When it was first launched in 1964, no-one could have any idea just how important the Ford Mustang would become to the American automotive industry.
The iconic muscle car has now been in continuous production for over half a century and has constantly adapted and changed over that time to meet the demands of motorists. The most recent incarnation of the Mustang is not even a muscle car at all but is, in fact, an electric SUV!
Every generation of the Mustang since 1964 has also generated a series of special and limited edition models, boasting extra features that make them collectors’ items today.
10 2015 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350
The names Mustang and Shelby have a long connection going back to 1965 when Shelby American created the first high-performance Ford Mustang model. The company had been founded by racing driver Carroll Shelby, who certainly knew what a performance car needed in order to be a success.
In 2015, Ford unveiled the Mustang Shelby GT350, a vehicle the company described as “a track car that’s also street legal”. The highlight of this special edition is the aspirated V8 engine, capable of producing 500hp and a top speed of 155mph.
9 2006 Ford Mustang Steeda Q525
Steeda Performance Vehicles is another high-end aftermarket automotive company that has enjoyed a close and fruitful relationship with Ford, especially when it comes to creating epic limited edition Mustangs.
The 2006 Ford Mustang Steeda Q525 was their top-of-the-line Mustang model at the time, with a supercharger that boosted the vehicle’s engine from 1200 RPM to a mighty 6000 RPM. The lightweight Steeda Mustang was also given a smart custom makeover to match its souped-up performance, and a new model would have cost $62,000 back in 2006.
8 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca
The first Boss special edition Mustang was made in 1969, and the name only made a return in 2012 with the Ford Mustang Boss 302. There was even a limited edition model of this special edition, named after the Laguna Seca racetrack in California.
While the vehicle was very much designed for fun on the track, it was still road legal; although the fact that the rear seats had been taken out to lighten the weight means that it isn’t much use as a family run-around.
7 1968 Ford Mustang California Special
Heading back to the early days of Mustang history, one of the most successful early limited edition models was the 1968 Ford Mustang California Special. Just over 4,000 of these very collectible cars were ever made, including 250 that were modified for winter weather and renamed the Ford Mustang High Country Special.
The differences between the regular Mustang and the California Special were purely cosmetic, and as the name suggests, it was heavily marketed in the Golden State.
6 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
A year later, Ford released the Ford Mustang Mach 1, a performance package that would be available for a decade, and which was designed to compete with the Chevy Camaro and appeal to younger drivers.
The sporty Mach 1 not only looked more stylish and sportier than the standard Mustang, but it also came with a souped-up V8 engine and custom features like a matte black hood stripe. Ford is bringing the Mach 1 special edition back in 2021, with vintage styling and a $52,000 price tag.
5 1984 Ford Mustang SVO
In the mid-80s, the Ford Mustang made a radical departure from its previous style, but the third-generation model remains an iconic vehicle. Launched in 1984, this Mustang is often as the Fox-body, having been built on Ford’s Fox platform, used for several sedans between 1978 and 1993.
The SVO was a limited-edition high-performance version of the 1984 Fox-body Mustang, with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an upgraded manual transmission system. Fewer than 10,000 SVOs, standing for Special Vehicle Operations, were made between 1984 and 1986.
4 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR
Another joint creation of Ford and Shelby, the GT500KR was based on a 1968 model of the same name, and its 2008 launch marked the 40th anniversary of the original vehicle.
The 21st century GT500KR was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in 2007, when it was also announced that only 1,000 models would be built in 2008, with another 571 in 2009, equalling the original production run of the 1968 GT500KR. When the TV show Knight Rider was rebooted with Hollywood star Val Kilmer, the new KITT was housed in a GT500KR.
3 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351
This compact but powerful Mustang was made for just one year in 1971, and only 1,806 models rolled off the production line. The Ford Mustang Boss 351 had an impressive 330hp V8 engine, custom brakes and suspension, and a four-speed manual transmission system, as well as stylish go-faster stripes and a custom honeycomb grille.
Brand new, the 351 would have set you back only $4,100 but Mustang fans today will have to shell out at least $50,000 to add a 1971 Boss to their collection.
2 2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt
One of the most famous Ford Mustangs of all time is the Highland Green 1968 Mustang Fastback driven by Steve McQueen through the streets of San Francisco in the film Bullitt. The film used two Fastbacks, one which was almost wrecked filming the iconic jump scene, and another which was bought and used as a family car for years.
In 2001, Ford launched the special edition Mustang Bullitt, a tribute to the original 1968 automotive film star.
1 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R
When it was launched in 2000, the Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R was the fastest ever Mustang, with a blistering top speed of 175mph. The car was created by Ford’s Special Vehicles Team (SVT), and its 385hp V8 engine also made the car capable of accelerating from 0 to 60mph in just 4.7 seconds.
The exterior and interior of the SVT Cobra R were stripped back as much as possible to increase speed, as well as being fitted with a side-exit exhaust and a large rear wing to improve stability. Only available in red, just 300 of these special edition Mustangs were produced.