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1 of 1 2013 Ford Boss 302 Laguna Seca
The M1 Edition that was raffled off by the Multiple
Sclerosis Society
By Dean V. Ricci
Photos provided by James Shelton
May, 2017 -- Livonia, Michigan -- In recent
years, Ford Motor Company has been producing some of the most memorable
Mustangs and other Performance Vehicles to entice the car buying public.
The rebirth of the Ford GT for the 2005 and 2006 model years, also spawned
a design concept that was to revive the legendary Shelby Cobra roadster.
The Cobra was not brought back, but one other legendary vehicle was.
In 1969 and 1970, Ford produced the Boss 302
Mustang. The car was labeled "a race car for the street" and it was not
that much of a stretch. In its final year of production, the Boss 302 won
the Manufacturers Championship in the SCCA Trans Am Racing series. As its
been
said, the stuff of legend.
In model year 2012, Ford brought back the Boss 302
model Mustang. The son of the father came back as a much more capable and
"brawny" muscle car for the street. Unlike, the earlier Boss cars, the
2012 model was released in two variants. The standard Boss 302 and the
Boss 302 Laguna Seca.
The baddest Boss of them all, the Boss 302 Laguna
Seca, deletes the rear seats and adds a tubular crossbrace in the
interior. Also added is a limited slip rear end and Recaro front seats. A
unique front splitter and rear spoiler also combine to add 90 pounds of
downforce at 140 mph.
For the 2013 model year, both Boss 302 models
returned with the 2013 model getting the familiar "hockey stick" stripes
that resembled the 1970 Boss 302 Mustangs. Also for 2013, the Laguna Secas
were available in only 2 colors, Black with Silver stripes and School Bus
Yellow with Black Stripes. However, a group within Ford Motor Company was
preparing a special edition Laguna Seca that was going to be a
one-of-a-kind edition. The group within Ford, known as "The Mustang Alley
Team", had paired up with the Multiple Sclerosis Society
to build a one-of-a-kind 2013 BOSS 302 LS, and would be raffling it off at
that year's Woodward Dream Cruise.
One of the many people that purchased raffle tickets
for a chance to win this 1 of 1 Mustang was James Shelton, from
Southeastern Michigan. James tells of the day he found out that his
raffle ticket purchase was going to put him in the driver seat of this
special edition 2013 Boss 302 Laguna Seca:
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"A friend knew that my mother had recently passed away and suffered the
effects of MS the last 45 years of her life. I thought, as a tribute to
the great mother/person my mom was, I would purchase $100 of tickets (15
total) to help in the search to find a cure".
"As the months passed, my career, family life, etc.
erased from my mind that I even purchased the tickets (besides, whoever
wins those raffles anyways?) During the 2012 Woodward Dream Cruise, work
and other “to-do” items got in the way so I didn’t even plan on attending.
While working on one of my “to-do” items I received a call on my cell
phone. The number was from the 734 area code. I didn’t recognize the
number, so I let it go to voice mail. Two hours later, after finishing my
project, I listened to my voicemail. The message I missed was from Ford VP
Raj Nair telling me I was the lucky winner of the MS Society 2013 BOSS 302
LS raffle! I have to be honest, I thought this had to be a joke and
listened to the message over and over until it finally sunk in. Wow! It
was for real!"
"After numerous phone conversations with representatives from Ford and the
MS Society, I finally took delivery of the keys to my 2013 BOSS 302 during
a ceremony at Ford’s Dearborn Development Center. Ford was so kind as to
deliver the vehicle in an enclosed trailer directly to my driveway at
home. During the ceremony, members of The Mustang Alley Team as well as
Ford management and representatives from the MS Society and Flat Rock
Assembly UAW Local 3000 educated me on the tweaks and modifications that
went into making this car so special."
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Click on an image below to enlarge
Unique features of this one-of-one car include:
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Sterling Gray Metallic paint including a factory
“show car” treatment
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Gloss black stripes that are similar to factory BOSS
stripes
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Gloss black rear spoiler and side view mirror caps
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Gloss black wheels
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“M1- Mustang Alley Edition” embroidered seats
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“M1” faux gas cap
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Complete documentation including photographs,
videos, and build sheet
The last item of this list was commented on by Ford
management as possibly being "the most completely documented Ford vehicle
ever built"
As the lucky winner of this one of a kind car, James
certainly was no stranger to the allure of the Ford Mustang:
"I have always had a lot of respect for the Mustang,
both in its styling and its performance. My current Mustang love affair
began back in the fall of 2011 when I watched a short review of the (then
new) 2012 BOSS 302 Laguna Seca on one of the cable stations. As I watched,
I remember thinking that I liked the idea of Ford going back to its racing
roots and improving on the look and feel of the original BOSS 302 with a
modern drivetrain, suspension, and safety features. I
was discussing this review with a close friend of mine who happens to be a
driveline engineer at Ford. I knew from time-to-time he brought program
vehicles home and told him that if he ever got his hands on a BOSS 302 LS
to give me a call".
"Well, months went by and it wasn’t until the spring
of 2012 that I finally received the email that I would get the chance to
see and test drive a vehicle spec’d out to match the BOSS I saw in the
review. I rode as a passenger for the first half of the ride and really
loved the support and fit the Recaro seats offered. When it was finally my
turn to drive I remember commenting how everything (shifter, steering
wheel, clutch pedal) seemed to be positioned just right for me (I can’t
even fit in a Camaro as my head hits the ceiling). As I drove on, I
realized that Ford really did their homework and I loved the way the
vehicle was almost effortless to drive even when pushed to its limit. I
was in love".
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James and his wife Susan feel blessed to have won
this car and make every attempt to show it, tell its unique story, and to
help raise awareness of MS to hopefully find a cure. There were over
35,000 tickets sold for the raffle held in Mustang Alley that year during
the 2012 Woodward Dream Cruise, that raised over $265,000 for the fight to
find the cure for MS. Many thanks to all who participated.
If you are at a car show and see this vehicle on
display, James and his wife ask that you do not hesitate to stop and chat
with them about this very unique car.
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