BC VANCOUVER Brown Bros Ford Lincoln(1946)

Story and photographs copyright D. S. Brown. The logo above is circa 1980s to early 1990s back when the dealer name didn't include Lincoln. Brown Bros Ford began in 1946 in Vancouver, BC at a major intersection: Granville and 41st Avenue. In 1971 expansion motivated a move to 5605 West Blvd at 42nd Avenue, right on the main artery running through Kerrisdale. 1987 saw further expansion and a move to the current location on 270 SE Marine. This large dealer is still family owned and operated.

The Brown Brothers location down on 270 South East Marine in Vancouver, BC has rows of Lincolns and pickups. Right in the middle of the crowd sits a line of Mustangs. The two with most visual impact sit side by side: a Grabber Blue Metallic Mustang GT and a Yellow Blaze Metallic Tri coat 302 Boss.

The new 2012 302 Boss was introduced in Spring, 2011. The $48,199 (MSRP) 2012 Boss fits between the $38,699 (MSRP) GT and the $58,999 (MSRP) Shelby GT500 in terms of price and horsepower, but it isn't really a middle step so much as a sidestep. Like the original racer inspired Boss 302 its engine revs like crazy with all the horsepower up top, while the GT is more street oriented, packing slightly more torque. In keeping with its race ready image, the new Boss is the best handling factory Mustang of all time according to the Ford tech people.   

: For the sharp eyed who spotted the 'used' plate on this Boss, yes, this is a used car with 100 miles on the odometer. Imagine buying a 100 mile Boss back in 1970.... Assuming my site will still be up and running 30 years from now, all the future collectors will want to know the VIN which is as follows: 1ZVBP8CU1C5203047.

First three digits tell us this is an 'Automotive Alliance International Ford passenger car'. Digits four to eight mean 'B' active belts and airbags, 'P4' is the usual Mustang code, but since this is a special edition, 'P8C' means Boss Mustang. 'U' is the 302 engine. Ninth digit is a check digit. Tenth digit 'C' means 2012. Eleventh digit '5' indicates the Flat Rock, Michigan factory. 203,047 is the sequential number.

The window sticker tells us that this car was shipped out Feb 21, 2011 by rail with the usual Boss 302 MSRP of 40,145.00 US dollars. The Yellow Blaze Metallic paint added $495.00 to the tab. Recaro sport seats and Helical Diff added $1,995.00. Boss package car cover was $495.00. Adding $850.00 delivery takes the total to $43,960.00 US funds. Used condition drops the price from $58,991 Canadian to $49,998.00 Canadian- close to where a non optioned base 302 is priced before the delivery fee and options kick in.

This one has a Char Black cloth interior with a back seat. The Laguna Seca editions of the 2012 Boss 302s have no backseat (it's been awhile since the 1965 Shelby GT350 which also had no backseat). The 2012 Laguna Seca has an X brace for improved handling instead of a seat. The Laguna is basically a track ready car. But even the basic Boss is a capable performer. This Boss 302 has a six speed, a tach redlined for 7,500 RPM, and Recaro front seats.

The west side of the Brown Brothers lot is seen here from the side street up above on the Superstore parkade which sits a block back from Marine.