The English language may never be the same for this but it just seems to be the best way to ask the question that begs to be asked: what are the Ten Baddest Mustangs ever--in the opinion of an esteemed, hand-picked panel. Of course, opinions are like--well, you know what they are like--and everybody has one. But all of us are true blue Mustang nuts with papers to prove it.
Fact is, when we contacted our "panel" and asked them the question, all was OK until we informed them that they were not bound to quarter mile times or race victories. Suddenly, what was going to be, for most of the panel, a lineup of the usual suspects now became something more. Now it was about what turned the personal crank as well as what was fast--or merely significant. Now everyone needed "time" to think it out. Did we give it to them? Well, no. They had one evening to get the info to us. That way it came from the list that creeps around the back of every good Mustanger's brain; you know, the list of cars that would be in our garages if money and space permitted. So here we go.
The Baddest Mustang ever was what some might consider the wildest Mustang ever built. It certainly was one of the most specialized Ford offerings in its day. We figure that the Boss 429 was the Cobra R of the late '60s and early '70s. Rare enough to be extremely desirable, relatively fast (though no match for a 429 SCJ), and somewhat pricey. It has become the mystical car for many of the Mustang faithful. All but one of the esteemed panel picked the Boss '9 as one of their top-ten cars (see, we said Jeff was crazy).
What is really interesting is that the pick was a somewhat split decision. While Miles played in the middle of the road by saying '69 or '70, two of the others were emphatic in that the '69 was the only choice. That left Shelby Cox out in the cold as the lone supporter of the '70.
So, now you know how we feel, but most importantly, we want to know how you feel. What are your 10 Baddest Mustangs ever? Wanna tell us? Wanna argue with our decisions? Then put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) and let us know what you like. Of course we'll give you something for the submission since we know that nobody does anything for free anymore. At stake are 10 Mustang Monthly license plates and a "grand prize" of a $50 gift certificate. Your name will be drawn from a bin. The drawing will be held one month after this hits the newsstand. Send your list to: Mustang Monthly c/o Ten Baddest, 9036 Brittany Way, Tampa, FL 33619, e-mail: mustangmonthly@ sorc.com, subject line: Ten Baddest.