Ford's experimental Mid-Engined Boss Mustang

[Custom Hearse]

Interesting to say the least!!!

 

http://www.hotrod.com/news/1505-a-mid-engine-boss-429-mustang-yes-its-true/

[Ace-Garageguy]

Interesting indeed. A real cobbled-up engineering job though, apparently intended to save some rear-seat room. The engine location and live rear axle-based IRS are far from ideal, but certainly innovative.

That big ol' cast-iron lump of an engine sitting in the tail probably made for some evil handling on trailing-throttle. And once the transfer case was cast and machined, and the 9" rear end was modified into an IRS configuration (including another custom cast housing), it's debatable as to how low the investment in the "low-investment-drivetrain" really was.

Just buying-in an existing transaxle, or (horrors) even using the GM Toronado/Eldorado TH-425 unit might have been considerably cheaper and lighter.

But it sure would have been fun to be on the team that got paid (and paid well) to build crazy stuff like this for FoMoCo.

Edited October 1, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy

[dublin boy]

The Boss 302 would have been the one to use if they were going to do it.

That 429 Boat Anchor is sitting over the rear end as Bill said. It'd never work.

Pantera small block kitbash anyone?

[gtx6970]

Pretty cool idea.

It doesnt matter if it was feasible or not.

Manufacturers did stuff like this ( then and now ) quite  simply,,, because they could and to push the envelope

[aurfalien]

Wow how cool.

A pity it was meant to be disposed of.  Why go through all those man hours of R&D, implementation etc just to scrap it?

I never understood this but it happens all the time.

I look at it as why disregard some ones time and effort by throwing it away?  Respect efforts by simply show casing it etc...

Edited October 1, 2015 by aurfalien

[Ace-Garageguy]

You never know. If you read the entire article, it seems she may just still be out there somewhere. Stranger things have happened.

Speaking of which, the remains of the Porsche 550 Spyder James Dean died in, 'lost' for decades, are supposedly found. Sortof.

[Miatatom]

Speaking of which, the remains of the Porsche 550 Spyder James Dean died in, 'lost' for decades, are supposedly found. Sortof.

One of my all time favorite actors. Just recorded 4 programs he did in the early to mid 50s that were n TV, Never seen them before.

James Dean was taken from us 60 years ago yesterday (9-30-55).

Now, Bill, please elaborate on the 550s remains.

[Ace-Garageguy]

James Dean was taken from us 60 years ago yesterday (9-30-55).

Now, Bill, please elaborate on the 550s remains.

Article here...   http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/james-deans-porsche-550-spyder-location-rumor-reward/

 

and here...   http://www.leftlanenews.com/james-deans-porsche-550-spyder-found-after-55-years-89822.html

Edited October 2, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy

[Maindrian Pace]

A factory, mid engine, Boss 429/automatic Mach 1 fastback? I'm intrigued.

-MJS

 

[Miatatom]

Article here...   http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/james-deans-porsche-550-spyder-location-rumor-reward/

 

and here...   http://www.leftlanenews.com/james-deans-porsche-550-spyder-found-after-55-years-89822.html

Thanks, Bill! I love a mystery and all things James Dean.