Boss 429 Cougars - Production Vehicle, or not?

[CougarCJ]

I agree with Bill.

Mike’s letter says homologation for NHRA. The NASCAR 429 engine was a dud for drag racing. Looks like Ford changed their mind?

[Royce]

Well it seems there obviously was a change of plans at Mercury since they were primarily match raced with SOHC 427 engines. I think for sure it is silly to argue whether they are production or prototype - I for one don’t care if you feel some need to place them in either category. I just think they are cool; attaching your label to them frankly doesn’t add or subtract anything to or from them. The Boss 429 engine was not terribly successful in Nascar either. But the cars the engine came in originally are legendary and awesome.

[Cougars_R_Grr8]

I bet the previous conversions were done by Nicholson/Yunick.

[Mike_B_SVT]

Well it seems there obviously was a change of plans at Mercury since they were primarily match raced with SOHC 427 engines. I think for sure it is silly to argue whether they are production or prototype - I for one don’t care if you feel some need to place them in either category. I just think they are cool; attaching your label to them frankly doesn’t add or subtract anything to or from them. The Boss 429 engine was not terribly successful in Nascar either. But the cars the engine came in originally are legendary and awesome.

Royce, I’m with you - I don’t really care one way or another. They are awesome cars, and would have been incredible to see prowling the streets.
But when I said “did not make production” - what I thought was a straight forward statement about not having been offered to the public, I got layed into about it and was more or less forced to justify my position! Now, I don’t consider myself an expert by any means, but I do consider you guys to be experts - or at the very least to have significanly more experience than myself. And as such, I value your opinions.

Now, something interesting was posted by Doug Herzog;

“The two engines installed at Kar Kraft were not production line DOT street Boss 429s as used in the Mustangs. The engines were a Ford Spec NASCAR two four barrel engines. The two were special built by Mercury for Mercury. Not a production car.”

I had no idea about the engine difference, and I found it interesting that as an owner he didn’t consider them to be a “production car”. I wonder what Ed would say about them?

If anything, wouldn’t they fall into the catagory of “Factory Race Car”?

[Royce]

I don’t have a dog in that hunt. Who cares?

Well it seems there obviously was a change of plans at Mercury since they were primarily match raced with SOHC 427 engines. I think for sure it is silly to argue whether they are production or prototype - I for one don’t care if you feel some need to place them in either category. I just think they are cool; attaching your label to them frankly doesn’t add or subtract anything to or from them. The Boss 429 engine was not terribly successful in Nascar either. But the cars the engine came in originally are legendary and awesome.

Royce, I’m with you - I don’t really care one way or another. They are awesome cars, and would have been incredible to see prowling the streets.
But when I said “did not make production” - what I thought was a straight forward statement about not having been offered to the public, I got layed into about it and was more or less forced to justify my position! Now, I don’t consider myself an expert by any means, but I do consider you guys to be experts - or at the very least to have significanly more experience than myself. And as such, I value your opinions.

Now, something interesting was posted by Doug Herzog;

“The two engines installed at Kar Kraft were not production line DOT street Boss 429s as used in the Mustangs. The engines were a Ford Spec NASCAR two four barrel engines. The two were special built by Mercury for Mercury. Not a production car.”

I had no idea about the engine difference, and I found it interesting that as an owner he didn’t consider them to be a “production car”. I wonder what Ed would say about them?

If anything, wouldn’t they fall into the catagory of “Factory Race Car”?

[Mike_B_SVT]

Duly noted.

I don’t have a dog in anyone else’s hunt for answers to questions about their Eliminators. But I know I want answers to my questions, so I consider it a courtesy to answer the questions that others have when I’m able to.

I appreciate your input.

I don’t have a dog in that hunt. Who cares?

Well it seems there obviously was a change of plans at Mercury since they were primarily match raced with SOHC 427 engines. I think for sure it is silly to argue whether they are production or prototype - I for one don’t care if you feel some need to place them in either category. I just think they are cool; attaching your label to them frankly doesn’t add or subtract anything to or from them. The Boss 429 engine was not terribly successful in Nascar either. But the cars the engine came in originally are legendary and awesome.

Royce, I’m with you - I don’t really care one way or another. They are awesome cars, and would have been incredible to see prowling the streets.
But when I said “did not make production” - what I thought was a straight forward statement about not having been offered to the public, I got layed into about it and was more or less forced to justify my position! Now, I don’t consider myself an expert by any means, but I do consider you guys to be experts - or at the very least to have significanly more experience than myself. And as such, I value your opinions.

Now, something interesting was posted by Doug Herzog;

“The two engines installed at Kar Kraft were not production line DOT street Boss 429s as used in the Mustangs. The engines were a Ford Spec NASCAR two four barrel engines. The two were special built by Mercury for Mercury. Not a production car.”

I had no idea about the engine difference, and I found it interesting that as an owner he didn’t consider them to be a “production car”. I wonder what Ed would say about them?

If anything, wouldn’t they fall into the catagory of “Factory Race Car”?