Discover the exceptional story of the 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 Fastback, the personal car of MCA Judge Bob Wilson, concours restored to MCA Trailer Gold standards in 1999 at RJ Restorations in Farmington, Minnesota. With 51,000 original miles, matching numbers 351 CI engine bored .030 over, NOS parts, and original features, this Mustang is a true masterpiece.
Introduction
The 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 Fastback is an iconic American muscle car that has captured the hearts of many enthusiasts for decades. However, this particular Boss 351 is more than just a classic car; it is a piece of history that has been beautifully restored to its former glory.
The car was the personal vehicle of MCA Judge Bob Wilson, who played an instrumental role in establishing the Mustang Club of America. After many years of driving and enjoying his beloved Boss 351, Mr. Wilson decided to have it restored to concours standards. In 1999, he entrusted the restoration to RJ Restorations in Farmington, Minnesota, where the car was restored to MCA Trailer Gold standards.
With only 51,000 original miles on the clock, this Mustang has been carefully preserved and maintained over the years. The restoration process involved using only original parts, including NOS trunk floor, tail lamp panel and housing, stripe kits, and bumpers. The car’s original sheet metal was also preserved and used in the restoration process.
The engine is the original matching numbers 351 CI, which has been bored .030 over and features correct forged pop-up pistons, D1ZX rods and crank, and a rebuilt carburetor. The factory Ford exhaust and NOS H pipe complete the performance package. The car also features a 3.91 rear end with 31-spline axles and original front shocks, dated upper and lower control arms, and original front and rear springs.
The interior of the car is also original, with standard Red Vermillion upholstery. Reproduction headliner, door panels, and seat covers were used during the restoration process, but the car retains its original NOS shifter boot. The car rides on NOS Magnum 500 wheels and center caps wrapped in Firestone Wide Oval tires.
This article will explore the exceptional story of the 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 Fastback, the personal car of MCA Judge Bob Wilson, concours restored to MCA Trailer Gold standards in 1999 at RJ Restorations in Farmington, Minnesota.
The Restoration Process
Restoring a classic car to concours standards is a painstaking process that requires a significant amount of time, effort, and attention to detail. The restoration of this particular Boss 351 was no exception, and it took the team at RJ Restorations several months to complete.
The restoration process began by completely disassembling the car and stripping it down to its bare metal. The body was then carefully inspected for any signs of rust or damage, and any areas that required attention were repaired using the car’s original sheet metal.
Once the body was in good condition, the team moved on to the engine and transmission. The engine was completely disassembled, cleaned, and inspected. Any worn or damaged parts were replaced with correct, original parts. The engine was then reassembled and painted to match the car’s exterior.
The transmission was also inspected and rebuilt as necessary. The car’s original carburetor was rebuilt and reinstalled, and the factory Ford exhaust and NOS H pipe were also installed.
