken1959]

'71 429cj ? Id rather buy a '71 BOSS 351. Faster and better handling car...and much cooler. The 1970 BOSS 429 was the big money collector car, the BOSS 351 was the big performance car.

Point taken. I own two of the only twelve 1972 R code "Boss 351" convertibles ever made (If you don't know what I'm talking about, look it up. They are that rare. Most people have never heard on them).

I guess I'm going on the premise that I'm a ragtop guy, and I figure everyone else is as well. My first car was a 1971 Mach I, and I love the fastback body style. But when I got my first convertible, I was hooked.

And as far as collectability, no matter what the car, the highest values were always placed on the convertible versions (426 Hemi convertible...etc.).

So for convertible guys, in 1971-1973, cars as rare as this one don't come along every day. You have to be one of the guys who scoured the country trying to find the ones left to fully understand.

I know one of those guys (Mickey Graffia). He has owned two such cars. You can see his cars on the 429CJ Mustang website.

The thing is, as rare as Boss 351s were, they made way more of those than they did cars like this one. And if you live in the south, like I do, when can you drive one in the summer without sweating your a...s off?

Imagine putting the top down on that bad boy Red convertible on a hot summers' day and screaming down the interstate with the wind in your hair. That said, my 72 R code convertible with factory solid lifter cam, screw in studs and guide plates, dual point distributor, extra large Motorcraft spread bore carb, aluminum high rise intake, toploader 4 spead, and 3.91 traction-loc 31 spline nodular case rear end would leave that 429CJ car in the dust (except on the interstate. My car tops out at 115 with those 3.91 gears).

That said, I'd gladly trade my R-code convertible with this guys'car, even Stevens.

 

[wwhite72]

I drive a 72 vert with a worked cleveland. Its fun. Its not an investement car but it is a lot of fun. Has around 45k original miles

 

[kevken1959]

I drive a 72 vert with a worked cleveland. Its fun. Its not an investement car but it is a lot of fun. Has around 45k original miles

Hats off to you. That describes 99% of us enthusiasts. I remember my first vert: 73 F code 302 3 spd standard. I put a built Cleveland with Nitrous and a T5 O/D 5 spd with a Lincoln Versailles disc brake rear and 4.11 posi. in it. Man, would that car scream! I saw it up for sale again on Ebay recently. Here it is. I did it all myself.

 

[caspianwendell]

'71 429cj ? Id rather buy a '71 BOSS 351. Faster and better handling car...and much cooler. The 1970 BOSS 429 was the big money collector car, the BOSS 351 was the big performance car.

Point taken. I own two of the only twelve 1972 R code "Boss 351" convertibles ever made (If you don't know what I'm talking about, look it up. They are that rare. Most people have never heard on them).

I guess I'm going on the premise that I'm a ragtop guy, and I figure everyone else is as well. My first car was a 1971 Mach I, and I love the fastback body style. But when I got my first convertible, I was hooked.

And as far as collectability, no matter what the car, the highest values were always placed on the convertible versions (426 Hemi convertible...etc.).

So for convertible guys, in 1971-1973, cars as rare as this one don't come along every day. You have to be one of the guys who scoured the country trying to find the ones left to fully understand.

I know one of those guys (Mickey Graffia). He has owned two such cars. You can see his cars on the 429CJ Mustang website.

The thing is, as rare as Boss 351s were, they made way more of those than they did cars like this one. And if you live in the south, like I do, when can you drive one in the summer without sweating your a...s off?

Imagine putting the top down on that bad boy Red convertible on a hot summers' day and screaming down the interstate with the wind in your hair. That said, my 72 R code convertible with factory solid lifter cam, screw in studs and guide plates, dual point distributor, extra large Motorcraft spread bore carb, aluminum high rise intake, toploader 4 spead, and 3.91 traction-loc 31 spline nodular case rear end would leave that 429CJ car in the dust (except on the interstate. My car tops out at 115 with those 3.91 gears).

That said, I'd gladly trade my R-code convertible with this guys'car, even Stevens.

What you say is true for me as well on falling for 71-72 convertibles...to me nothing else can touch them

 

[kevken1959]

"But drill holes in the factory deck lid that came with the car to put on a rear spoiler? THAT'S SACRILIGE!"

Got to agree big time on that. This is extremely rare and highly sought-after Mustang.

It is very much an investment grade car. Yes, it needs some detail work to make it ultra nice but it is still very nice.

In my opinion, this car as it sits today, if a BUY IT NOW of $40k was available, the auction would have already been over.

But as long as the car is kept VERY close to original - it will appreciate well in value. It is difficult to think of any other 71-3 Mustangs more desirable - other than the James Bond 71 Mach 1 (maybe plural lol).

I'm surprised Mickey isn't looking to get this one too. Mickey and his friend Bobby Speedale have been scouring the earth for these cars since the late 70's. I'd almost be they know where all of them are located!

Ray

So true Ray!

 

[mustbrad]

I am on my second one 71 /73 drives great looks great once you go topless your hooked

 

[wwhite72]

I have never seen a luggage rack on a 71-73. i have no idea if it was a factory option but i gotta say i like it. where did you get it?

 

[kevken1959]

I am on my second one 71 /73 drives great looks great once you go topless your hooked

Indeed!

I have never seen a luggage rack on a 71-73. i have no idea if it was a factory option but i gotta say i like it. where did you get it?

Long story. That car was my first convertible I bought in 1986. It was originally silver with black 73 Mach I style stripes. It had that luggage rack on it when I bought it. Over the years, the car morphed into the pearl red car you see in the pictures (that was when I only had car, and it got all my attention, unlike today when I own over 20, and it's hard to keep one in driving condition). I have never known where that luggage rack came from. It was all chrome, not stainless steel, like most of the ones today. The ones available from aftermarket Mustang companies don't look as nice. Or fit as nice. In my mind, for some reason, I think the luggage rack only looks good on metallic convertibles. I have a blue glow metallic 73 vert that would look awesome with a luggage rack. Something also tells me that the rack might have been from a Corvette. You might want to start looking there. Best of luck.

Kevin.

 

[71JCode]

'71 429cj ? Id rather buy a '71 BOSS 351. Faster and better handling car...and much cooler. The 1970 BOSS 429 was the big money collector car, the BOSS 351 was the big performance car.

Faster? Are you kidding? There were a couple back in the day. I had no problem at all with ANY Boss 351. Not even close.

 

[hyena429]

'71 429cj ? Id rather buy a '71 BOSS 351. Faster and better handling car...and much cooler. The 1970 BOSS 429 was the big money collector car, the BOSS 351 was the big performance car.

Faster? Are you kidding? There were a couple back in the day. I had no problem at all with ANY Boss 351. Not even close.

stock as a rock on paper...The 351 boss is the fastest out of the 71-73 group in the quarter mile.....Mostly due to the low rear end gears..and the fact that it really pushed way more than 330hp...All stock dyno test on older stock boss motors end up around 380's too almost 400hp for the boss.

 

[71JCode]

'71 429cj ? Id rather buy a '71 BOSS 351. Faster and better handling car...and much cooler. The 1970 BOSS 429 was the big money collector car, the BOSS 351 was the big performance car.

Faster? Are you kidding? There were a couple back in the day. I had no problem at all with ANY Boss 351. Not even close.

stock as a rock on paper...The 351 boss is the fastest out of the 71-73 group in the quarter mile.....Mostly due to the low rear end gears..and the fact that it really pushed way more than 330hp...All stock dyno test on older stock boss motors end up around 380's too almost 400hp for the boss.

I'll stand firmly by my statement and I have the witnesses still alive to back it up. I bought this car in 1973 from the original owner, stock with PS and AC. Headers were the only mod. As teenagers do, we raced everyone we could in the Dallas area. The Boss 351 (there were two around here) was no match. None. Out of the hole, mid track, top end. Frankly I was worried beforehand and expected more. Not even close. Nor were Judges, TAs, GSs, most Cudas, Camaros. Name the car. My best friend had an R-Code 69 428SCJ. He was game about halfway through 3rd and then it was over. And his was a FAST Mustang. What a great car. I chided him that if I'd been driving his, and he mine, I would have kicked his butt.

I didn't win every race in stock trim. We were humbled (soundly) by a '67 427/435 Corvette tri-power roadster and a 440 6-pack Cuda by a nose (both times we tested him). And, we knew better to stay away from ZL-1s and L-88s (in stock trim anyway).

After that phase we got serious (as a teenager can get) and built it up to pretty much its current trim. Consistent mid-11s, all motor. When we didn't flip the 9-inch out of the spring perches.

Back in the day Car Craft tested a 429 at low 13s. The Boss 351 came in 3-4 tenths slower. Look it up. I'm not saying the Boss was slow. It just wasn't as fast.

A sad anecdote to this is I had a really good friend back then who managed to pick up a Boss 351 that had been hit up front for peanuts ($1500 comes to mind). He was bound and determined to slide a big block into it because "I want to beat your ass". I tried and tried to talk him out of it. He pulled the motor, sold it and dropped a 460 in and got his really fast Mach. A Mach that was worth a fraction of what it would have been if he'd kept it all together. He could have bought 302 sportsroof and done the same thing.

This is not wishing or guessing or making stuff up. This is the way it actually happened in 73-74.

Here's a rundown from MM of the mag tests for all mustangs. Non-AC SCJs came with 4.11s, so the gearing was fine for standing-start launching.

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/thehistoryof/173_0310_ten_fastest_mustangs/viewall.html

 

[hyena429]

Faster? Are you kidding? There were a couple back in the day. I had no problem at all with ANY Boss 351. Not even close.

stock as a rock on paper...The 351 boss is the fastest out of the 71-73 group in the quarter mile.....Mostly due to the low rear end gears..and the fact that it really pushed way more than 330hp...All stock dyno test on older stock boss motors end up around 380's too almost 400hp for the boss.

I'll stand firmly by my statement and I have the witnesses still alive to back it up. I bought this car in 1973 from the original owner, stock with PS and AC. Headers were the only mod. As teenagers do, we raced everyone we could in the Dallas area. The Boss 351 (there were two around here) was no match. None. Out of the hole, mid track, top end. Frankly I was worried beforehand and expected more. Not even close. Nor were Judges, TAs, GSs, most Cudas, Camaros. Name the car. My best friend had an R-Code 69 428SCJ. He was game about halfway through 3rd and then it was over. And his was a FAST Mustang. What a great car. I chided him that if I'd been driving his, and he mine, I would have kicked his butt.

I didn't win every race in stock trim. We were humbled (soundly) by a '67 427/435 Corvette tri-power roadster and a 440 6-pack Cuda by a nose (both times we tested him). And, we knew better to stay away from ZL-1s and L-88s (in stock trim anyway).

After that phase we got serious (as a teenager can get) and built it up to pretty much its current trim. Consistent mid-11s, all motor. When we didn't flip the 9-inch out of the spring perches.

Back in the day Car Craft tested a 429 at low 13s. The Boss 351 came in 3-4 tenths slower. Look it up. I'm not saying the Boss was slow. It just wasn't as fast.

A sad anecdote to this is I had a really good friend back then who managed to pick up a Boss 351 that had been hit up front for peanuts ($1500 comes to mind). He was bound and determined to slide a big block into it because "I want to beat your ass". I tried and tried to talk him out of it. He pulled the motor, sold it and dropped a 460 in and got his really fast Mach. A Mach that was worth a fraction of what it would have been if he'd kept it all together. He could have bought 302 sportsroof and done the same thing.

This is not wishing or guessing or making stuff up. This is the way it actually happened in 73-74.

Here's a rundown from MM of the mag tests for all mustangs. Non-AC SCJs came with 4.11s, so the gearing was fine for standing-start launching.

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/thehistoryof/173_0310_ten_fastest_mustangs/viewall.html

I read part of motor trend of 1970'ish..and i have looked it up...and they state that the boss was the faster out of the 2 they tested.....and mustang monthly admits when it comes to the cj quarter mile times...."Unfortunately, none of the magazines could be found in our magazine library, so we were unable to verify the times and information about the cars." So only motor trend that they know tested both cars at the time....And they state that the advatage to the boss was the low traction lok that beat the cj.. the cj had higher gears ....Again...i can only go by the proof and what power did they really make...even mustang monthly says the boss in stock forum had a faster quarter mile time..But they say due to the low gears mostly.

im sure you did race every car around there...I did too..lol...But i beat alot of cars with more hp than mine cause of crappy drivers..lol..Now same driver in diff cars and if they know the limits and sweet spots of the car they are driving..Then i can say..Yup..This one is quicker "in stock forum" Now your headers do give you a big HP advantage over a stock boss too...That is atleast a 30 hp gain..And we know that is a big dif over stock...That would give you a good advantage at the time.

And im not saying the cj is slow by any means or if one is better than the other...But untill some one does a modern test and multi runs stock as a rock with original everything...then i can for sure be positive...But i think the low rear end does give it a advatange in the quarter mile.

 

[OMS]

stock as a rock on paper...The 351 boss is the fastest out of the 71-73 group in the quarter mile.....Mostly due to the low rear end gears..and the fact that it really pushed way more than 330hp...All stock dyno test on older stock boss motors end up around 380's too almost 400hp for the boss.

I'll stand firmly by my statement and I have the witnesses still alive to back it up. I bought this car in 1973 from the original owner, stock with PS and AC. Headers were the only mod. As teenagers do, we raced everyone we could in the Dallas area. The Boss 351 (there were two around here) was no match. None. Out of the hole, mid track, top end. Frankly I was worried beforehand and expected more. Not even close. Nor were Judges, TAs, GSs, most Cudas, Camaros. Name the car. My best friend had an R-Code 69 428SCJ. He was game about halfway through 3rd and then it was over. And his was a FAST Mustang. What a great car. I chided him that if I'd been driving his, and he mine, I would have kicked his butt.

I didn't win every race in stock trim. We were humbled (soundly) by a '67 427/435 Corvette tri-power roadster and a 440 6-pack Cuda by a nose (both times we tested him). And, we knew better to stay away from ZL-1s and L-88s (in stock trim anyway).

After that phase we got serious (as a teenager can get) and built it up to pretty much its current trim. Consistent mid-11s, all motor. When we didn't flip the 9-inch out of the spring perches.

Back in the day Car Craft tested a 429 at low 13s. The Boss 351 came in 3-4 tenths slower. Look it up. I'm not saying the Boss was slow. It just wasn't as fast.

A sad anecdote to this is I had a really good friend back then who managed to pick up a Boss 351 that had been hit up front for peanuts ($1500 comes to mind). He was bound and determined to slide a big block into it because "I want to beat your ass". I tried and tried to talk him out of it. He pulled the motor, sold it and dropped a 460 in and got his really fast Mach. A Mach that was worth a fraction of what it would have been if he'd kept it all together. He could have bought 302 sportsroof and done the same thing.

This is not wishing or guessing or making stuff up. This is the way it actually happened in 73-74.

Here's a rundown from MM of the mag tests for all mustangs. Non-AC SCJs came with 4.11s, so the gearing was fine for standing-start launching.

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/thehistoryof/173_0310_ten_fastest_mustangs/viewall.html

I read part of motor trend of 1970'ish..and i have looked it up...and they state that the boss was the faster out of the 2 they tested.....and mustang monthly admits when it comes to the cj quarter mile times...."Unfortunately, none of the magazines could be found in our magazine library, so we were unable to verify the times and information about the cars." So only motor trend that they know tested both cars at the time....And they state that the advatage to the boss was the low traction lok that beat the cj.. the cj had higher gears ....Again...i can only go by the proof and what power did they really make...even mustang monthly says the boss in stock forum had a faster quarter mile time..But they say due to the low gears mostly.

im sure you did race every car around there...I did too..lol...But i beat alot of cars with more hp than mine cause of crappy drivers..lol..Now same driver in diff cars and if they know the limits and sweet spots of the car they are driving..Then i can say..Yup..This one is quicker "in stock forum" Now your headers do give you a big HP advantage over a stock boss too...That is atleast a 30 hp gain..And we know that is a big dif over stock...That would give you a good advantage at the time.

And im not saying the cj is slow by any means or if one is better than the other...But untill some one does a modern test and multi runs stock as a rock with original everything...then i can for sure be positive...But i think the low rear end does give it a advatange in the quarter mile.

I had a 1971 Mach 1 429 SCJ solid lifter cam car with a 4 speed and FACTORY 411's

The 429 SCJ cars came with 391's or 411's

So now the transmissions and rear gears are the same

The difference is 351 CI VS 429 CI in a drag race.

If both cars get equal traction 429 SCJ wins everytime.

As much as I love my Cleveland's 78 CI is real hard to overcome all else being equal.

 

[hyena429]

I had a 1971 Mach 1 429 SCJ solid lifter cam car with a 4 speed and FACTORY 411's

The 429 SCJ cars came with 391's or 411's

So now the transmissions and rear gears are the same

The difference is 351 CI VS 429 CI in a drag race.

If both cars get equal traction 429 SCJ wins everytime.

As much as I love my Cleveland's 78 CI is real hard to overcome all else being equal.

Well the ones they tested only had 3:25's...motor trend atleast But even the fact that a 351 cube motor by the numbers stay with a big block is amazing enough.......The Boss 351's faster claim is due to the difference in rear axle gears in most of the magazine test cars....So dont kill the messager...It just what the test back in the day said...And as we all know..Those can be way wrong too....I would like to see a modern test done....But these cars people do not wanna race like that anymore...Be neat to see some one make a fake boss to original specs and a fake SCJ to specs and run them..Factory

Read more: http://www.mustangmonthly.com/featuredvehicles/mump_1112_1971_429_mach_1_1971_boss_351/#ixzz2VpdGFlux

I would like to see some honest good test for once i guess...Like the 429 boss...I seen old mags that said it only ran 14 secs...I seen some saying they ran 12.5...Well those numbes are so far apart its hard to know who what or why..lol...So many mags back in the day messed with the numbers.

 

[Wolverine]

Wow...I wonder how I ended up with the old fart award.

I thought we were above the "my car is faster than your car"...and moved onto the "my car is louder than your car" disagreements.

 

[kevken1959]

Wow...I wonder how I ended up with the old fart award.

I thought we were above the "my car is faster than your car"...and moved onto the "my car is louder than your car" disagreements.

LMMFAO!

 

[hyena429]

Wow...I wonder how I ended up with the old fart award.

I thought we were above the "my car is faster than your car"...and moved onto the "my car is louder than your car" disagreements.

lmao...I dont own either cars..So just a discussion..not argument Just i read quite a few stats.. that said 351 Boss was faster..I seen stats and numbers all over the place on all of them ..I guess i just wanna see them really run them...lol

 

[wwhite72]

Whoa, i guess i started a good discussion! 71Jcode, is it possible you had more balls that most of the guys you raced? Thats the fastest part of a car, the driver! But the Boss 351 was always the showroom trophy winner. Once they rolled on to the asphalt every race was different. Come on, carb cars with points and bias ply tires? The performance would change from what it was at 8am to what it could do at noon on a given day. You probably tuned your car daily. I did wih my '72 when i was i highschool, good stuff!

 

[Boss1Ray]

'71 429cj ? Id rather buy a '71 BOSS 351. Faster and better handling car...and much cooler. The 1970 BOSS 429 was the big money collector car, the BOSS 351 was the big performance car.

Wow...I wonder how I ended up with the old fart award.

I thought we were above the "my car is faster than your car"...and moved onto the "my car is louder than your car" disagreements.

:goodone:

Ray