[BlueOval Ralph]

The one you refer to as the Tom Larkin car was owned by Tony Balowski from Flat Rock, Mi Tony bought it from Tom Larkins Ford in Flat Rock. It was a early car with the S coded engine heavy rods with 1/2" rod bolts and hyd lifters was prepped by Arlen Fadely and LeRoy Hinzmann was latter converted to a T engine from Ford, ran one year in stock. In 1970 was converted to a AHRA GT 1 car with light weight Tran Am sheet metal (hood, fenders, doors, bumpers, deck lid and windows. Was runner up at the AHRA Grand Nationals in Detroit driven by Ed Bennett.

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

K,

The early 'S' Code Boss 429's.

When it first arrived in January 1969,
pre-release information stated, that it would be a 'flat-out street monster',
capable of 12.80's @ 112 MPH right off the showroom floor.

In reality, it was a 13.80 @ 102 MPH car.
And many Performance Car Magazine Editors labeled it a 'failed street supercar'.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 1969 Boss 429 Mustang (375 HP), weighed in at #3445 lbs.
Had a Weight-to-Horsepower factor of 9.19 Wt/Hp.

Based upon Ford's weight and horsepower figures, the car should have been classed in D/S or SS/G in 1969.
There, it would have been a very strong competitor.

But, at the beginning of 1969, after Ford's January 15, 1969 introduction of the Boss 429,
the NHRA re-factored the Horsepower rating, based upon Ford's own calculations and
stated estimated performance results of the car.

The NHRA re-rated the Boss 429 to 410 Horseower, with a Wt/Hp factor to 8.40.
The 35 Horsepower increase by the NHRA 'drop-kicked' the car into B/S for 1969.

Right into the B/S pack of 66' and 67' Ford/Mercury 427/410 HP cars, 427 COPO Camaro's
and SS396 Nova's.
And of course, an un-reachable B/Stock record of 11.83.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good Magazine Articles on the Boss 429;

Hi Performance Cars.... April 1969
Hi Performance Cars.....November 1969 (featuring Tom Larkin B/S Boss 429)
Super Stock & Drag Illustrated,,, June 1969 (featuring Bob Tasca's 429)
Car Craft,,,July 1969 (featuring Butch Leal)
Car Craft...January 1970
Super Stock & Funny Car,,,, September 1970 (featuring Pat Mahnken C/S Boss 429)