VASTLY overrated reputation. Did not perform much better than the 428, at least on the street. Did not excel in NHRA classes, stock or superstock.
I knew 2 guys in Lansing with 428s, one in a Fairlane, one in a Mustang. Fairlane beat the Mustang by 2-4 lengths every time they ran. So the Mustang guy buys a 429 Mustang & wants to race me. I told him if he could beat his buddy he could try me. So they ran several times....yup, the Fairlane by 2-4 every time. He never got to run me, not that it woulda done any good.
Oh, if you have the time, check out Jay Leno's garage online. He has a buttload of videos, with great info on some of his, and other's, cars, including a lot of engine info. There are some REAL pinnacles of automotive excellence there.
You do realize that motor was highly detuned for the street cars right? The only reason it ever got into a street car at all was NASCAR’s rule about what constituted a production engine.
Actually the Boss 351 was the quicker of the two when you get right down to it. But open the hood on a 428 car, a Boss 351 or the Boss 429 and guess which all eyeballs shoot to?
OK, I’ll admit ‘pinnacle’ was hyperbole. But you must admit it was a pretty unique and impressive machine.