Does anyone here have any experience with either of these two Boss 302 factory race cars? What are they like to own, drive, service? Has anyone ever converted one to street use? I am looking into perhaps acquiring one later in the year. I understand that the Boss website would be a more proper venue for this inquiry but SAAC tends to have owners of the late models and are more responsive than the other site.
I have tracked one a few years back. Full cage meant climbing in through the cage. Stock sealed motor was wonderful, just enough power. But the suspension and brakes were it's strong point! Just un-flappable, never near the limits, a delight to drive hard. Race seat, race dash, no creature comforts.
For the street? That's a big ask.
Quote from: Cobrask8 on April 01, 2026, 06:52:12 AMI have tracked one a few years back. Full cage meant climbing in through the cage. Stock sealed motor was wonderful, just enough power. But the suspension and brakes were it's strong point! Just un-flappable, never near the limits, a delight to drive hard. Race seat, race dash, no creature comforts.
For the street? That's a big ask.
Yes, a big ask indeed due to a number of issues. I have the Laguna to keep me entertained, but lurking around in my subconscious is having a factory race car of this lineage. Road America is not far from me. The Autobahn in Joliet even closer. It is something I am considering. Thank you for your candid input!
As for the boss s and boss r, those cars have no VIN so good luck converting to street. Plus the special race parts for those cars are big dollars and in some cases, it's getting harder to find service parts.
Quote from: xracer153 on April 01, 2026, 05:53:03 PMAs for the boss s and boss r, those cars have no VIN so good luck converting to street. Plus the special race parts for those cars are big dollars and in some cases, it's getting harder to find service parts.
The parts could present a problem, but there is always a workaround when faced with such circumstances. Get a super low mileage one and I'll be in the ground before I would have the concern about replacement parts. Some states allow a VIN to be assigned to a car if it is non-conforming like a kit car. I will need to research the law in the State of Illinois to see how it is handled. Nothing that a little litigation and a sympathetic judge might not cure. There are things like turn signals, windshield washer bottle and the like to start making the car street legal Air bag too might be a requirement. It would be quite an exercise to get the thing on the street and in the end, if it was denied, I'd still have a nice factory racer to take to RA or the like. You raise valid points so I cannot discount them out of hand.
This is interesting:
can a race car vehicle be made legal in Illinois
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Yes, a race car can be made street-legal in Illinois by registering it as a "Specially Constructed Vehicle" or "Custom Vehicle" through the Illinois Secretary of State. This requires passing a safety inspection, obtaining a VIN, and adding necessary equipment like headlights, turn signals, brake lights, mirrors, and a horn.
Illinois Secretary of State (.gov)
Illinois Secretary of State (.gov)
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Steps to Legalize a Race Car in Illinois:
Documentation: You must submit proof of ownership for all essential parts (bills of sale, chassis title) or a certificate of origin for kit cars.
Inspection: The vehicle must pass a Street Rod and Custom Vehicle Safety Inspection.
VIN and Title: If the car has no VIN, the state will assign one after a theft inspection, often requiring a bonded title.
Equipment Requirements: The car must be fitted with DOT-approved components:
Lighting: Two headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, and license plate lights.
Safety: Seat belts, horn, windshield wipers, and mirrors (one interior, one driver-side).
Modification: Tires must be street-legal, and exhaust must have a muffler.
Application: Submit the application to the Secretary of State along with photographs of the finished car (front, rear, and both sides).
That process is exactly the same I used in Pennsylvania to title and register my FFR in Pennsylvania. Title and Registration say "Specialty Construction". Same rules as a Street Rod, all functioning equipment , including lights, horn, wiper, etc. They also do a safety check including brakes. The good thing is that once done, I have a standard registration and can get personal tags for it.
Just curious, what is this going to cost? Not to long ago, there was a 66 Shelby on here for sell that was built for Track that included a full Cage and I think it had a Title.
The main reason they have no VIN is because they had no emissions equipment. Here in CA to register it you'd have to pass today's smog regs (not the 2012/3 ones).
I've toyed with getting a cheap 71-3 Mustang and slapping the dash (w/VIN) and sheetmetal on my GT1 car. Similar to how they built Nascarlo. Or let someone buy it ($6,000) in a state without smog rules and they could just go the kit car route and have an 80" wide Roush looking TA streetcar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUefSKCjP8w
I have seen a NASCAR that was registered in Montana and was street driven. All he did was add lights and a horn
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on April 02, 2026, 02:45:57 PMThe main reason they have no VIN is because they had no emissions equipment. Here in CA to register it you'd have to pass today's smog regs (not the 2012/3 ones).
I've toyed with getting a cheap 71-3 Mustang and slapping the dash (w/VIN) and sheetmetal on my GT1 car. Similar to how they built Nascarlo. Or let someone buy it ($6,000) in a state without smog rules and they could just go the kit car route and have an 80" wide Roush looking TA streetcar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUefSKCjP8w
That would be quite a street terror!
Quote from: tesgt350 on April 02, 2026, 01:10:31 PMJust curious, what is this going to cost? Not to long ago, there was a 66 Shelby on here for sell that was built for Track that included a full Cage and I think it had a Title.
The car would need a few things, cost maybe $3,000 or more for washer bottle, exhaust, turn signals and perhaps a few other things required by the Secretary of State. Maybe more. That's my best estimate.
I already have the street car. Did a late night drive last night alone and no particular destination. Those are the best drives. Car number 356. Prior owner removed the silver stripes and opted for red. Throws people off not being able to decide if it's a Laguna Seca or not. Just the way I like it.