A rare one-year-only 1971 Mustang Boss 351 emerges from storage, fully restored into a museum-quality collector’s piece.
Not every barn find makes it back on the road. Many classics emerge too rusty or too far gone, ultimately serving as parts donors. But every so often, a survivor gets a second chance. That’s the case with a 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 that recently underwent a complete restoration after decades in storage.
Discovered in 2023 as part of a four-car barn collection, the Mustang was joined by a 1967 Shelby GT500, a 1969 Boss 302, and a 1969 Boss 429. All four were acquired by Mustang collector Finley Ledbetter of the Blue Oval Car Barn. While the Boss 351 looked relatively intact when found, hidden rust and a moldy interior ruled out preservation in original condition. Ledbetter instead pursued a full restoration, unveiling the car this year in better-than-new shape.
Finished in Wimbledon White over a rarely seen bright red interior, the Boss 351 now stands out as both a restoration success and a rarity. The model was only produced for the 1971 model year, built as a spiritual successor to the Boss 302 but with its own exclusive powertrain. The R-code 351-cubic-inch Cleveland V8 was rated at 330 horsepower, making it the second most powerful Mustang of the year behind the 429 Cobra Jet.
Ford sold just 1,806 examples of the Boss 351, roughly 1.2 percent of total Mustang production in 1971. Survival numbers remain uncertain, but collector experts suggest far fewer than 100 remain in concours-grade condition.
For enthusiasts, this once-forgotten Boss now represents more than another restored muscle car—it’s a tangible link to a moment when Ford’s performance division pushed boundaries, a museum-worthy reminder of how barn finds can be reborn into history.
