Ford is one of the most influential carmakers of our generation, and it started production way back in 1903. They're responsible for some of the first mass-produced automobiles that were sold to the public. Over the years, they've garnered quite a reputation for themselves. However, it's arguable that they didn't become truly popular until it came to the muscle car genre. The classic American muscle image is synonymous with Ford.
You can argue that one of the driving forces behind Ford's Muscle car reputation is the Mustang. The car covers everything an American muscle should be and is the shining light in Fords showcase. However, it isn't the only brilliant muscle car that has come off the company's production line. The Mustang stands proudly with several other iconic cars such as the Shelby GT and the Firebird. If you're a fan of Ford, you're going to love this article! Here are 15 of Ford's most badass muscle cars.
15 1962 Thunderbird M-Code V8s
There's nothing quite like a classic Thunderbird. A rear-wheel-drive, low-riding, convertible, with a V8 engine to power it all up sounds like the perfect recipe. The Thunderbird has seen seven different body types during its production run, and the 62 model is the M-Code. It's one of the most gorgeous classic American muscle cars!
14 1973 Ford Falcon XB GT
Hot on the trail of the Thunderbird, is the 1973 Ford Falcon XB GT. Interestingly, this Ford is a creation of its Australian subsidiary and was only sold in the Australian market. Only 949 Falcon XB GT Coupes made it off the production line. Underneath the hood, you'd find a 5.7 liter Cleveland mill that could pump out 300 horsepower
13 1962 Ford Galaxie 427
In the '60s, Ford was dominant and came out with several quite brilliant cars. Among these is the underappreciated Galaxie. The 427, in particular, used the same 6.6-liter V8, which would churn out a massive 385-horsepower. Nowadays, the Galaxie is a darling among car collectors, especially in the convertible form!
12 1968 Ford Fairlane Torino GT Cobra Jet
1968 was a completely transformative year for Ford's Fairlane Torino GT. The car was going to enter the iconic Nascar race, so it got the Cobra Jet treatment. Only 600 cars with the massive 7.0-liter Cobra Jet engine were sold. Back in the day, this car could take on any comers in a drag race!
11 Shelby Mustangs
As soon as you see the Shelby name next to a Mustang, you can be certain that you're getting a brilliant car. Ford's performance division Shelby churns out brilliant muscle cars regularly. The lineup of incredible Shelby Mustangs is just staggering. Their prestige is why all of them get a mention on the list.
10 1968 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet
Ford's Cobra Jet engines were so powerful for the time; the company would have to lower the horsepower spec in official releases. The actual horsepower of the car is 410, and boy can you tell. Ford managed to answer the Chevy Big-Block engine dramatically. It showcased that they weren't going anywhere!
9 2015 Shelby Mustang GT350R
If the regular Shelby Mustang GT350 isn't quite performing to the standard you want, you can opt for the GT350R. Completely unnecessary, but it'll give you a much greater thrill. The 5.2-liter V8 engine produces a massive 526-horsepower and powers the car to a 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds. It's a street-legal racer!
8 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302
The late '60s were a fiercely competitive time for the American muscle industry. Detroit's big three were all up against each other, competing for the title of the best muscle car. That rivalry went from drag racing in the streets, to the tracks of NASCAR. The Mustang Boss 302 was released with the idea of ruling both, and it did!
7 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E
Ford's now-defunct premium entry-level subdivision Mercury was responsible for releasing the Cougar GT-E in 1968. The car was quite similar to the Mustang in shape. However, it was larger and more luxurious. It was available in two engine options, a 7.0-liter V8 or a Cobra Jet variant. It was a proper luxury muscle!
6 1969 Ford Talladega
Ford decided to name this car after the Talladega Superspeedway. It debuted in 1969 as a competitor for the premium muscle cars of the era. Underneath the hood was a roaring 7.0-liter V8, which you would just love flooring. It's also one of the most beautiful muscle cars from the era!
5 1966 Shelby GT350
In 1966, Shelby decided to make the GT350 slightly tamer than its predecessor from 1965. Due to the fact that Shelby was trying to cut costs at the time, many of the performance features were gone. However, if you were willing to spend a bit of extra money, you could get the supercharger version!
4 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
While the original Shelby GT500s are known for their ability on the tracks, the '68 model is more of a straight-up drag racer. It also had bolder styling to help make it stand out more. The aggressive look and iconic V8 engine is the very heart and soul of what embodies a muscle car!
3 1969 Ford Capri
The Capri is often under looked when ranking Ford's muscle cars, and it's hard to understand why. It has the same power as a Mustang; however, the body is sleeker and lighter. Inside, you would find several luxury features from the Ford Cortina. It's an affordable car that's open to endless customization options as well!.
2 1967 Shelby 427 Cobra
The Shelby 427 Cobra may look like a race car, but at its heart, it's a proper muscle car. It even feels more like a muscle than a race car thanks to the 7-liter V8 engine that was producing 427 horsepower. It was light as well, which means that the car was pushing the boundaries of car performance at that time!
1 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
While most other cars on this list are known for being more performance-oriented muscle cars, the Mach 1 is slightly different. It simply wasn't among the fastest muscle cars of the time. However, what is undeniable is the design of the car. It's gorgeous and is one of the most badass looking cars!