For many people, it’s a good thing when the boss leaves. If their manager is overbearing, they can relax a little. If the head honcho is a micro-manager, they can probably get more work done with them gone. But to Ford Mustang fans, the Boss’s departure in the 1970s left a void. They awaited its return until 2012, when the Boss came back from a ridiculously long hiatus. Unfortunately, the Boss didn’t stay for long. Today’s AutoHunter Spotlight, a 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 with the Laguna Seca performance package, comes from the final production year of the second-generation model.
The Boss returned in S197 form not only with more power, but better performance all around. Ford’s powertrain engineers enhanced the Coyote 5.0-liter V8 with forged aluminum pistons, upgraded connecting rods, a unique intake manifold, and revised oil pan baffling, boosting output from 412 to 444 horsepower (although torque dipped from 390 to 380 lb-ft). They paired that high-output 302 with staggered-width 19-inch wheels, a six-speed manual gearbox, a quad exhaust system (two side and two rear outlets), and a 3.73 limited-slip differential. Of course, Ford’s in-house performance enthusiasts beefed up the Boss’s suspension and brakes so they could make the most of its extra power, swapping out the regular hardware for adjustable shocks and struts with five settings, a 25-mm rear stabilizer bar, 14-inch Brembo front rotors with four-piston calipers, and 11.8-inch rear discs with high-performance pads.
The available Laguna Seca package took things up a notch with a front splitter, front brake cooling ducts, wider rear wheels, more aggressive rubber, unique rear springs, a larger stabilizer bar, and more. In the pursuit of higher performance and lower lap times, Ford deleted the rear seat and replaced it with an X-brace. The Laguna Seca treatment was easy to spot because it also included a red grille surround, mirror caps, roof, and rear spoiler.
Was the Boss’s return worth the wait? Car and Driver thought so. One of the publication’s writers stated, “As automotive resurrections go, this is a knockout that venerates the original Boss while embarrassing it objectively and subjectively in every meaningful measure. What this is, is the best Mustang ever.”
This 2013 Boss 302 has those same performance enhancements as well as the unique front and rear springs and cosmetic changes that Ford incorporated for the model year. Whereas the 2012 Boss came with 1969-inspired “C” side stripes, Ford added 1970 Boss 302-inspired hood striping and changed the side graphics to hockey stick-style stripes for 2013. The Laguna Seca package was largely the same, although the red accents were dropped in favor of reflective Sterling Gray hood and side stripes, mirror caps, and rear spoiler.
There are even more Boss 302-specific features in the cockpit of this focused machine. The main touchpoints are an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel and a black cue ball-style shift knob. The special gauge cluster is surrounded by dark aluminum dash trim. Charcoal Black cloth front bucket seats with gray “BOSS 302” embroidery keep passengers in place on the road and road course.
Judging by the 5,690 miles on the odometer, this Boss hasn’t left the office and gotten out much. If you want to let it loose on the highway or your favorite motorsports park, place the winning bid for it and you’ll never have to worry about the Boss returning because it’ll be in your garage every night. Get your bid in now; the auction for this 5K-mile 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca ends on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 11:15 a.m. (MST).
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery