Ford Files Trademark For Boss, Signaling Potential New Mustang Variant

According to our friends at Ford Authority, Ford Motor Company has filed a trademark for the “Boss” name with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Filed on January 15th, 2025, under serial number 98963540, this application describes the goods and services of “Motor vehicles, namely, gasoline and electric passenger automobiles, sports cars, pick-up trucks, sport utility vehicles, and their structural parts.”

The Boss moniker has a long history with the Ford Mustang, dating back to 1969. It’s historically indicated large-displacement V8 engines and track-focused components. The Boss 302 and more powerful 429 were produced from 1969 to 1970 as homologation specials, allowing for competition in Trans Am racing. There was also a 1971 Mustang Boss 351.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse

The Boss 302 name made a brief comeback during the S197 generation of the Mustang. The 2012-2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 used an enhanced version of the 5.0L V8 Coyote engine with a forged crankshaft, revised camshafts, CNC ported heads, and a high-flow intake borrowed from the 302R racecar. It was rated at 450 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. It had various other upgrades, making it a proper track car and, of course, an appearance package with flamboyant stripes.

Just as the Chevy Camaro has its own well-known variants like IROC-Z, COPO, ZL1, and 1LE, the Boss name is in a pantheon of iconic Mustang designations like Mach 1, Cobra, Shelby, and Bullitt. For all generations of the Ford Mustang Boss variants, their closest GM counterparts were the Chevy Camaro Z28. The original Boss Mustangs and Camaro Z28 were developed for Trans Am racing, specifically to meet homologation requirements for the SCCA Trans Am series. Big, naturally aspirated V8 engines are other hallmarks that the Boss and Z28 monikers have in common.

The Shelby GT350 and Boss 302 variants of the S197 Mustang were arguably a little redundant. Now, based on rumors reported by Ford Authority, it sounds like Ford is considering ditching the Shelby variants for the current S650 generation of the Mustang in favor of in-house Ford names. A new Boss Mustang could be a spiritual successor to the track-ready Shelby GT350/GT350R that wowed enthusiasts and amateur racers during the S550 era of the Mustang.

It goes without saying at this point, but we’ll remind you anyway: any new Mustang variant will have no direct GM rival if and when it comes out.

George is an automotive journalist with soft spots for classic GM muscle cars, Corvettes, and Geo.

George Barta

George is an automotive journalist with soft spots for classic GM muscle cars, Corvettes, and Geo.

View Comments

  • Thanks to Jim and his "boy-racer" mantra, the ONLY things that Ford is working on these days (because EV plans are scrapped for now, unlike GM) are niche versions of existing models and it's pathetic.

  • Monies could be better spent giving Lincoln a proper LS sports sedan with v-8 built off S650 instead of another overpriced Mustang.

    • @ GaryE

      Now that's a fantastic idea. I am far from a ford guy, but the Lincoln LS back in 2005 was a sharp looking sedan. A V8 powered 5.0L with selectable AWD would be very enticing!!

  • And once again, GM is left out in the cold. As a GM Performance enthusiast, it is beyond embarrassing and appalling that the "powers that be" at GM permitted the Camaro to die...again. The 5th Gen was such a huge hit, then they dropped the ball with the 6th Gen by making it look nearly identical to the 5th. Sure, it was generously upgraded, but the aesthetics were very similar. As a 5th Gen owner back in the day, and car show attendee (on the regular), there were countless times when a handful of us Camaro Club guys would roll in together and other attendees would ask if our cars were all the same year, even though some were 5th Gen and some were 6th Gen. To compound the problem, GM never advertised for the Camaro. It was common to see Dodge/SRT Challenger commercials 6-8 times per day on the television. In all honesty, I don't even believe that GM had a Camaro commercial during the entire run of the 5th and 6th Gens. I know for a fact though, they sure do have dozens upon dozens of commercials for their boring, cookie-cutter, anemic CUV's. It is beyond perplexing.

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