Ground-Up Restored Mustang Boss 351 V8 Matching-Numbers Toploader 4-speed

This 1971 Boss 351 is razor sharp, factory correct, and fresh off a meticulous, nut-and-bolt restoration completed in 2023. One of only 1,806 Boss 351s produced, and one of just 246 finished in code-correct Bright Blue Metallic, this car was delivered new to Jim Wilson Ford in Yreka, California and still carries all the signature attitude that made these final-year Boss Mustangs instant legends.

From every angle, the car presents like a rolling blueprint of how a Boss 351 should look. The exterior nails the original spec with Argent side stripes, a matching hood topper, and Argent rear fascia vinyl. Both the front and rear spoilers have been painted to match the factory decal package. Body-colored sport mirrors blend into the lines, while vacuum-operated NACA-style hood scoops bring functional aggression to the front end. Every correct ID decal is present and accounted for…not that anyone's likely to confuse a Boss 351 for anything else.

The stance is dead-on thanks to 15-inch chrome Magnum 500 wheels wrapped in classic Firestone Wide Oval tires. Period-correct aesthetics are everywhere you look, from the trim fitment to the paint depth, to the subtle glow of chrome that breaks up the Bright Blue just enough. It's the kind of presence you can't fake.

Pop the hood and you're met with a factory-correct engine bay so clean it looks like Ford prepped it for a 1971 showroom. The Cleveland 351 cubic inch V8 was fully rebuilt during the restoration and delivers its factory-rated 330 horsepower through a ram air intake and 4-barrel carburetor. Every surface under the hood looks fresh, from the fasteners to the finishes, and every period-correct detail is in place. The only deviation is a top-post battery disconnect, added for practicality. It's backed by the original, VIN-matching Toploader 4-speed manual transmission and a Ford 9-inch rear axle with 3.91 gears and a Traction-Lok differential…exactly what you'd expect on a real-deal Boss. Factory power steering, power front disc and rear drum brakes, and the standard Competition Suspension round out the mechanical side of things. The car feels tight and sorted.

Inside, the correct Black Ruffino and Corinthian vinyl interior stays true to form with bucket seats, a center console, a Hurst T-handle shifter, and a 3-spoke Rim Blow steering wheel. Just like the rest of the car, the cabin delivers that clean, unpretentious, factory-fresh feel. No over-restoration, no fluff…just the kind of interior you'd expect to see in 1971.

This Boss has been kept in climate-controlled storage, and it shows in every corner. From the undercarriage to the engine bay, to the way the doors close and the glass fits, this car carries the unmistakable feel of a thorough, professionally executed restoration. Cars don't show this well by accident…it takes time, effort, and someone who knew exactly what they were doing. If you're looking for a collector-grade Boss 351 that looks, runs, and feels like it just rolled off the line…this one deserves serious consideration.

Key Highlights

* Documented Boss 351 Mustang
* Ground-up restoration completed in 2023
* One-year-only model, produced exclusively in 1971
* Only 1,806 Boss 351s ever produced
* 1 of 246 1971 Boss 351s in Bright Blue Metallic
* Date-correct D0AE-L Boss 351ci V8
* Numbers-matching Toploader 4-speed manual transmission
* Ford 9" w/ 3.91 gears
* Traction-Lok differential
* Correct Argent sticker package
* Rear spoiler
* Competition suspension
* Vacuum-operated ram air hood
* 15" chrome Magnum 500 wheels
* Firestone Wide Oval tires
* Black ruffino/corinthian vinyl interior
* Power front disc brakes
* Power steering
* Documented with Marti Auto Works report