Drag Pack
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Drag Pack was Ford's marketing name for an option package that included a remote mounted oil cooler & higher ratio rear axle gear (plus engine components on some models). This option is printed on the factory invoice as Drag Pack, Super Drag Pack, Drag Pak, or Super Drag Pak (the spelling "Pak" was used by the Lincoln/Mercury division of Ford). The ONLY known exception is a factory equipped Boss 302 Mustang with the Drag Pack option, which was not marketed by Ford as such, or by any other name. The rarity of having a bonafide factory installed option on a car (without showing up on an invoice), makes a Drag Pack equipped BOSS 302 Mustang the rarest of all Drag Packs, and possibly the most valuable!
At the start of the 1970 model year, Ford began installing the Drag Pack on approximately 10% of BOSS 302 Mustangs. For those in the know, this free Drag Pack option upgrade was triggered simply by ordering a 4.30 rear axle ratio. The only known exceptions are two early production vehicles with 3.91 axle ratio (special factory orders which received the oil cooler), and two 4.30 axle ratio vehicles (which reportedly did not receive their intended oil cooler – possibly the result of a supply problem). The 4.30 axle ratio exceptions are insignificant in terms of establishing a meaningful pattern, as they represent a normal (1970) production line margin of error.
Donald Farr’s book, Mustang BOSS 302, is considered to be the bible of Boss 302 Mustangs. To quote the BOSS 302 Registry’s “Buying a BOSS 302” section regarding this book, ”Considered the "bible" on the BOSS 302, it tells the whole story from beginning to end. It's just a fact this book is the best ...” On page 78 of his book, Donald Farr writes, "One engine performance option remained a mystery since Ford failed to publish any information about its availability, although many cars were so equipped. The engine oil cooler, a known Drag Pack option for the 428 Cobra Jet, was frequently found on Boss 302 Mustangs although listed as not available for the Boss 302 in Ford literature. However, it appears that many Boss 302s were factory equipped with a Drag Pack option." There is a picture in the upper right, with the caption: “Oil cooler was a rare Drag Pack option for the BOSS 302.”
Ford Muscle Parts printed a soft cover booklet (© 1970) titled “boss 302 ENGINE MODIFICATION for strip track”. This booklet gives documented proof that Ford supported DRAG RACING the BOSS 302 Mustang. From its introduction: “This booklet has been prepared to help you prepare your Boss 302 engine to compete in road racing and drag strip events.” The 4.30 axle ratio combined with BOSS 302’s high revving engine were the only way to go at the drag strip. Just one more reason why it’s hard to argue with 35 years of history, where Ford lovers from around the world have always recognized the ultra-rare factory oil cooled BOSS 302 Mustang as a true Drag Pack!
