The longest-running Ford model and the grand-daddy of the pony car segment, the Mustang nameplate has redefined the word mustang. Released from the stables of the Ford factories in 1964. It didn't take long for the most legendary figure of American motorsports Carroll Shelby and his company to optimize the pony car a year later.
Released a year later, the Shelby Mustang has been the steed Americans have put their money on. Outpacing the competition bred by Chevrolet and all other American automakers by miles for decades. However, the Camaro has been nipping at the Mustang's heel in the new millennia. Here are 5 reasons why we'd buy a Shelby Mustang and 5 reasons why we'd rather have a Camaro.
10 Why We'd Buy A Shelby Mustang: Technology
Matt Farah of the Smoking Tire test drove the 2020 Shelby Mustang GT500 and stated that it is the future of muscle cars. Equipped with a Tremec dual-clutch 7-speed paddle-shift transmission, shifts are lightning-fast. This shifter reins in the 760 horses produced from the supercharged V8 perfectly, a task that can quickly go sideways when attempted manually.
Standard is the Ford Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Equip this stallion with the optional carbon fiber wheels at all four corners. It begs the question, where do muscle cars end and supercars begin?
9 Why We'd Rather Have A Camaro: Engine
The Chevy V8s have become one of the most popular engines the world over for their versatility. The wide array of vehicles that use it translates to the availability of both the engine itself and parts. The compact design allows it to fit under the hood of virtually anything on four wheels.
Making it the engine of choice for motorsport application and those looking to upgrade their engine on a project car. The LT series engine that sits inside select Camaros are aluminum block versions that produce 455 hp naturally aspirated. It's the same powerplant used in the Corvette, and it can be tuned to ridiculous levels.
8 Why We'd Buy A Shelby Mustang: Power
When it comes to muscle cars only one number really matters, horsepower. The Shelby GT500 Mustang makes 760 hp of the factory whereas the top level Camaro ZL1 only makes 650 hp. That's a whole 110 hp more. Like fitting an entire base Chevrolet Spark in the engine bay, converted to horsepower, and still have 12 horses left over.
Not only does that mean a lot more power is getting to the pavement, but it also provides more ammunition when caught up in a heated Ford vs Chevy debate. Quite useful when exploring the Mustang forums and happen to stumble upon a pesky Camaro troll that refuses to go back under the bridge it came from.
7 Why We'd Rather Have A Camaro: Cost
Who doesn't love finding a good deal? The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 starts at about $65,000, compared to the $74,000 starting price of the Shelby GT500 it is clearly the better bargain by a wide margin.
Saving those looking to get into a premium muscle car from having to buy groceries in bulk at Costco and having to eat raw onions every day for a week because there are too many of them, and they're starting to go bad. Just to scrape together enough pennies to get into a GT500 instead. It's only fine artisanal cheeses and authentic Italian salamis for the Camaro owner.
6 Why We'd Buy A Shelby Mustang: Interior
Let's face it, it has been well known for a while that Chevrolet gives little thought to the interior, and it really shows with the cheap materials used. Even the top trim Camaro ZL1 hasn't been immune to this, setting the bar very low in this department. The Shelby GT500 doesn't win by default, the Ford designers really spent their time to get the fit and finish just right.
Carbon-fiber is the trigger word for every car enthusiast, causing every one of them to pitch tents faster than the light from the sun hitting the earth. The use of it on the dash evokes the feeling of being in something much more exotic.
5 Why We'd Rather Have A Camaro: Manual Gearbox
Ford has announced that the Shelby Mustangs will no longer come with a stick shift. No human can match the shifting speed of modern dual-clutch transmissions, but speed isn't always what counts. Ask the ladies of Sex and the City. It is no different for many car enthusiasts.
The satisfaction of performing the perfect heel-toe downshift just cannot be had by the seconds saved going around the track. One of the main arguments for Ayrton Senna being the greatest driver of all time is the simple fact that during his time the Formula 1 cars had manual gearboxes, and he still was able to set blistering lap times even by today's standards.
4 Why We'd Buy A Shelby Mustang: Legacy
Carol Shelby cemented his legendary status in the automotive world by overseeing the development of perhaps the greatest American car of all time, the Ford GT40. Finishing 1, 2, and 3 at 1967 24 hours of Le Mans race. Shelby and Ford are like cheddar on apple pie, quintessentially American and a combination that really complements each other.
The first generation of the Mustang was in need of an overhaul to distance itself from the "secretaries car" imagine and Carol successfully did so by putting out the Shelby Mustang GT350 back in 1964.
3 Why We'd Rather Have A Camaro: Fuel Economy
Despite the incredible power output, the Chevy V8s have managed to accomplish some impressive gas mileage. When comparing the Camaro ZL1 to the Shelby GT500, the Camaro manages to get 2 miles more out of a gallon in the city or on the highway.
Coming in at a respectable 14 city MPG and 20 highway MPG even with a supercharger. This vehicle is more efficient than many naturally aspirated performance cars out there while being faster around a track. This car can be driven on a daily basis without having to take out a second mortgage.
2 Why We'd Buy A Shelby Mustang: Looks
The designers at Ford did an amazing job with this modern interpretation of the original Mustang design. The three-slit tail light is the perfect modern touch to the classic pony car form that has been a bit more rounded out. Making the car look a lot sleeker.
The progressive rear turn signal has now become a definitive Mustang feature that will define the Mustang for future generations. When seen with the iconic white racing stripes on blue paint, it brings back those nostalgic images of the glory days of Ford, when Ferraris were little specks in the rearview mirror.
1 Why We'd Rather Have A Camaro: Weight
Although the Camaro ZL1 isn't necessarily the slender marathon runner by any stretch of the imagination, the Shelby GT500 is definitely a porker. Weighing in at whopping 4,171 lbs, at the curb, it can be argued that the tires spin the Earth to move this whale forward. The ZL1 on the other hand weighs 3,883 lbs.
A weight savings of nearly 300 lbs. It is the equivalent of having a sumo wrestler, making permanent residence inside the Camaro. The extra blubber is certainly felt behind the wheel. The Camaro coming out on top in all the acceleration tests and on the skidpad during Car and Driver's comparison of the two.