15 Best Shelby Mustangs Throughout History
Growing up near Detroit, I couldn’t help but fall in love with American muscle cars. The roar of a Shelby Mustang engine still gives me goosebumps! Since 1965, Carroll Shelby’s partnership with Ford has produced some of the most iconic performance vehicles ever to hit American roads.
These thoroughbreds combine raw power, distinctive styling, and racing pedigree that continues to captivate car enthusiasts worldwide.
1. 1965 Shelby GT350
The legend that started it all! Carroll Shelby transformed the ordinary Mustang into a track-ready beast by adding a modified 289 cubic-inch V8 pumping out 306 horsepower.
Every GT350 came in Wimbledon White with blue racing stripes, creating that iconic look we still recognize today. Ford shipped these cars directly to Shelby’s shop where mechanics removed rear seats, added racing equipment, and created automotive history.
2. 1967 Shelby GT500
Brute force met beautiful design when Shelby unleashed the GT500. Under its fiberglass hood lurked the thunderous 428 Police Interceptor engine – Ford’s big-block monster delivering a tire-shredding 355 horsepower.
Movie buffs know this beauty as ‘Eleanor’ from Gone in 60 Seconds, but gearheads revere it as the first Shelby to wear the GT500 badge. With its aggressive styling, sequential taillights, and intoxicating power, this Shelby forever changed American muscle car culture.
3. 1968 Shelby GT500KR
Bow before the ‘King of the Road’! The KR badge wasn’t just marketing hype – this royal muscle car packed the legendary 428 Cobra Jet engine, conservatively rated at 335 horsepower (though experts suggest it produced well over 400).
Only 1,570 of these beauties rolled off the assembly line, making them rare jewels today. The GT500KR featured distinctive hood scoops, racing stripes, and a redesigned fiberglass front end that screamed performance before you even turned the key.
4. 2007 Shelby GT500
After a 35-year hiatus, the Shelby GT500 nameplate roared back to life! This modern monster packed a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 producing a whopping 500 horsepower – numbers that would’ve seemed impossible in the ’60s.
Carroll Shelby personally signed off on this revival, giving it his legendary stamp of approval. With its retro-inspired looks and modern technology, the 2007 GT500 bridged generations of muscle car fans while proving American performance was back with a vengeance.
5. 2013 Shelby GT500
Ridiculous power defines this 200+ mph monster! Ford and SVT engineers stuffed a handbuilt 5.8-liter supercharged V8 under the hood, creating the most powerful production V8 in the world at that time.
Churning out an astonishing 662 horsepower and 631 lb-ft of torque, this snake could hit 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Upgraded Brembo brakes, electronic adjustable suspension, and launch control helped harness all that fury – making this perhaps the most complete GT500 ever built.
6. 1966 Shelby GT350H
Fancy renting a race car for the weekend? Hertz actually made that possible with the legendary ‘Rent-A-Racer’ program, offering these special GT350s to customers with more courage than common sense. Most came in striking black with gold stripes – Hertz corporate colors that became instantly iconic.
The ‘H’ models packed the same 306-horsepower V8 as regular GT350s, creating weekend warriors who would rent these beasts Friday, race them Saturday, and return them (sometimes worse for wear) on Monday.
7. 2020 Shelby GT500
The most powerful factory-produced Mustang ever created! This modern marvel packs a hand-built 5.2-liter supercharged V8 producing a mind-blowing 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque.
Engineering wizardry includes a sophisticated 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that can shift in just 80 milliseconds – faster than you can blink.
The aerodynamic design generates over 550 pounds of downforce at speed, while massive Brembo brakes can haul this beast down from 60 mph in just 108 feet.
8. 1969 Shelby GT350
Muscle car evolution reached its peak with this sleek predator! The ’69 GT350 featured a completely redesigned body with an extended nose, fiberglass hood, and functional air scoops that looked ready to devour lesser cars.
Power came from a 351 Windsor V8 producing 290 horsepower – less than earlier models but with improved drivability. The ’69 model year would be the last of the original Shelby Mustangs, marking the end of an era as Carroll’s direct involvement with Ford wound down.
9. 2008 Shelby GT500KR
The King returned to reclaim its throne! Limited to just 1,000 units, this modern monarch packed a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 upgraded to 540 horsepower – 40 more than the standard GT500.
Carbon fiber adorned the hood, saving 18 pounds while looking menacingly beautiful. Each KR featured a hand-built engine with a special calibration, upgraded suspension, and a numbered plaque signed by Carroll Shelby himself.
The result? A track-capable beast that sold out instantly despite its royal price tag.
10. 2016 Shelby GT350R
Track day domination comes standard with this naturally-aspirated marvel! Instead of following the supercharged path, Ford engineers created the magical 5.2-liter Voodoo V8 with a flat-plane crank – technology normally found in exotic Ferraris.
The result? A spine-tingling 526 horsepower screaming to an 8,250 rpm redline with a sound that makes grown enthusiasts weep with joy.
The ‘R’ variant deleted the rear seat, added carbon fiber wheels (saving 60 pounds of unsprung weight), and incorporated serious aerodynamic upgrades for genuine track capability.
11. 1966 Shelby GT350
Refinement met raw power in the sophomore year of Shelby production. While keeping the race-bred DNA of the ’65 model, the ’66 added creature comforts like rear seats, optional automatic transmission, and more color choices beyond Wimbledon White.
The iconic side scoops (non-functional but eternally cool) made their first appearance, becoming a Shelby signature. Despite the civilizing touches, the heart remained wild – that modified 289 V8 still produced 306 horsepower in a package weighing just 2,800 pounds.
12. 2011 Shelby GT350
Rebirth of a legend! After 41 years, the GT350 nameplate returned as a post-title package from Shelby American. Starting with a Mustang GT, Shelby transformed it with a Ford Racing supercharger boosting output to 525 horsepower, along with a complete suspension overhaul.
As a nod to the original, these modern interpretations came only in white with blue stripes for the first year. Each featured a serialized dash plaque, Borla exhaust system, and those unmistakable Shelby visual cues that instantly distinguish it from regular Mustangs.
13. 1968 Shelby GT350
Style evolution defined the ’68 GT350! The redesigned body featured fiberglass components, a longer nose, and distinctive scoops everywhere – hood, side, and rear quarter panels all got the treatment. Under the hood lived a 302 cubic-inch V8 making 250 horsepower.
Luxury touches crept in with wood-grain dashboard trim, upgraded upholstery, and air conditioning. Carroll Shelby’s influence was waning as Ford took greater control of the program, resulting in a more refined but slightly less raw machine than the original street racers.
14. 1969 Shelby GT500
Last dance of the original Shelbys! The ’69 GT500 represented the final evolution of Carroll’s direct influence on the Mustang, featuring the most aggressive styling of the classic era with quad headlights, massive air intakes, and sequential taillights.
Motivation came from the thunderous 428 Cobra Jet V8 producing 335 horsepower (grossly underrated).
Many of these cars actually sold as 1970 models, despite being manufactured in 1969, as dealer inventories struggled to move these expensive specialty machines during changing market conditions.
15. 2014 Shelby GT500 Super Snake
Venom doesn’t get more potent than this! The Super Snake package transformed the already formidable GT500 into an 850-horsepower street-legal monster through Whipple supercharger upgrades, enhanced cooling systems, and strengthened drivetrain components.
Each Super Snake received unique badging, carbon fiber body components, and special 20-inch Shelby wheels. The interior featured custom seats, a short-throw shifter, and a serialized dash plaque.
With production limited to just 500 units, these venomous predators represent the pinnacle of modern Shelby tuning.