When it comes to cars, we usually fall hard for a specific model. That is definitely the case for Virginians Paul and Theresa Johnson. They love cars, but they are particularly passionate about the Boss 302 Mustang.
“I have Boss 302 die-cast, banners, posters, models, slot cars and I think every book ever written,” Paul explained. “My wife says if someone wrote Boss 302 on a piece of paper, I’d probably buy it.”
That’s dedication to the brand!
The businessman, who retired a year and a half ago, cut his teeth watching his older brother work on his ’55 and ’57 Fords.
“My brother bought a new 1964 Fairlane and of course it ended up on the drag strip. So because of him I paid the price on what I could drive” he explained. “While I was in high school, Dad would find a car and I had to buy and drive it. Of course, a six-cylinder was the biggest engine I could get. When the Mustang arrived and I was hooked. It was my first love until 1968. That was when I met my wife so the Mustang slipped to second place.”
Soon after graduation and military duty in Southeast Asia, Paul returned in 1971 and saw a yellow 1970 Boss 302 at a Ford dealer. “I had to have it, it was the Mustang I had been waiting for all my life,” Paul said. “I was 21 and still living at home and all my Father could say was ‘cop magnet.'”
“My girlfriend and I were working full time and she had bought a 1970 Maverick, a good, reliable, economical car. Ultimately we decided to get married and knew we couldn’t afford two car payments so I did the responsible thing and we sold the Maverick” Paul recalled with undoubtedly a sly grin.
The Boss of course took them on their honeymoon. As most lives go, a house and eventually sons Erik and Tim would force the Johnsons from Boss ownership to Pintos and Fairmonts for a few years, but the love of the Boss never waned.
The Track Calls
Now with a few more years behind him and a few fast miles under his belt, Paul has made up for lost time with an impressive paddock of Ford iron including a highly optioned W-code ’70 Boss 302, a G-code Boss 302 1970 vintage racer claiming an I.C.S.C.C. win in 1972, and for a more modern road-course feel, a 2012 Boss 302 Laguna Seca for track use, which he campaigns at Laguna Seca raceway in Salinas, California.
“Back in the day we had passion for our cars and were very brand-loyal,” Paul said.
To that end, the Paul’s Blue Oval commitment continues with a 2014 Hertz Penske Mustang GT, one of 150 built, a ’99 Ford SVT Lightning with a supercharged 5.4-liter, and to satisfy his early roots, the recent purchase of a ’67 Ford Fairlane XL 390 with three deuces and four-speed.
The Johnsons say they would a like to add a ’69 Boss 302 and a 2013 Boss 302 Laguna Seca, and if possible, a Boss 429 to complete the family. However, they were clear, that they collect for love, not money.
“Buy classic cars for the love of them, not as an investment,” Paul said. “New cars have more horsepower, stop better, handle better, ride better, and do everything better except one thing — draw attention.”
With this many thoroughbreds in the stable, he should know.
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