Starting after World War 2, domestic carmakers went toe-to-toe to come up with the ultimate product. As blue-collar workers were able to afford homes and have ample disposable income, carmakers figured that it was a necessity to target this new and willing-to-spend demographic.
Things really became serious in 1965 when Ford released the Mustang. The race between Ford and Chevrolet to be the number one car manufacturer in the country intensified. Despite Camaros being outstanding pony cars, some of the coolest Mustangs of all time will easily outshine Chevy's second crown jewel.
10 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 - 0 to 60: 4 seconds
Chevy has released a plethora of versions of the Camaro over the years. Some of them have barely increased in value, while others are simply financially inaccessible at this point. For 1967, Chevy provided several trims for the Camaro including the high-performance Z28. Back then, the beast was offered with a 302 cu in V8 that makes 290 hp at 5,800 rpm and 290 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. Needless to say, the Z28 was already making a name for itself.
There are several obscure facts that most gearheads do not know about the Chevy Camaro. For example, the Z28 was brought back to life after an eleven years hiatus. Last produced in 2015, the Z28 combines both looks and performance, as expected. The massive 7.0L LS7 V8 churns out 505 hp at 6,100 rpm and 481 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. All this power is transmitted to the wheels thanks to a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission. The 2015 Z28 can go from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds and has a top speed of 190 mph.
9 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt - 0 to 60: 4.4 seconds
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Back in 1968, the iconic movie Bullitt starring Steve McQueen was released. While the movie generated its fair share of revenue, it also paved the way for realistic and adrenaline-filled car chases in movies. Watching McQueen zooming down the streets of San Francisco while being chased by two Dodge Chargers will always remain the most exhilarating scene in the American movie industry.
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It goes without saying that the Mustang Bullitt is an instant classic. It is unnecessary to mention that the most recent Bullitts live up to their reputation. The 2019 Bullitt comes with the classic 5.0L Coyote V8 found in the Mustang GT. However, the power output was increased from 460 to 480 hp. Torque remains the same at 420 lb-ft. The Bullitt goes from 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 163 mph. What makes the Bullitt special is not necessarily its power increase, its lower ground clearance, pine green paint, along with the multiple Bullitt badges, are some of the things that make the Bullitt a true collectible.
8 2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE - 0 to 60: 3.5 seconds
The Camaro is a great car. Until recently, its smaller engine was a 3.6L V6 that develops 323 hp at 6,800 rpm and 278 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. However, for more experienced drivers with a serious need for speed, this is just not cutting it. In fact, it seems that even the SS trim is too slow for that category of piston heads. Understanding that gearheads with fat wallets were looking into something far more aggressive, Chevy re-released the ZL1.
The latest Camaro ZL1 1LE is unarguably among the most powerful Chevy Camaros of all time and comes with a true state-of-the-art powerplant. GM squeezed as much as possible out of the supercharged 6.2L LT4 V8, which ends up producing a staggering 650 hp at 6,400 rpm and 650 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. Chevy's most popular pony car goes from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 202 mph. The most surprising fact about the ZL1 is that its MSRP starts at only $63,000.
7 2020 Ford Mustang Jack Roush Edition - 0 to 60: 3.4 seconds
The domestic tuner scene has always been quite fascinating. With Carroll Shelby setting the tone with the Shelby Cobra CSX2000 and later the GT500 Eleanor, tuners nationwide realized that they could make a name for themselves. Whether they were skilled dealership owners, former race car drivers, or just genuine car fans with a dream, these tuners are now among some of the most popular companies in the domestic and even global car scene.
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Roush Performance needs no introduction. It has been one of the most important provider of Ford aftermarket solutions. Consequently, the Michigan-based company has plenty of chances to fine tune the art of turning regular Ford vehicles into monsters. The Mustang Jack Roush Edition is one of the sickest cars built by Roush for several reasons. The 2020 Shelby GT500 is factory rated at 760 hp and 625 lb-ft of torque. The Jack Roush Edition Mustang is fitted with a Stage 3 Roush Supercharger that allows the 5.0L V8 to develop 775 hp and 670 lb-ft of torque. Since the Jack Roush Edition goes from 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds, it is fair to assume that the beast must have a top speed of a little over 200 mph.
6 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Callaway SC750 - 0 to 60: 3.3 seconds
If you have heard about Callaway, then you know exactly that everything that comes out of that shop is no laughing matter. The SC750 is based on the 2019 Camaro ZL1. Callaway decided to crank it up a notch and by replacing the stock supercharger with a supercharger coupled with an intercooler system.
The upgraded powerplant makes 750 hp and 739 lb-ft of torque. The SC750 goes from 0 to 60 in 3.3 seconds. It also does a respectable 11.2 seconds at 127 mph on the quarter mile.
5 2019 Ford Mustang S302 Black Label - 0 to 60: 3.7 seconds
Over the years, Saleen and Roush have been fighting to become the second preferred Ford tuner after Shelby. While this commercial war may drive the management of both companies crazy, it is making most gearheads out there more than happy. Saleen proved that the 5.0L Coyote V8 is one of the best engines ever made by Ford. The California-based tuner was able to extract 800 hp and 687 lb-ft of torque. That is just half the story.
The S302 Black Label comes with a variety of body parts that make the car looks like it is ready to tear up Laguna Seca. The mean-looking Saleen goes from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds. Though its top speed remains unknown, it is fair to assume that the S302 must be close to reaching 185 mph.
4 2018 Chevrolet Camaro Lingenfelter - 0 to 60: 3.1 seconds
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This beastly Camaro Eliminator is among the most insane cars built by Lingenfelter, and most hardcore muscle heads out there know that Lingenfelter is one of the best GM tuner. Based on the ZL1, the Eliminator Drag Pack includes an Edelbrock TVS 2650 DI superchaged 6.2L V8 that makes a calming 1,000 hp and 866 lb-ft of torque.
Needless to say, Lingenfelter made sure to include in its package enough parts for the Camaro to withstand 1,000 hp. The Eliminator murders the quarter mile in 9.7 seconds, with a top speed of 144.5 mph.
3 2020 Shelby GT500 Venom - 0 to 60: 3.3 seconds
Ford integrated the Shelby GT500 package into its lineup years ago. As the package become a full-on trim, Ford started offering variations of the GT500. The latest GT500, with an MSRP of $72,500, comes with all the bells and whistles one would expect to see in a high-end Mustang that produces as much power as an Italian supercar. While the latest GT500 is the pinnacle of American excellence, some owners want to make sure they own the ultimate GT500.
Ford set the bar really high with the latest generation of Shelby GT500. The supercharged 5.2L V8 makes 760 hp and 625 lb-ft of torque at the crankshaft. It is very respectable, even if the 2020 Shelby GT500 Super Snake makes an extra 40 hp. It is often said that everything is bigger in Texas. Hennessey Performance Engineering proved that this stereotype was in fact true. The Texan tuner developed a package for the last Shelby GT500 that allows the upgraded twin-turbocharged 5.2L V8 to churn out 1,200 hp. The Venom goes from 0 to 60 in 3.3 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 180 mph.
2 2020 Chevrolet Camaro Resurrection - 0 to 60: 2.3 seconds
The 2020 Camaro ZL1 1LE is a terrific sports car. In fact, it is so great that it reached the status of instant classic prior its release. With a MSRP starting at around $65,000, it is one of the most powerful and affordable American muscle cars available near you. Though more expensive than the 2020 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat priced at $59,000, the ZL1 1LE is the gift that keeps on giving.
The Camaro Resurrection also originates from Texas. Hennessey Performance Engineering wanted the latest ZL1 to join the "1,000 hp and up" club. Hennessey already had a 1,000 hp package for the ZL1. However, the company wanted to compete with other tuners and attract more car fans by allowing the LT4 V8 to produce 1,200 hp. Buyers get a Camaro that goes from a standstill to 60 in a scary 2.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of over 220 mph.
1 2020 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 - 0 to 60: 1.5 seconds
Nothing beats a good old NHRA event with cars popping wheelies and burning an undecent amount of rubber. You may never see the Cobra Jet on a public road, and that is perfectly understandable. Although it would be nice to see the all-electric Mustang pop a wheelie at the next green light, this new-age muscle car is only allowed to do its magic on the drag strip.
The Cobra Jet 1400's electric engine brings the car's power output to 1,400 hp and 1,100 lb-ft of torque. The beast zooms down the quarter mile in 8.1 seconds at 171.97 mph.