A True “One of One”
The 1969 "G" Code Boss 302 Shelby GT 350 9F02G482244 with the order number
of 9999 – an internal Ford special order code. This was the pilot prototype for the year
1970, ordered April 21, 1969, three days after the Boss 302's went into production.
At that time #G111 was the program for a trans-am addition Boss 302 GT 350. However,
the program was cancelled less than two weeks after this car "G48" was built, due to
Carroll Shelby resigning from Ford Motor Company. There was a conflict between then
president of Ford, Bunkie Knudsen and Carroll Shelby. In 2008 Carroll Shelby stated in
a 34-minute phone conversation with "G48’s" present owner that when Shelby left Ford,
any or all programs with his name on it were vested with him. Shelby also stated he
spent very little time at Ford and was there by name only. Ford had five managers
assigned to Shelby programs. Carroll spoke about those directors of his program at Ford
and had nothing good to say about any of them with the exception of Fred Goodell,
he said "he was a straight shooter," His reason for leaving Ford was Bunkie Knudsen’s
"The Boss" program. This is a direct quote from Shelby to the present owner: "Bunkie
hated my God Damn guts and he was about to fire me because Ford didn't need any in
house competition. And the Boss program was Bunkie's baby and I knew that I would
loose so I resigned taking my name with me so that would have ended the program on
your car.” (the Boss-Shelby)
In 2014 Ford Motor Company stated to the present owner that this car was in fact the last
program with Shelby and Ford and invited the Boss-Shelby to be included in an exclusive
15-prototype show for the employees at the Ford Motor Company Headquarters in
Dearborn.
Shelby/Ford intended to build 200 of the Boss GT 350's for the 1970 model year. In
early 1969, Shelby was racing two Boss 302 trans-am mustangs, both cars were totaled in
a crash.
What’s unique about this car, is that it was ordered three days after the Boss 302's went
into production April 19, 1969. G48 was ordered April 21, 1969. The production order
number is one of a kind – 9999 - a very significant number. Ford Motor Company stated
to the owner that only three or four members at the top of Ford would have had access to
that special order number. Shelby did not have access to that number. Ford Motor
Company confirmed that Edsel Ford II or Bunkie Knudsen would have been two of the
possible executives that had access to that number, and to place this order. It very well
could have been a present to Carroll Shelby since he was racing the Boss 302 Shelby
team cars.
After G48 was ordered, April 21, 1969 the car was completed on May 6, fifteen days
after it was ordered. The delay in the build was to wait for the Shelby VIN 2244 sequence
number to be available. Ford stated that the number ending in 44 was an in-house code
for a project car, as in the 1967 Shelby GT 500 Super Snake. Its VIN is 0544. The Super
Snake has been named one of one. However, its VIN number 67402F4A00544, is one of
2048 1967 GT 500's built. There is nothing in the VIN that states otherwise.
That GT 500 was pulled aside and modified with a 427 Holman Moody race motor and
used in a 500-mile tire test. The Super Snake has a significant history. Another special
project was the 1970 Quarter Horse, a composite car program with a Z Code Boss 429
engine. There were only two Quarter Horse Mustangs were built out of 500 Boss 429's
built. The VIN 0F02Z104687 does not identify or single out that only two were built.
The '69 Boss 302 Shelby is significantly different having the one and only VIN
(9F02G482244) and five other one-of-one configurations.
1- The only '69 Shelby with these paint and trim codes.
2- The only one with this engine and transmission code.
3- The only one with single key entry lock system that was for law enforcement only.
4- The only '69 Shelby without power steering.
5- The only Shelby with the DSO order number of 9999.
The 1969 G Code Boss 302 Shelby has been indorsed, in writing, by Carroll Shelby, Ford
Motor Company, Edsel B. Ford II, and yes, even Marty Auto Works as the only 1969
Shelby built with a Boss 302 engine. All 1967, 1968, and 1969 Shelby's that were
manufactured by Ford Motor Company had the status number of X999. "G48" was
BX999 signifying that it was to be built as a Shelby but with a Boss 302 drive train as
stated on the build sheet with an 84 DSO home office reserve number. It was a Boss 302
with a Shelby VIN.
"G48" was not invoiced under the VIN 9F02G482244 and was not intended to be sold.
An executive design engineer that worked on the 1968 and 1969 Shelby design line was
able to apply for an invoice under VIN 9F02G582244 from Ford Motor Company. Then,
he could receive a title from Ray Whitfield Ford in Livonia, Michigan. This was to keep
the car under Ford's radar so it did not show up as a 1969 Shelby. The car was purchased
from Ford under the VIN of 9F02G582244 for $1750.00 and was titled
for fifteen years in that family’s name under VIN G582244. When resold, the second
owner had the number changed back to its original VIN as 48.
