Ford is looking to its past for inspiration. The original Boss 302 was a menace on the road and track, battling with the likes of Chevrolet and AMC in the Sports Car Club of America Trans-Am championship. The 2012 Mustang Boss 302 and Boss 302 Laguna Seca pay homage to the original, albeit with a thoroughly modern update when it comes to performance. Ford starts with a snarling 440-bhp 5.0-liter V-8 engine, coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission. The wild bodywork and retro themed touches — like adjustable dampers that require a screwdriver to adjust — should appease devotees of the original Boss, while also earning this mega-Mustang a new generation of fans. The car has been lowered slightly and the suspension upgraded to match the engine performance. That short-throw 6-speed manual should be fantastic on the track, or on your weekend drive. For the truly brave, the traction and stability-control systems can be turned completely off. And if that's not wild enough, the limited-edition Laguna Seca version ditches the rear seat (to save weight) and adopts an even more track-oriented exterior.