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One lucky man, Richard Banyai of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, never gave up on his journey in acquiring his precious 1970 BOSS 302. “When I was young, I heard there was a guy in my area that had a BOSS 302 for sale and before I could contact him, he sold it. I contacted the new owner and told him I would buy it, but as expected, it was not for sale. After a few years, I again heard of a BOSS 302 for sale. This time, I was told it was a “package deal”. There were three cars and one was the exact same BOSS 302 that I wanted years earlier. I couldn’t believe it”, says Banyai.
Since purchasing his BOSS 302, Banyai has totally disassembled the car and media blasted everything down to the bare metal. He made sure the body work and paint were done to his specifications. “I have rebuilt the motor, transmission, suspension, and brakes. I have also installed a factory console that I refurbished and a new dash, seat covers, electronic ignition, LED sequential brake and turn signals. When it came to the paint, I didn’t want a “show” paint job because I didn’t want a “trailer queen”. My car was rebuilt to be driven”, says Banyai. “I drive the car basically anywhere that I want to go. I have even taken it on the track for a track tour. I tell people if you see my car on a trailer, either I broke something or it has been stolen,” continued Banyai.
Banyai at the Ford Nationals in Carlsile, PA
Banyai’s BOSS 302, nicknamed “BOSTANG”, has been to local shows, national shows, club events, and cruises all along the east coast. “Part of me wants to get rid of it to buy a new BOSS 302, but it is such a blast to drive something that runs so well, especially for a forty-three year old car. The car was never built to be a show car but it has won a fair amount of trophies at shows over the years. I think I will keep driving it because that is why I got it”, says Banyai. This October will mark Banyai’s thirtieth year of owning his incredible 1970 BOSS 302 “BOSTANG”.
