great post; this info can be sketchy and ambiguous some places on the net
While I bilieve that the BOSS 351 was indeed thd fastest stock 71 Mustsng, there some sources that put a 429 mach as fastest.
Very surprisingly, the fastest 1/4 mile time I have ever seen from an era magaxine puts a "standard" 429 CJ / C6 faster than any other, even a 429 SCJ 4-speed.
I just don't believe a 3.50 geared 429 is going to beat either a 3.91 or 4.11 geared 429, or a 3.91 geared BOSS 351.
My brother owned a B'1 from new for many years while I had my 429 CJ/C6/3.50 gears.
No way was my 429 CJ ever going to beat that BOSS 351.
A 429 SCJ/ 4 speed/ 3.91 may have given it a run, but it would have been close. The problem with my CJ, and I assume the SCJ to a larger degree was more weight and not nearly enough traction.
That last statement is very correct. I remember an article from the early 70's. They were running the 429 Boss against against the 454 LS6 Chevelle, Which weighed 4500 lbs. They said the Chevelle was faster, due to the limited traction of the Mustang. As I remember the times were within about 2 tenths of a second. But the article stated that the Boss was still spinning the tires at 3/4 track.
They believed if the Boss were able to hook it would have easily bested the Chevelle. The age old saying "you don't win races by spinning the tires" seems to fit pretty well. JTS 71 Mach1
Guys, I have always enjoyed a good drag race but that was back in the 60's when I had my 57. Today I believe if you want to test a car (Mustang) take it out for a day of open track racing or just find your favorite mountain road like I'm going to do here in a minute and be safe but have some fun. I love this thing they call retirement. End the tension bring on the pension.
I think KIT had it right weight and gears have a lot to do finishing first at the end of a 1/4 mile.Been there and and felt the pain.
Good post and anybody interested Mustang Monthly did a cover story giving times and publications and vehicle information on which was the Ten fastest factory Mustang ever built and how they compared to what was the present day fastest at the time of that printing. I was pretty interesting reading October 2003 issue. Check it out.