A 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 is already a serious collector’s car, but one example currently listed for auction has an extraordinary racing connection. Instead of its original street-spec V8, this Grabber Blue Mustang has a NASCAR engine tied to Richard Petty’s 1969 Ford racing campaign.
According to its listing on Bring a Trailer, the car was originally delivered to Tasca Ford in East Providence, Rhode Island. Rather than staying a showroom muscle car, it became a dedicated drag racer driven by Carl Tasca.
Ford developed the Boss 429 to homologate its massive 429-cubic-inch V8 for NASCAR competition. Only 499 examples were built for the 1970 model year, making this particular Mustang unusual even before considering its engine.
Now, decades after its days at the drag strip, the car is attracting collector attention. Its appeal rests on a rare combination of documented history, unusual engineering, and connections to two major names in American motorsports.
A NASCAR Engine With a Richard Petty Connection
Carl Tasca obtained the race-prepared Boss 429 V8 engine from Petty Enterprises following the 1969 racing season. The engine came from a Ford Torino Talladega raced by Richard Petty during the 1969 NASCAR season, giving the Mustang a direct and rather unusual connection to the legendary driver.
Tasca Ford fitted the engine with a Weiand tunnel-ram intake, two Holley four-barrel carburetors, and custom headers. A dramatically raised, removable hood provided clearance for the towering induction system.
Built to Race, Not Cruise
The Mustang received rear chassis reinforcements, traction bars, and American Racing magnesium wheels. Its four-speed manual transmission sends power to the rear wheels, while a driveshaft safety loop reflects its competition purpose.
Carl Tasca raced the car before selling it to Connecticut drag racer Henry Austin Jr. in September 1974. The documented $4,500 sale specifically described a race engine and restricted the Mustang to competition use.
Restored by Experienced Racing Hands
The current owner acquired the Mustang in 2014 and commissioned a refurbishment at Delisio’s Performance in New York. Its body was repainted in factory Grabber Blue in 2015, retaining the distinctive white graphics and modified hood.
International Drag Racing Hall of Fame inductee “Ohio George” Montgomery rebuilt the NASCAR V8 at George’s Speed Shop. The car’s five-digit odometer currently displays approximately 3,300 miles, although that reading should not be mistaken for a verified lifetime mileage figure.
A Rare Mustang With an Important Catch
The Bring a Trailer listing shows bidding at $150,500, with five days remaining at the time of writing. The seller includes historical photographs, service records, a build sheet, and a Deluxe Marti Report copy.
However, the Mustang has reportedly been stored for approximately two years and is not legal for road use. It also comes without a title or registration, making this a collector’s competition car with an extraordinary racing pedigree rather than a street-ready muscle car.