One of the best prescriptions for success in this world is maintaining an optimum balance between work and play, and it turns out that this advice extends to automakers, too. Just ask the folks at Ford, recently honored by Cars.com for both the Best Work Truck of 2012 and the Best Play Car of 2012: The Ford F-150 and Ford Mustang Boss 302.

Right off the bat, the website says the former is “still the truck of choice for tradesmen, farmers, laborers and anyone with a job to do or a trailer to tow,” while also noting that the F-150 offers much more than superior utility and “comes in a staggering array of cab and bed sizes, with many engine and driveline choices, and in trim levels starting with a bare-bones work truck and climbing to a level of richness that rivals luxury sedans.”

And as Cars.com also notes, the F-150 is available with Ford’s groundbreaking EcoBoost technology. In fact, the company sold about 100,000 EcoBoost-powered F-150s last year, providing customers with 420 lb.-ft. of torque—more than available in any other rival’s premium V8—as well as best-in-class max tow and payload ratings of 11,300 lbs. and 3,060 lbs., respectively, and 365 hp.

Then there’s the car “that set off a frenzy in the Cars.com offices,” the Boss 302. With a dynamic 444-hp 5.0-liter V8 engine, a short-throw six-speed manual transmission, upgraded suspension with adjustable shocks, struts and steering system, and available Recaro sport seats, the Boss comes fresh from the factory with everything a driver needs to dominate during track days.

Yet at the same time, Cars.com reports that “you still get all of the cabin refinement of the regular Mustang,” while “the Boss 302 doesn’t make you pay a big price when it comes to everyday driving.” That’s because the price of admission to this spectacular attraction is a relatively practical $40,310.

The 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 is kicking off the new year the same way it ended the last—by kicking the competition to the curb: The automaker’s CEO—Chief Excitement Object—recently received a Popular Mechanics Auto Excellence Award as the top 2012 choice in the performance car category. And why not, when writers for the prestigious publication reported that, “The 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 is the kind of fully realized, perfectly crafted performance car that comes along only once a decade.”

Such perfection didn’t happen by accident, either.

“The team at Ford wanted to offer their fellow Mustang enthusiasts something really special—a beautifully balanced factory-built race car that they could drive on the street,” explains Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “The Boss 302 isn’t something a Mustang GT owner can buy all the parts for out of a catalog or that a tuner can get by adding a chip. This is a front-to-back re-engineered Mustang with every system designed to make a good driver great and a great driver even better.”

This includes:

• The Boss’ high-powered powertrain, which leverages an advanced V8 engine capable of 444 hp and 380 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a short-throw, close-ratio six-speed manual transmission that engages via a race-inspired clutch.
• A sophisticated suspension that the driver can easily tune for optimum performance on the track or on the road, with multiple settings for the car’s traction control and electronic stability control systems, adjustable dampers and shocks, and speed-sensitive electronic steering setup.
• Stopping power that comes courtesy of Brembo four-piston calipers putting the squeeze on 14-inch rotors up front, and unique, Boss-specific hi-po brake pads at the rear.

Plus, as Popular Mechanics points out, the Boss is one Auto Excellence winner that’s also an excellent value, showcasing an MSRP of $40,310 while still being able to outrun cars that cost twice that much.

The 2012 Mustang Boss 302 is available now—in limited quantities—at Ford dealerships across the country.

The 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible was a true classic, showcasing the first major upgrade of the first-generation ’Stang that took the world by storm: After selling more than 1 million Mustangs in its first 18 months of production, Ford debuted all-new sheet metal on its sports car icon for 1967, as well as a fresh interior and engine choices that included a 427-cubic-inch V8 capable of 390 hp. Simply put, the 1967 Mustang is the kind of car they just don’t build anymore—but you can.

That’s because the Blue Oval has now added new body shells of the car, created by the same company that did the originals back in ’67, to its list of official Ford Restoration Parts. It’s one of four different classic Mustang bodies available and joins the 1965 convertible, 1967 fastback and 1969 fastback.

The new bodies aren’t quite exact replicas of the ones from the late 1960s, though—they’re even better: The panels in are made from today’s automotive-grade virgin steel, which is slightly thicker than it was back in the day, and the pieces are put together using modern welding techniques, and feature newly engineered structural reinforcing that adds strength and rigidity to the body. Needless to say they also meet or exceed the fit, finish and overall quality benchmarks of the originals, as is the case with the entire lineup of Ford Restoration parts.

The result? Whether you’re looking to remain faithful to the original or go the “resto-mod” route to create your own version of the classic, the new shells will have you covered.

“Some minor panel adjustment and alignment still has to be done, but the body comes rustproofed and primed and is otherwise ready for painting and assembly,” said Dennis Mondrach, Ford Restoration Parts licensing manager. “The new ’67 convertible body shell gives restorers a super-solid foundation on which to build their dream pony car.”

The re-incarnated 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible body shell is priced from $15,995, and it’s available now from www.FordRestorationParts.com.

It turns out that some of Ford’s best thinking can actually be found inside the box: Especially when that box holds one of the new high-quality crate engines being offered this year by Ford Racing Performance Parts (FRPP). The latest mighty mills add to one of the most comprehensive aftermarket engine programs in the industry, featuring a lineup of high-quality crate engines designed to offer factory-fresh power upgrades for a wide range of applications—and budgets.

New blocks for the kids—and anyone else looking for Ford-engineered power plants—include:

Z363 500 HP Pushrod Crate Engine—Leveraging the same block that drives the Mustang Boss 302, this big V8 has been bored out to 4.125 inches and now rocks 363 cubic inches of displacement, 500 hp and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s an increase of 16 cubic inches, 50 hp and 50 lb.-ft. of torque as compared to the engine it replaces. The Z363 has been engineered for both street and strip use, with a forged crankshaft, aluminum heads, forged I-beam connecting rods, new Mahle pistons, floating piston pins and a hi-po oiling system.

5.0L Ti-VCT Aluminator—FRPP also is introducing a new pair of V8 engines for its growing “Aluminator” family. Both build on the strong foundation of the Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter powerplant, featuring twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT). But they’ve now been tuned for increased performance in both naturally aspirated and forced-induction applications. For the former, the engine runs on an 11.0:1 compression ratio and relies on components like Mahle forged pistons that are hard-anodized with a unique low-friction coating, as well as Manley H-beam connecting rods with ARP 2000 bolts and Boss 302 high-performance bearings. Drivers who prefer supercharged power can choose the “SC” version, with a 9.5:1 compression ratio and components optimized for forced-induction.

5.0L Ti-VCT Coyote “Sealed” Racing Engine—It’s the same 412 hp “Coyote” V8 found in the 2012 Ford Mustang GT, but its internal components have been “sealed” to prevent changes and qualify for spec racing series like the National Mustang Racer’s Association “Coyote Stock” class.

2.0-Liter I4 Crate Engine Concept—With more and more drivers flocking to new Ford products using the automaker’s 2.0-liter I4 engines, the company is preparing to cater to their need for speed, too. The first step was the recent introduction of a naturally aspirated I4 “Crate Engine Concept” that sets the tone for future four-cylinder power plants. This new engine is an enhanced version of the direct-injection I4 with Ti-VCT that’s used in the Ford Focus, and it makes an estimated 160-175 hp and 145-155 lb.-ft. of torque. A wide range of production I4 crate engines are on their way as well, including some with Ford’s EcoBoost technology. According to the automaker: “The new four-cylinder lineup will form the widest range of production-based crate engines since the debut of FRPP’s successful 5.0 V8 crate engine program.”

For more information on engines designed to meet your crate expectations, contact Ford Racing Performance Parts at 1-800-FORD-788 (1-800-367-3788) or visit www.FordRacingParts.com.

Ford’s industry-leading engine technologies gained more fans recently, when the noted experts at Ward’s Auto named two different Blue Oval power plants to their roster of “Best Engines” for 2012.

This included the Ford Edge’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost I4, which displayed both an “uncanny ability to motivate the Edge” and fuel economy that “deserves plaudits in this segment.” The specs here put an exclamation point on those comments, as the engine’s direct injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) combine to deliver 240 hp, 270 lb.-ft. of torque and an EPA line of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/24 mpg.

“Fuel efficiency is important to our customers,” said Amy Marentic, Ford’s group marketing manager, Large Cars and Crossovers. “Adding the EcoBoost engine to the new Ford Edge crossover makes for 13 vehicles delivering 30 mpg or more in the Ford showroom.”

And remember, the same award-winning 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine also is available beneath the hood of the Ford Explorer, where it returns a class-leading 28 mpg highway, to go with ratings of 20 mpg city/23 mpg highway.

Also joining the “Best Engines” list—for the second straight year—is the big-time 5.0-liter V8 leveraged by the Ford Mustang Boss 302. Building on what was already the automaker’s most powerful naturally aspirated production V8 (when used in the Mustang GT), the engine in the Boss 302 has been retuned to reach 440 hp and 380 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s courtesy of enhancements that include a revised intake, CNC-machined heads, a lightened valve train and a strengthened reciprocating assembly.

Ford Dealers Grand Rapids said the result is a power plant that helps the 2012 Boss serve as the perfect homage to its classic 1969 predecessor.

“In keeping with the spirit of the original, the new Boss 302 engine achieves its maximum power output at speeds at or above 7,500 rpm,” Mike Harrison, Ford V8 engine program manager “Unlike the original engine, however, low-speed torque and drivability are uncompromised thanks to twin independent variable camshaft timing technology and computer-aided engineering design tools.”

Consider it another way Ford’s under-the-hood innovations provide big advantages over the competition.

The annual Car & Driver “10Best Cars” list is one of the industry’s most prestigious honors, and this year, Ford has two of them: The Ford Focus and Ford Mustang GT/Boss 302 both made the roster, showcasing two distinct sides of the Blue Oval driving experience.

The Focus puts the emphasis on fuel efficiency, with the ability to reach up to 40 mpg on the highway, yet without sacrificing any of its surprisingly fun-to-drive attitude. In fact, according to C&D, the Focus offers “several unexpected combinations: a sensational ride-handling balance, an admirable power/mpg index, and fantastic materials and utility inside.”

Further, not only was the Focus lauded for having one of the best front-wheel-drive chassis on the market, but C&D editors noted that drivers were fully capable of getting the most out of that chassis: “The Focus [can] get around many more expensive, more powerful, more overtly sporty cars on a twisting stretch.” C&D’s ideal choice: “We recommend the Focus SE with the slick manual transmission and the SE Sport package. It’s the sweet spot of the Focus lineup and a staggering bit of sweet science.”

Regarding the Boss 302, built off the strong foundation of the Mustang GT, well, it didn’t get its name by accident: “Nothing can touch the Boss at $41,105. With its screaming 7500-rpm, 444-hp, 5.0-liter V-8, it’ll rip off 60 mph in four seconds flat, break the quarter-mile in 12.4 seconds at 117 mph, stop from 70 in 155 feet, and hold the road at 0.95 g.” As C&D editors point out, that kind of performance puts the Boss 302 on the same footing as the BMW M3 coupe—at a price that’s nearly $21,000 lower. And the Mustang GT itself garnered kudos as well, with editors calling it “an astounding instrument in its own right.”

Ford’s latest prize-winning pair of vehicles is available at dealerships now.

What do you get when you plant the world’s most powerful production V8 beneath the hood of the thoroughly revised 2013 Ford Shelby GT500? None other than the fastest, most powerful production Mustang ever offered, capable of 650 hp, 650 lb.-ft. of torque and an eye-popping top speed in excess of 200 mph.

And that’s just for starters.

“It might just seem like we’re putting a bigger engine into the car. But it’s been a balanced approach through and through,” said Jamal Hameedi, Ford SVT chief engineer. “We’ve completely redone the car to be even more sophisticated in terms of handling and control than the prior model.”

This includes putting the new Shelby GT500 through a comprehensive wind-tunnel workout to improve aerodynamics. Thus, the front fascia and splitters were reshaped to keep the car firmly on its feet in even the most demanding driving scenarios. As just one example of this, engineers were able to dial in 33 percent more effective aero loading at a speed of 160 mph, while other efforts to make the Shelby GT500 more slippery also resulted in more downforce, less drag and improved cooling.

Driving dynamics have been improved as well, with all relevant systems retuned to handle the GT500’s new power-up. Then, to help drivers stretch the envelope even further, many of those systems’ settings can be fine-tuned for optimal performance.

“We took a completely different approach with this car so drivers can choose their settings instead of a computer making the selection,” Hameedi said. “Nearly every system the driver interacts with can be tailored to his or her situation including the Bilstein electronic adjustable suspension, launch control, AdvanceTrac and steering assist levels.”

And speaking of launch control, the new system for the ’13 Shelby GT500 now allows drivers to calibrate launch rpm based on tire temperature, road surface and other conditions. Launch control on the car remains integrated with both engine and traction control, providing yet another exclusive advantage.

A more powerful standard Brembo braking system also has been added to the spec sheet, featuring larger front and rear rotors, new six-piston front calipers and more robust brake pads, while the GT500’s options list has been expanded with two fresh hardware packages.

The GT500 Performance Package includes both a Torsen limited-slip differential for enhanced traction along with SVT-designed Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers that can be adjusted for either maximum performance or more comfortable everyday driving. In addition, to wring every ounce of capability out of the GT500, a new Track Package is available with an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and transmission cooler.

Of course, the heart of the matter here is, in fact, the extensive upgrade given to the powertrain of the 2013 Shelby GT500. The engine itself benefits from new cross-drilled heads and engine block, updated camshaft profiles, and a larger, more efficient supercharger. This new unit was designed specifically for the GT500 and boasts a larger cooling fan, a new fan shroud with high-speed pressure relief doors, a more efficient air cooler, a higher-flow intercooler pump and a higher-volume intercooler heat exchanger.

“SVT keeps the Shelby GT500 on the cutting edge of technology and takes muscle car performance to new heights,” said Jost Capito, director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development. “We encapsulated every aspect of performance in this car – whether it’s 0-60, top speed, racetrack or quarter-mile times. Beyond that, the daily driver also will find this car perfectly fits his or her needs.”

The annual Automobile Magazine All-Star awards are among the top prizes in the industry, given only to vehicles that “stand above the crowd” to offer true “greatness” in their segments. And while the 2012 list, as expected, includes names like Ferrari, Porsche, Audi and Land Rover, the only brand to earn two separate awards this year was Ford.

The Focus was Automobile Magazine’s Automobile of the Year in 2000 and was named to the All-Star list four times in its previous generation. This year, “Ford hit another home run with the all-new 2012 Focus,” according to Automobile Magazine’s Rusty Blackwell. Blackwell also praised “the car’s impeccable ride-and-handling balance, flexible powertrain, comfortable seats, and abundant available luxury features.”

As for the other Ford All-Star, the story is short but sweet: “The Boss 302 is the best Mustang ever,” according Automobile writer Preston Lerner.

“But that’s merely a footnote to the real story,” he added. “The big news is that Ford’s newest bad boy not only puts an epic whupping on its traditional rivals—we’re talking to you, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger—but also stands tall against perennial bullies like the BMW M3.”

The Boss’ newfound notoriety is earned honestly, too, thanks to whupping enhancers like:

• Its own unique 5.0-liter V8, packed with cutting-edge technology and 444 hp
• A short-throw, close-ratio six-speed manual transmission
• Suspension upgrades including firmer coil springs and suspension bushings, a larger-diameter rear stabilizer bar, and manually adjustable shocks and struts
• Pirelli P Zero summer tires wrapped around lightweight 19-inch alloy racing wheels
• 14-inch vented front brake rotors with Brembo four-piston calipers and rear brakes upgraded with a high-performance pad compound designed specifically for the Boss
• A limited-slip 3.73-ratio rear axle with carbon-fiber clutch plates

Ready to add one of these All-Stars to your team? Just visit your local Ford dealership, where both are on sale now.

Mustang restorers hoping for new replacement body parts for the 1964.5 through 1966 convertible have had their wish granted. The body shell, doors and fenders are made using virgin steel of a higher grade than the original parts and are made with modern welding techniques, rustproofed and ready to paint.

According to Ford Dealers Houston, the Mustang Convertible body shell joins two other body shells available to restorers, the 1967-68 and the 1969-70 fastback bodies. The ’65 Convertible body shell starts at $15,000 and includes the doors and trunk lid. Hood and front fenders are sold separately. More information Ford-approved Mustang restoration parts can be found on the Ford Restoration Parts website.

Eleven years ago, Ford designer Melvin Betancourt was diagnosed with an “aortic dissection,” a serious heart problem that, if undetected, could lead to sudden death.

“The doctors said I could have been straining myself and the aorta could have just popped, or I could have just gone to sleep and never woke up,” according to Betancourt.

Instead, thanks to a high-risk surgical procedure at the Henry Ford Hospital in metro Detroit, Betancourt was soon back on his feet helping design a new generation of Ford vehicles – and biding his time for the right opportunity to give back. That opportunity came in October, when a one-of-a-kind Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca, customized by Betancourt specifically for the event, raised an impressive $300,000 at an auction to support cardiovascular care, research and education at the Henry Ford Health System.

Betancourt’s choice of car was no off-the-cuff decision, either: “Everybody knows the School Bus Yellow Boss 302 that Parnelli Jones drove to victory in the 1970 Trans-Am Championship, so we decided to pay homage to that vehicle and do a modern version of the 1970 Mustang that he drove,” he said.

Further, in addition to Betancourt’s own meticulous work on the car – he even hand-painted the black “Laguna Seca” graphics on the car, including the eye-catching hockey-stick stripes on the vehicle’s sides, Parnelli Jones’ No. 15 on the doors, and Jones’ name on the side rails – the legendary driver got in on the action himself, too, by autographing the car during the auction.

It was all part of the “Get Your Heart Racing” charity event, which was a combined effort from both Fords and was held at the automaker’s seldom-open-to-the-public Dearborn Development Center. Ford Olathe said that other unique experiences up for grabs at the charity auction included a pair of tickets to see the American Idol finale in April and a “Ford Championship Weekend VIP Experience” that will encompass three separate races, a chance to meet Ford drivers and a personal tour of the garage and pit areas.

And speaking of Ford drivers, one of them – Tanner Foust, a two-time Formula Drift champ for Ford and the host of Top Gear USA – was on hand at the auction to pilot three lucky guests, chosen from a random drawing, on the ride of their lives on the Development Center test track.

NC Ford Dealerships point out that all proceeds from the event went to the Edith and Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and the Center for Cardiac Care at Henry Ford Wyandotte (Mich.) Hospital.