The 5 Coolest Shelby Ford Mustangs Ever Made

One of the most sought after muscle cars of all time is the Ford Shelby Mustang and its various incarnations created in the nearly 60-plus years since its inception, including the latest tuning addition to the line. Yet among muscle enthusiasts and big-block era lovers, there exists a passionate and seemingly unending debate as to what the best Shelby Mustangs of all time are.

Although several criteria can be used to further complicate this topic of discussion, there are a few models in the Shelby Mustang catalog which stand out from the pack. Here are the 5 models we think are the coolest of the bunch.

5

1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Fastback – The OG Go-Faster ‘Stang

​​​​​​A part of the first generation era of Ford Mustangs which started it all, the Shelby GT500 was one of the most powerful Mustangs made up to that point. The car came with a 428 cubic inch Police-Intercepter V8 engine equipped with two 4-barrel 600 CFM Holley carburetors and an aluminum mid-rise intake. Further adding to the vehicle’s speed was its construction, with several body parts being made of fiberglass. This included the front-end, hood, taillight panel, deck lid, quarter panel extension, and side scoops.

While its engine and construction practices are a definitive part of why it’s mentioned here, the overall aesthetic of the car must also be applauded. It’s not only one of the most beautiful cars of the era but of all time, and is the premiere choice of many motor enthusiasts when asked what their ideal image of a car is. While some are more partial to the 1968 GT500KR (King of the Road) edition for its increased power, others prefer the 1967 “base” version for its higher-riding hood scoops and overall more elongated front end.

4

2007 Shelby GT500 – A Legend Revived

Unsurprisingly, the revival of the Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 is also one of the best Shelby Mustangs ever produced. A large part of this stems from the revival’s approach to keeping the retro looks of the original GT500 intact, albeit with some updated aspects thanks to new industry standards and a better understanding of aerodynamics. Nevertheless, the car simply looks like a classic Mustang and is naturally appealing to those who idolize the original, which was almost certainly Ford’s philosophy in designing the vehicle.

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It’s also clear that classic Mustang fans were considered in the approach to the car’s speed. Powered by a full aluminum, 5.4 liter DOHC 32-valve V8 engine, fitted with an Easton R1222 Roots-type blower and air-to-liquid intercooler which adds 10 PSI to the intake system at peak boost, the car produces the kind of power that was mighty impressive in 2007.

3

2016 Shelby GT350 – Powered By Voodoo

One of the defining reasons why the 2016 GT350 Shelby Mustang deserves to be included here stems from the engine which powered it, colloquially known as the Voodoo. The Voodoo is a hand-built 5.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 which features a DOHC design which was specifically designed for the GT350 and the GT350R. The Voodoo’s main difference from the 5.2L Predator engine, which it shares many components with, is its flat plane crankshaft, which reduces overall engine weight while also allowing it to rev faster and higher.

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The engine also receives a distinct exhaust note relative to other American V8s as a result of this setup, further setting it apart from other options at the time.

The engine was also notable for the power it produced, peaking at 526 horsepower at 7,500rpm and 429 pound-feet of torque at 4,750rpm. Both the GT350 and GT350R strike a remarkable balance between being a fun daily driver and a track-ready car, giving longtime fans of the Mustang who were able to purchase one at the time the best of both worlds.

2

2013 Shelby GT500 Super Snake – Supercar-Beating Performance

Similarly to the aforementioned 2016 GT350, the 2013 Shelby GT500 Super Snake Mustang undoubtedly deserves entry if only for the massive amount of power it offers. The 2013 Super Snake was the result of collaboration between Ford Racing, Shelby American, and several other partners such as Barret-Jackson, which is where the vehicle’s release was first announced.

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The truly ridiculous amount of power is transferred adequately to the wheels, allowing the car to hit 0-60 in 3.5 seconds from a 2,500 rpm launch and a quarter mile to be completed in 11.7 seconds at just under 126mph. Ford also advertised the car with a top speed of 216 miles per hour. This made it one of the fastest Shelby Mustangs ever, and also gave prospective buyers a truly mouthwatering experience to waffle over when considering the $83,199 price for the base model.

1

2022 Shelby GT500 Code Red – The Most Powerful Ever

Although nearly impossible to obtain due to production being limited to just 10 per year, the 2022 Shelby GT500 Code Red is the culmination of what makes Shelby Mustangs so desirable. Whereas the stock 2022 GT500 comes with a roots-type supercharged 5.2 liter Predator V8, Shelby American’s Code Red edition ditches the supercharger for a twin-turbo system. Combined with other upgrades to engine construction, tuning, and performance, the vehicle’s final numbers are a peak output of over 1000 horsepower and 780 pound-feet of torque from 93-octane pump gas.

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Other enhancements include a widebody kit, new badging, a brand-new interior, and massive track-ready wheels. The vehicle also mimics the original Shelby Mustang in its contemporary rarity, with only 30 total having come from the 2020-2022 production years. Nevertheless, it’s one of the most impressive Shelby Mustangs ever produced, even if actually acquiring one is a Herculean task.