There are certain cars that have changed the automotive industry forever and one of them is the Ford Mustang. It offered great looks and power at a relatively affordable price and that won people over. It was soon an icon that could be seen anywhere from big-city high streets to the dragstrip. In fact, it was so successful that on its first day, 22,000 orders were taken, and in just a year, 417,000 copies were sold to customers. Over the years there have been countless iterations of the model, but here are 10 of the most powerful ones to have ever existed.

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429

The Mustang Boss 429 was a Nascar Homologation Special. To race in the series, the company had to produce 500 road-going versions of the big V-8. An engine so large that the suspension mountings of the Mustang had to be moved outwards for it to fit.

With 375 horses on the tap, it was the most powerful engine Ford had ever produced. However, on paper, it wasn’t as powerful as the engines in other muscle cars of the time. The engine was chocked down due to the introduction of smog regulations which led to emissions systems and carburetor tunes that were leaned out on purpose. However, both the smog system and carburetor tune could be reversed which gave the engine the power it deserved.

1969 BOSS 429 Specs

Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R

The SVT Cobra R is a special one, in fact, it was so special (or stupendous) that it was only sold to people with a racing license. With 385 horses from a 5.4-liter V-8 and upgraded suspension, brakes, and interior, this is as close to a racecar as Mustangs can get.

SVT Cobra R Specs

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

As you might have noticed by now, Ford likes to bring old names back to the market and this is what they have done with the 2012 Mustang Boss 302.

The vehicle was powered by a factory-modified 5.0L V8 which made 444hp and propelled the vehicle to 60 in just 3.9 seconds. When compared to the original Boss 302, the new model was nearly two seconds faster both to 60 and through the quarter-mile.

You would imagine that 42 years would have brought a larger performance gap, but the Muscle car industry tends to involve smaller and more incremental upgrades.

Mustang Boss 302 Specs

Ford Mustang GT PP2

Similar to the SVT Cobra R, the Mustang GT PP2 is mostly a track-focused variant of the model. It features the famous 5.0-liter V-8 which in this car produces 460 ponies. This is by no means the fastest Mustang on a straight line. However, it is one of the best for track usage and this is why it makes the list.

Mustang GT PP2 Specs

2007 Shelby GT500

The 1967 Mustang GT500 was not the only one to carry the legendary GT500 badge.

Like the original, the 2007 model was a tweaked version of the normal road-going vehicle. It features a 500-horsepower, 5.4-liter V-8 and the styling that suggests that this is no ordinary Mustang. Just like most models, all 500 horsepower was put to the ground via a very old-school solid rear axle which made the driving experience interesting, to say the least.

2007 Shelby GT500 Specs

2018 Shelby GT350

Just like the Shelby GT500, the GT350 is a revival of a classic Mustang variant. The new model runs a 5.2-liter V-8 that makes 526 horses. The independent rear suspension on this platform of Mustang meant that all that power could also be enjoyed through turns.

Shelby GT350 Specs

Ford Mustang Rocket

The name says it all with this one and the power rating of 725 horses backs it up. The Mustang Rocket is certainly one of the fastest variants of the model to ever exist; however, it was not made by Ford. The rocket is a creation of Henrik Fisker and Galpin Auto Sports, who have taken a normal Mustang and tweaked the styling and all the mechanicals. The result is a unique-looking supercharged monster that could keep up with the supercars of the time.

Mustang Rocket Specs

2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

The lifecycle of the Mustang has seen plenty of ups and downs, but we can safely say that it is now going through a high. The fastest model currently for sale is the GT500. With 760 horses it surely has the muscle. And, since it is based on the new and much more modern platform, unleashing all that power will probably end in forwards propulsion rather than a trip to the ditch.

2022 Mustang GT500

2013 Shelby 1000

Moving on to the slightly newer stuff where the power gains are obvious. The insane Shelby 1000 produced 1,200 horsepower and it all went to the rear wheels. If you managed to keep it straight enough through the first few gears it would go all the way up to 200 mph – a number mostly reserved for exotic supercars. It was by no means refined or sane; however, for that exact reason, it has won the hearts of muscle car lovers.

Shelby 1000 Specs

2022 Mustang GT500 Code Red

The final and most powerful Mustang entry is the GT500 Code Red. The company has revived the 'Code Red' after nearly 15 years to make the most powerful Mustang. Its twin-turbo 5.2L V-8 produces 1300 horses and 1000 pound-feet of torque on E85 fuel. However, this doesn't come cheap. Shelby announced that the GT500 Code Red will cost an eye-watering $209,995, and that doesn't include the donor car!

Only 30 examples will be built, and due to the modifications, they will not be street legal.

Code Red Specs