History of the BOSS (Shinoda) Mustang

Back in 1964, Ford's general manager Lee Iacocca, envisioned a small sports car to replace the full sized muscle cars of the era. Originally named after the P-51 Mustang fighter plane, the Ford Mustang (pony car) was a success from the very beginning.

                                   
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Five years later, noted automobile designer, the late Larry Shinoda (Z28 Camaro, '63 Corvette Stingray, fame), introduced the original Boss 302 and Boss 429 Mustangs. Bursting onto the racing scene in 1969'-70', they were the car to beat. Winning both NHRA drag racing events and SCCA Trans-Am championships, the Boss Mustangs endeared themselves to both racers and car enthusiasts alike.

Today's BOSS (Shinoda) Mustang

After 25 years, the BOSS package is back. The original BOSS legend himself, Larry Shinoda, has once again put his mark on the new stable of muscle Mustangs. Fords latest Mustang is a very good looking automobile, but one of Detroit's most notable designers, Larry Shinoda, knew he could take a great car and make it even better. His BOSS(TM) Mustang is distinguished by both graphics and aero dynamic enhancements, that include logos, stripes, air dams, and a tasteful rear spoiler. With Shinoda's treatment, our mustang has looks to match its performance.

After seeing the new generation Mustang GT's, Larry decided they were a little plain and needed to look a bit more aggressive. Adding ground effects, and a new graphic package, Larry has captured the 1990's Boss look with this pony car.

     
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With the original Boss Mustangs popularity, even to this day, racers, enthusiasts and collectors alike, will covet this new version of an old classic. *Information written by the Testor Corporation.

Larry Shinoda
March 25, 1930 - November 13, 1997

In Dedication to the Late Larry K. Shinoda. Larry passed away at his home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan of Heart failure on November 13, 1997. Larry had just passed the final tissue-match test for his kidney transplant the day before he died. Though Larry is no longer with us, his legacy lives on.

Larry was born in Los Angeles in 1930. He started developing his artistic talents in grade school while he grew up in Southern California. He was one of the most talented automotive designers of his time. After leaving the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, He started working for Ford in 1955. The following year he started working for Packard and then to GM as the Senior Designer where he worked very closely with Bill Mitchell he was put in charge of some special projects like the Sting Ray racer, Mako Shark I and II, Corvair Monza GT and the Super Spyder.

                                                                                                       
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While with GM Larry was responsible for the 1963 Split Window Corvette. He was also involved in the early Z/28 Camaro as well as numerous GM show cars. His next move was to Ford in the late sixties, he came on as head of Ford’s Special Design Center where he was responsible for the Torino Cobra with it’s powerful 428-cu.in.engine as well as designing the Boss 302 Mustang and offering up the name “Boss” for the project .

Along the way he designed Indy Cars, racing cars, go karts, mobile homes, semis, and snowmobiles. As an independent stylist on his own, Larry drew many industrial and automotive designs. They include the Rick Mears Special Corvette, the new Cragar SS Mag Wheel, a special limited edition of the Ford Contour, the Explorer Motor Home, and my favorite the “Boss By Shinoda” package for the ’94 and newer Mustangs. Larry was very active in the Mustang, Corvette and old car hobby. He will surely be missed!
 

About Team Shinoda

Team Shinoda was formed by Karen Shinoda, Brian Flahive (Larry’s son-in-law), Jim Klok and Dallas Mustang to continue the legacy of Larry Shinoda and the BOSS Mustang.

Currently Team Shinoda is a member of SEMA(Specialty Equipted Manufatures Association). We are also working with Mustang Club of America to develop a Shinoda classification for judging in National shows throughout the country.

Today there nearly 50 late model BOSS and Cobra Shinoda’s certified and registered in the United States. Come join the team and share in the pride that has become a legend.

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