The Ford Shelby GT350 is – simply put – one of the best Mustang models ever made. It is almost the perfect combination of an everyday sports car and a track-ready monster, all rolled into one great-looking package.
The Mustang has been the standard for the American pony car since its introduction in the 1960s – even with the various terrible versions of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The 2000s Mustang brought the model back to where it was supposed to be, offering a ridiculous amount of power for relatively little money. The S550 generation, which was introduced in 2015, brought the Mustang into the 21st Century as it was the first generation to feature independent rear suspension – like a proper sports car. With the new generation, Ford introduced the GT350, a continuation of the original, but with properly modern technology. Even the engine was reworked for the modern era as it featured the same hardware as Ferrari used in their cars.
The GT350 truly is one of the best Mustang models to ever be made, giving way to what would become the new GT500 – the most powerful product Ford had ever made. With that, here are ten reasons why the Ford Mustang GT350 is perfect for driving enthusiasts.
10 It Looks Fantastic
The Ford Mustang has been a pretty good-looking vehicle in each of its generations, even the Fox-body generation – but excluding the dreaded Mustang II. The fifth generation (S197) brought the Mustang back to its roots with some proper muscle car styling and much better engines.
The S550 model which followed, brought the Mustang into the modern world with its independent suspension setup and new engines, including the Coyote V8 and all its variants. The GT350 was the first of the range to get a sportier body kit and racing-inspired upgrades – all of which made it look fantastic.
9 It Handles Like A Charm
The GT350 has much better handling than any Mustang model which came before it – mostly thanks to the standard Mustang’s independent rear suspension. The GT350 got a host of other handling-focused upgrades such as improved chassis tuning, better brake rotors for a more responsive feel, and adjustable dampeners.
The hood was also lowered to offer a better view of the road – or racetrack – giving the driver more confidence in the car. The steering is precise enough to put the car exactly where you’d want it, but without being twitchy on the street.
8 The Engine Is A Masterpiece
The engine is basically the 5.0-liter Coyote V8, but instead of the standard cross-plane crankshaft – resulting in the signature American V8 growl – the 5.2-liter naturally aspirated unit in the GT350 has a flat-plane crankshaft, the same as a Ferrari.
Thanks to the decrease in inertia and reworked headers, the Voodoo V8 can rev to a dizzying 8,250 rpm, the highest ever for a Mustang V8. The other changes and upgrades results in a 526-hp, 429 lb-ft of torque muscle car, with the atmosphere of a European sports car – which isn’t a bad thing.
7 It Had Only One Transmission Choice
The S550 Mustang was available with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic, but when it was updated in 2018, the only transmission choice for both the Mustang EcoBoost and GT is the 10-speed automatic.
Ford decided against using the automatic as it was deemed too impersonal and took away from the experience. This left the GT350 with only the 6-speed manual – which was definitely the best choice. Many loyal customers and race car drivers alike have praised Ford’s decision as it makes every GT350 desirable.
6 The Noise Is Unlike Any Other Mustang
American muscle cars have a very distinct sound coming from the exhaust. Where most European V8s use even firing orders for a smooth and regular sound, many American V8s utilize the odd firing order – alternating between cylinder banks with the odd same bank firing to give it the characteristic idle sound.
The normal Mustang GT with the 5.0-liter Coyote uses the odd firing sequence thanks to the cross-plane crankshaft, but since the 5.2-liter Voodoo has a flat plane, it forces the engine into the even firing sequence. This turns the big American V8 into a sophisticated-sounding European-like V8 -quite different for a Mustang.
5 It Has Cool Factory Upgrades
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The GT350 was available in two different forms, either the normal GT350 or the more track-focused GT350R. The ‘R’ model is aimed at those buyers who enjoy taking their cars to the track on the weekend and racing the clock to see who can get around a track the fastest. As such, the GT350R has a host of aerodynamic upgrades such as a larger spoiler, larger splitter, and lightweight wheels to lower inertial momentum.
Meanwhile, the ‘regular’ model is for those owners who enjoy a weekend drive along a twisty back road and who just want to use their Mustang as a Mustang. Something fun and comfortable which can be driven every day, if need be, but which still offers the same level of noise and entertainment as a much more focused vehicle.
4 It Is As Comfortable To Drive On The Streets As It Is Ferocious On Track
Speaking of comfort, the GT350 is a pretty good car on public roads. The MagneRide dampers help in controlling the mass of the car and smooths out all the subtle – and not so subtle – bumps and hills which can be found on regular streets.
Meanwhile, those same dampers can be tuned up to their highest setting, creating a ride to help the vehicle control itself during hard cornering on the track, all while keeping the rear planted and the front ready to change direction whenever needed.
3 It Set The Stage For The GT500
The GT350, while a fantastic car, was a trial run to see if the public still wanted a properly fast Mustang with some higher-end upgrades and more advanced technology. The answer was an overwhelming ‘yes’ as the GT350 and GT350R sold out during their 2015 to 2020 production run.
Ford then set about upping the ante with the new GT500, which shared much of its technology with the GT350, but dialed up to eleven. The GT500 got carbon-fiver wheels, a dual-clutch transmission and more sophisticated engine management systems than a Eurofighter Typhoon. Ford states that the current Mustang Mach 1 is the successor to the GT350, but the two cars share very little, leading to the GT500 conclusion.
2 It Is A Relatively Rare Car
The GT350 was launched in 2015 and entered full production in 2016. It sold out faster than Ford could keep up with and has since become something of an instant classic – a collector’s car before it even finished production. Well, production has now finished and prices for the GT350 is steadily climbing.
A part of this is due to the fact that Ford limited production a bit, producing just 23,500 units in the five years of production. This makes the GT350 and GT350R quite a rare car, compared to the already more than 500,000 normal Mustang S550s produced. Anyone who wants one should get on it soon, before prices get completely out of hand.
1 It Had A Special Heritage Edition
To mark the end of production of the GT350, Ford created the GT350 Heritage Edition. Mechanically, the car is no different from any of the other GT350s out there, but it does come with some nice cosmetic bits. For one, all GT350 Heritage Editions are finished in Wimbledon White with twin Guardsman Blue stripes and GT350 badges on the fenders – just like the GT350 used by Ken Miles 55 years prior.
The Heritage Edition also added most of the options as standard, including the sticky tires, aerodynamic upgrades, and the sports exhaust. The GT350 Heritage Edition was a great way to end the production run of one of the most standout Mustangs ever made, one which made way for all the Mustangs we currently have and will have in the future – an almost perfect companion for driving enthusiasts.