Ford and Chevrolet had a long-standing rivalry in the automotive world. This stems from the long going goal of being the superior US automobile manufacturer in the country.

However, it doesn't just stop on the showroom floor. Ford and Chevy have very decorated racing backgrounds that stem everywhere from drag racing, LeMans, World Time Attack, NASCAR and more.

Each of these the two powerhouses in the US; Ford and Chevy always try to outdo one another. From trying to create the best car or truck to building some of the most powerful race cars in the world, these two won't let the other off easy.

Today we are going to be going over the rivalry between Ford and Chevy in 20 race cars, both historic and modern. You will find cars ranging from the 50s and 60s to now, from drag racing to LeMans prototype cars. Each gives a look into the history of this epic rivalry between Ford and Chevrolet.

This rivalry has gone on for decades and has no glimpse of slowing down even to the modern racing series that each competes in. Starting with the historic drag car, and working our way through the timelines of both Ford and Chevy in a motorsport sense and how they've translated some of their engineering to the race track in these cars.

20 Ford GT

This is one of the newest additions to the Ford racing fleet, the Ford GT. Mind you Ford has raced with the previous versions of the car in the past (the GT40 and the GT), and has been very successful doing so.

There was a lot on the line with this car, and Ford has already proven that the newest Ford GT race car will dominate the track just like its older brothers did in the past, and be just as successful. Not to mention the amount of testing that Ford did with this car.

19 Ford Mustang RTR

The Mustang has been racing with Ford for decades and will continue to do so in many different fashions. The Mustang RTR is a purpose-built Global Time Attack car by K&N that is out to prove that the Mustang should not be taken lightly.

With the powerful coyote engine, and improvements in handling, braking, aero and grip this RTR Mustang has already taken names in the World and Global Time Attack series. Given that this Mustang was also built in collaboration with K&N, it elevates this build even more.

18 2012 Chevrolet Daytona Prototype

Another style of race car that is produced is the prototype car, which essentially is a purpose-built race car that isn't offered in production.

The 2012 Daytona Prototype was one of the first prototype cars that Chevy built to be competitive in circuit racing such as the LeMans and Rolex series, where you can find this style of race car quite commonly.

Let's just say this overly-engineered car wasn't matched by Ford until nearly eight years later since this turbo V8 was extremely powerful for the class.

17 2018 Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R

One of the newer cars added to the Chevy fleet was the Camaro GT4.R, which has been dominating in the cup racing circuit in the 2018 season thus far.

The good thing about the Cup racing series is that the cars actually can be bought from the factory, much like this Camaro. Of course, you can't get the exact race specs, but the Camero SS and ZL1 are a few of the options that you can look into to get your hands on a race-ready track monster.

This car based on the Camaro has major improvements on suspension, aero, and brakes to help dominate the circuit.

16 Ford Mustang Boss 302R

One of the most famous versions of the Mustang is the Boss 302, which is significantly more powerful than the traditional Mustang GT.

The Boss 302R combines both of the aspects of the cars, with more power of course. While adding better handling capabilities to be able to compete in World Time Attack as well as other circuit racing around the world. Not only does this Mustang compete, but it wins against the likes of the Camaro. This ride is a big-time gem.

15 Corvette C7.R

The C7 Corvette is one of the best selling Corvettes in the modern era, even though it has only been out for a few years at this point.

Naturally, Chevy needed to put the design to the true test in the Cup racing series with the C7.R, which is mind-numbingly awesome. The C7 already comes with a powerful supercharged engine that cranks out around 600 hp, but given that it is also meant to handle, this shows you that Chevy came to win.

14 Ford Riley Prototype

Ford also is no stranger to competing in the prototype class, this one was largely based on the Ford GT in which they've proven their dominance in that class as well. This car also has become a successful ride in various circuit series.

Not only does it have a similar Ecoboost V6 engine, but it is also a completely tubed car from front to rear. The lighter chassis gives this car an unmatched level of acceleration and cornering with usable aero, and a streamlined design that you can see on every body panel of this car.

13 Corvette LMP2

Rounding off our list of Chevy cars is the Corvette LMP2, which races in the GT1 class of the LeMans series. This car isn't just a Corvette anymore, it is widened, has a crazy increase in power, plus with all functional aero - it gives this Corvette a massive advantage over the other cars.

With the success that Chevy had with cup racing and the Corvette, they have definitely learned and are continuing to elevate their engineering into the race cars, such as how they built this LMP2 to not only compete in the series but to win the class.

12 1963 Chevrolet Impala "Mystery 427"

Talk about a serious muscle car. This 1963 Impala was one of the most cunning drag racing cars of the time.

Even though the 1963 Impala made a name for itself off of the track, this race car continued to hurt feelings on the track. The mystery 427 refers to its engine, it was a massive 427 big block V8 that to this day, is just as the car is named, a mystery.

This drag car definitely wasn't one to mess with at the time.

11 1966 Ford Mustang

Talk about a classic, this 1966 Mustang isn't just a car that goes fast straight, it loves to take corners as well.

This car actually competes in some of the classic racing series that we see today and travels around the country showcasing the engineering that Ford put into the car all of those years ago.

Equipped with the powerful V8, it handles just as quick as it corners. If you didn't think that a Mustang could handle well, maybe this will help change your mind, along with some of the other cars on the list.

10 1968 Chevrolet Camaro

Another car that is similar to the 1966 Mustang is this 1968 Chevy Camaro race car. This ride like its competition is a car that races on road courses and proves itself with a similar V8 as the Mustang, but in Chevrolet fashion of course.

The 1968 Camaro isn't a car that you will only see on the drag strip - with its long wheel base and wide stance it surprisingly makes for a very strong handling machine. Chevrolet was onto something during this era when the car was created, and that has reflected in the Camaro cars that have been developed since.

9 1970 Ford Escort MK1

The Ford Escort of the 60s and 70s wasn't as it ended up being in the modern versions of the car. It actually was one of the best all-around race cars in the world, where it raced on circuits and rally events alike.

One of the biggest advantages of the Escort MK1 was that it was again a lightweight rear wheel drive car that had just enough power to be competitive in the major events. The MK1 was the baseline for an entire line of Escort race cars in the future, and the engineering can be seen in each.

8 1976 IMSA GT Chevy Monza

Another car in a similar era as the Escort is the Chevy Monza GT that you can see here. This car wasn't just a winning race car, it competed in many different world stages and continued to dominate circuits.

This era was full of race cars that were used for a variety of applications, the Monza was also seen in circuit racing and rally racing just as its Escort counterpart. However, the Monza went on to win at various stages around the US in which the Escort would fall short.

7  Camaro Z28.R

Another strong car from the Chevrolet fleet is the Z28.R. This again is a cup car that races in the continental tire series against the likes of the Mustang, Porsche, BMW and more.

The Z28.R isn't just a normal Z28 Camaro, it has slight improvements of aero, horsepower, suspension, tires, and wheels. Again this is a car that you can look into buying for yourself, as the Z28 Camaro was made to be a track ready car, with handling improvements for better performance on the circuit.

In recent years, the Camaro has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the world stage.

6 Chevrolet 150 Turbo Fire

Now a bit of a throwback to a Chevrolet 150. This car wasn't just used in drag racing either, it was used as an all-purpose car. Before there were NASCAR tracks, you could catch this beauty racing on the beaches of Florida and California.

Now this classic car doesn't see much of the track of course, but this was the golden era of Chevy and Ford after the Great Depression. Each of the makers wanted to outdo the other on the track because this was the new place that buyers were focusing on - which car was faster than the other?

5 Chevy Camaro 1LE

You might not have known that Chevy did circuit racing in the 1990s, but this Camaro was one of the contenders in the Cup series.

Slightly underpowered this LS1 engine helped give this car a reliable edge and the torque that it needed to compete in these races. However, Chevy found that the suspension design of these cars wasn't ideal for racing on a circuit. Hence why you rarely see these cars on the track, unless it is a drag strip. Nonetheless, this Camaro made its rounds during the racing seasons of the 90s.

4  Ford Capri Perana

Jumping back into some Ford race cars is this Ford Capri Perana circuit car.

This car proves itself on the circuit with superior handling and is light similarly to the Escort that we went over earlier. This era of racing was the start of the shift toward proving the cars on the track versus on the road.

With a slightly widened body, better suspension, brakes, and of course a roll cage, this Capri Perana is ready to take names in the World Time Attack stage.

3  Ford Torino NASCAR

This Ford Torino was one of the most known NASCAR rides of the time. You might have noticed its 351 cubic inch V8 which has been used in various cars of the time as well.

The Torino was one of the most used race cars by Ford, especially as the NASCAR series gained popularity into the 70s and 80s. However, among the cars, this was one of the most unique and best designed of the competition during the time which included the Camaro, Challenger, and Charger.

2 Ford Mustang GT350R-C

It isn't a surprise that Ford hit the circuit track with the GT350R. This special edition GT350R-C was one of the first cars that Ford sent to compete in the Continental Tire Sportscar Challenge, where it competes as a cup car.

This Mustang not only had the insane Voodoo engine that Ford produced for the GT350R, but it was also upgraded with better suspension, roll cage, tires, and wheels - more to ensure that it was the ultimate competitor in the class that it raced in for the series.

1  Ford Torino Cobra

This car is similar to the previous Torino that we had on the list, however, this was given the Cobra treatment.

Similar to the Cobra version of the Mustang, the Torino Cobra gets a significant power increase along with superior handling, and braking that is needed to be a competitive race car and overall outperform Chevrolet cars.

This Torino Cobra proved itself on the track racing in the NASCAR series. Competing against the likes of the Camaro, Challenger, and Charger of the same era, it ultimately outperformed most of them with ease.

Sources: Fox Sports, Motor Trend, Road & Track, Car & Driver