What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the name “Mustang?” For many of us, it's performance, power, and speed. For more than half the century, Mustangs were always about bringing the exciting performance to the average buyer and chasing those expensive sports cars on the back streets. Although Ford always emphasizes on the 0-60 mph times, there are more than a few Mustangs with respectable, even astonishing top speeds.
Today, we will tell you about those cars, Mustangs that can go so fast that you will lose your license for a lifetime. Mustangs that can catch Porsches and pony cars which can hold their own against Ferraris on the race track. We present to you 15 fastest Mustangs ever produced.
15 Ford Mustang Cobra R (2000) – 170 MPH
Twenty years old, the Cobra R is still a fantastic and highly desirable machine. With its unique body kit, high-revving V8, and 385 hp, it was one of the fastest muscle cars of its era. The 0 to 60 mph dash took 4.7 seconds, and its top speed was a very respectable 170 mph.
14 Shelby GT500 Super Snake (1967) – 170 MPH
The one-off 1967 Shelby Super Snake featured race-spec engine, special differential ratio, and prototype tires from Goodyear. It was used for top speed testing, and limited production was planned, but eventually, those plans were dropped due to the enormous cost of the project.
13 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra (2003) – 155 MPH
The 2003/4 SVT Cobra was a big step forward for Mustang breed in terms of technology and power. However, the top speed was electronically limited to 155 mph. Those who dared to remove the limiter reported that Cobras could reach 177 mph flat out.
12 Shelby GT350 R (2019) – 180 MPH
Powered by a sublime 5.2-liter flat-plane crank V8 with 525 hp and a six-speed manual, the 2019 Shelby GT350 R benefits from an aerodynamically-efficient body and spoiler. All of that results with a pretty high top speed of 180 mph.
11 Ford Mustang Boss 302 (2012) – 157 MPH
We agree that official data for 2012 Boss 302 sounds a bit slow, especially when you know that this Mustang packs 444 hp engine under the hood. However, when you remove the top speed limiter, it is possible to go up to 170 mph in the right conditions.
10 Shelby GT500 (2007) – 150 MPH
Shelby triumphantly returned in 2007 with a 500-hp Mustang, which was the answer to our prayers. The car had blisteringly fast 0 to 60 mph time of 4.3 seconds but a bit of disappointing top speed of 150 mph with a limiter. Ford engineers said that even without the limiter, 2007 GT500 couldn’t go over 170 mph due to poor aerodynamics.
9 Ford Mustang Boss 429 (1970) – 147 MPH
Even though the 147 mph top speed is nothing spectacular today, it was a big deal in 1970. The NASCAR-derived Boss 429 was a high-revving machine, and it could propel this rare Mustang faster than any of the contemporary muscle cars.
8 Shelby 1000 (2013) – 220 MPH (est.)
The Shelby 1000 is barely street-legal muscle car with astonishing power and only one purpose – to go insanely fast. The supercharged V8 quickly pushes this unique Mustang to a 220-mph top speed.
7 Ford Mustang GT PP2 (2020) – 155 MPH
The Performance Pack 2 Mustangs are enthusiast choice since they have better handling, brakes and are more driver-focused cars. The top speed is electronically-limited to 155 mph, but without the limiter, this Mustang can reach 170 mph easily.
6 Shelby GT500 (2013) – 200 MPH
The 2013 Shelby GT500 was a big deal in Mustang history since it was first Mustang with a top speed of 200 mph. With 662 hp from well-known, 5.8-liter supercharged V8, this Mustang had supercar performance and started a new era for America's favorite pony car.
5 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R (1995) – 160 MPH
The 1995 Cobra R came only in white, and it was sold only to people with a race license. It was bare-bones, barely legal Mustang that had tuned engine, suspension, and brakes. It also had a 160-mph top speed, which is respectable even today.
4 Shelby GT500 Super Snake (2007) – 170 MPH
Even though we think that 2007 Super Snake could be a bit faster, the 170-mph top speed is nothing to sniff at. With 600 hp on tap, a cool-looking body kit, it had the firepower but lacked the aerodynamics to go faster.
3 Ford Mustang Bullitt (2019) – 163 MPH
It is interesting how little details can make the car go faster. The 2019 Bullitt is just a bit lower and a bit more potent than standard 5.0 GT, and it has an 8-mph higher top speed. We are sure that if you remove the mandatory limiter, you can see 170 mph.
2 Shelby GT500 (2020) – 180 MPH
We know that electronic top speed limiters are mandatory by law, but we feel that sports cars should be able to run free, in proper conditions, of course. That is why it is a bit frustrating to learn that the top speed of the 2020 Shelby GT500 is “just” 180 mph. If this boring device is to be removed, brave enough drivers could reach 200 mph with ease.
1 Ford Mustang Mach I (2004) – 151 MPH
One of the fastest SN95 Mustangs was the 2004 Mach I. It was a limited-edition package that used the same 4.6-liter V8 engine with a bit more power than the standard GT. It was also a bit faster to 60 mph and could reach 151 mph.