When talking about a muscle car you automatically picture an old Ford Mustang, or maybe a new model straight off the production lines. Both of those visions are amazing to most muscle car enthusiasts. When talking about a group of Mustang worshipers, there are no other cars worthy of being called muscle. Strangely enough, though, the Mustangs of today are being designed and marketed as sports cars. But times do change, and so do people.
No matter what side of middle-aged you are, though, Ford Mustang GTs have a special place in our hearts. Some for their sound. Others for their looks. But to most, the GT is a combination of looks, power, torque, performance, and all-out fun. Driving one is an exhilarating experience that may only be matched by someone riding in the passenger seat. Let us go back in time and get reacquainted with some of the best GTs that you can buy.
10 2011 Ford Mustang GT
In 2011 the GT got a makeover. Electric power steering replaced the old hydraulic versions of the previous years. The motor was upgraded to the “Coyote” 5.0 that can pound out 412 horses and 390-foot pounds of torque. The 0 to 60 times range is right around 4.6 seconds, and the quarter-mile could be sprinted through in 13.2 seconds at a finishing speed of 109 miles per hour.
The 2011 Ford Mustang GT is a true muscle car. It can burn tires off when you want to blow through some rubber, or it can launch like an apex predator if you decide you want to see a Camaro in the rearview mirror. It has suspension upgrades that add sporty performance to the straight-out power. This is truly one car that you should try and get your hands on, at least for long enough to take for a spin.
9 2014 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Nobody in their right mind could give up the opportunity to drive a 2014 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. The 5.8L engine creates a mind-blowing 662 horsepower, and it has a torque rating of 631-foot pounds. The engine has 6 main bolts, instead of the basic four, to help stiffen the block and secure the forged crankshaft. From a dead stop, this ‘Stang can reach 60 in 3.5 seconds, and it has an all-out top speed of over 200mph.
The suspension of this beast can be adjusted from inside the cab of the car, allowing you complete control of how you want the muscle car to ride. It also has many different options that can be added on to it, such as a track option that includes an external engine oil cooler, and a transmission cooler. Or you could opt for the electronics option which gave you all the up-to-date technology that you could want. This car could have been built to match any of your desires and give you an adrenaline rush when behind the wheel.
8 2019 Ford Mustang GT
The 2019 Ford Mustang GT is basically the twin to the 2018 model, which had a few substantial changes made to it, including a bump up in horsepower. As you would expect the GT has the 5.0L engine which can push out 460 horses, and with the optional active exhaust system you can not only feel the power, but you can hear it as well. The torque rating was 420-foot pounds, which put transferred power to the back wheels to propel it from 0 to 60 in just under 5 seconds.
The interior has been updated with all the new gizmos and gadgets that you need, including a touch screen infotainment center. The GT of this generation also received an independent rear suspension, which makes it handle better through turns, and on the straight stretches. The 2019 Mustang has a selection knob for you to control the suspension of the car, allowing you to drive in various different modes.
7 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback
The 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback was a gorgeous car when it came off the production lines and is just as beautiful today. The iconic Mustang had a unique look back in its earlier years, one that could not be mistaken for any of its rivals. The most common choice was the 390 that was being used in the Ford Thunderbird. It had a torque rating of 427-foot pounds, and it could produce 320bhp. The Fastback could accelerate from 0 to 60 in 6.2 seconds, with an all-around top speed of 130mph.
The GT option during 1968 got you styled wheels that were fourteen inches, and a pop-open gas cap. The ‘Stang also got a two-spoke, shock-absorbing steering wheel. If you have ever driven a classic car, you will know how big of a difference this can make when taking any type of long-distance trip. Two other stand-out features that could be found on the ’68 were warning lights on the dash and a rear defrost option. Pretty cool for back then, but today it is common. Older classic muscle cars are an experience worth enjoying, so if you have the funds to pick one of these up you should definitely do so.
6 1993 Ford Mustang GT
Not many Mustang lovers will admit that they like any of the Fox Body styles, but it is added on to this list because they are fun muscle cars to drive. The 5.0L that has been stuffed under this hood puts out 205 horses with a torque of 275-foot pounds. Not much when compared to some of its other siblings, but when placed into such a light car it could push from 0 to 60 in 7.9 seconds.
The 1993 Ford Mustang GT was the last year that this generation was produced, giving way to the bigger and more powerful fourth generation. The little Fox car was almost switched over to a front-wheel drive, but the Mustang crowd fought against it, finally swaying Ford to keep it with the rear-wheel-drive system. This car does not have the power or torque of its bigger siblings, but it is still a car that should be driven at least, more if you can pick one up before it is grabbed by some other buyer.
5 2000 Ford Mustang GT
Unlike many of the other Mustangs before it the 2000 Ford Mustang GT did not come with a 5.0L. The engine that was placed under the hood was the 4.8L engine that could push out 260 horsepower with a respectable 302-foot pounds of torque. Not impressive when you check out the specs today, but for the year this car was a sprinter, which is shown by the 0 to 60 time of 5.5 seconds.
The GT for 2000 received some exterior styling upgrades that were taken from the previous years special 35th edition car. A rear wing was installed to help with the aerodynamics of the ‘Stang, and it had a hood with side spoilers that gave it a more aggressive look. This Mustang gained some power over the last year, making it more fun and exhilarating than the previous GT.
4 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500
The hand-built aluminum-alloy 5.2L “Predator” was not powerful enough, so Ford added a supercharger to it. Now the monster 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 could pound out a very impressive 760 horsepower and a ground pounding torque of 625 foot pounds. If you can prevent the tires from burning off it is possible to accelerate from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds.
Up to this point, this is the most powerful Mustang to ever come off the production lines. Even with the adjustable modes it is hard to keep the wheels from spinning, but with the drive times under your belt, it is possible. Quarter mile racers will tell you that you need to use the technique known as “pedaling,” which is simply once you get the hang of it. This means that you lay on the brake, pound the gas, and launch by releasing the brake. Yes, your tires will spin, which is why you let off slightly, feathering the accelerator until the car gets traction and launches. Even if you cannot get the hang of it, burning off a set of tires is just as fun.
3 2018 Ford Roush GT Jackhammer
If you want a muscle car that is a sports car that is between a race car and a daily driver the 2018 Ford Roush GT Jackhammer is for you. It has the basic 5.0L that you have come to expect from Ford, but it is installed with a built-in supercharger. This combination pumps out 710 horsepower and puts the power to the ground with a torque conversion of 610-foot pounds.
With a beast like this, you would think that it is only good on the strip, but that is far from the case. The Ford Mustangs are not marketed as sports cars just to sell. They are in fact capable sports cars that have the performance of straight-out muscle. The Jackhammer was an incredibly special edition car that had low production numbers, so it may be a hard one to find. If you do though, jump on it. If not, at least find one to drive because nothing can match the adrenaline rush that you will get while behind the wheel.
2 2013 Ford Mustang GT
As with almost every year, some changes were made to the 2013 Ford Mustang GT to keep it fresh and appealing. Even though the motor was the same 5.0L it even had a little more pep than the previous years. The horsepower was now up to 420 horses, and it produces 390-foot pounds of torque. The limited-slip rear end makes it easier to launch off the line, allowing a 4.4-second acceleration from 0 to 60 mph.
The front end once again received a few upgrades to make it look more sinister, like a predator should look. The grille took on some changes, and HID headlights for a thinner, more aggressive stance. The adjustable modes once again allow you to set the car for however you want to drive, and it makes for a ride that you will not soon forget.
1 1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT
The best should always come last, in a list of GTs anyway. The 1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT is an outright monster on wheels. The 428 that was installed under the hood was a variation of the large police interceptor motor, but with some tweaks to make it even more powerful. The horsepower of the motor has been set at 355bhp, but anyone that has had the privilege of driving one knows that it is more than that.
This car is not one of the quickest of Mustangs, only logging around 7.3 seconds for a 0 to 60 run, but that run is like nothing you have ever experienced, unless you drive race cars for a living. The GT was not designed as a race car, but it did take all its goodies from the car that took a victory at the Lemans racetrack. This is a hard car to get a hold of, but if you can, do not blink because it will be gone.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing like driving a Ford Mustang GT. The more power that it has, the better the ride. Technology today has come on in leaps and bounds making the new muscle cars an all-out marvel. But still, the old classic cars that rumble down the road will never be able to be replaced.
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Whatever way you lean, you can never go wrong with a GT. As the years roll on, new models will come out, and they will perform better and better. They are now marketed as sports cars, because believe it or not, they can hang with many of the sports cars on the market, and they can pound on the muscle car rivals that will never go away.
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About The Author
Chad Daw (57 Articles Published)
I have been a professional freelance writer for over twenty years. Mostly ghostwriting for other people but I do have a couple of websites that I run. I specialize in articles about the automotive industries, and on the side I take cars from the junkyard, rebuild them, and sell to people in need.