Power ponies, from the ’07 Shelby Cobra GT500 to the ’65 GT350
By Ron Perry
|
August 12, 2005
Introduction
From specialty cars like the Shelby GT350 and GT500 to Ford-engineered power houses like the SVT Cobra, high performance has almost always been synonymous with the Mustang. Now, on the heels of the vaunted limited-production Ford GT, the Blue Oval boys have announced the introduction of the 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500. To celebrate a new era in high-performance Mustangs, we take a look back at the important Shelbys, Mach 1s, Cobras, and other Mustangs that set the precedent for the cars of today – and likely the cars of tomorrow.1965 Shelby GT350
In 1965, Ford was looking for a performance version of the Mustang and wanted a two-seat car to compete with the Chevy Corvette. In partnering with Shelby-American it was able to accomplish both goals. Shelby-American took a Mustang 2+2 fastback, removed the back seat, and modified the stock 289-cid V8. The 289 motors were used because Ford’s big block V8 engines would not fit into the Mustang’s engine bay. Plus, the small block motors worked best for road racing.
1966 Shelby GT350
With 306 horsepower and 329 lb.-ft. of torque, the Shelby GT350 was Ford’s high-performance Mustang. Important changes to the GT350 for the 1966 model year included functional quarter panel scoops delivering air to the rear brakes, the addition of rear seats, and a change to C-pillar plexiglass windows in place of the previous year’s air vents. An automatic transmission was also available.
1967 Shelby GT500
For 1967, the Shelby GT500 upped the ante on the Chevrolet Corvette by bumping horsepower to 360 from the previous 306 bhp. The 428-cubic-inch V8 was capable of 6.2-second acceleration to 60 mph and a low 14.52-second quarter-mile time, crossing the line at 101.35 mph according to Motor Trend magazine.
1967 Mustang GT390
For those incapable of acquiring a pricey and rare Shelby GT500, there was the Ford Mustang GT390. This 1967 Mustang offered a 390 cubic-inch, 320-horsepower engine. GT upgrades included power front disc brakes, grille-mounted fog lights, dual exhaust with quad chrome outlets, a GT gas cap, rocker panel stripes, and a handling package.
1968 Shelby GT500 KR
According to Ford, the KR designation on the Mustang Shelby GT500 stood for “King of the Road.” However, legend has it that Shelby heard through the grapevine that Chevy was planning on using the moniker on a competing model, so Carroll simply beat them to the punch. Whichever is true, the 1968 GT500 KR was the fastest Shelby car produced to date. Though factory rated at 335 horsepower, it was believed the true horsepower rating was between 435-500.
1968 428 Cobra Jet
With the launch of the Mustang 428 Cobra Jet on April 1, 1968, many enthusiasts were probably waiting for the punch line to the joke. But it wasn’t a joke. Ford built a Mustang with Ram Air induction, naming the result the 428 Cobra Jet. Touted as having 335 horsepower, many thought this number was purposely underestimated to avoid higher insurance premiums. Reportedly, actual output was closer to 400 hp. Visually, the 428 Cobra Jet’s hood scoop and black striping gave it away to passersby. And those who couldn’t row their own gears via the standard four-speed manual could opt for a three-speed automatic transmission.
1969 Boss 429
In 1969, Ford developed a new engine for NASCAR. To meet NASCAR requirements, Ford needed to build a minimum of 500 vehicles equipped with the new engine for sale to the public. Thus, the birth of the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 was ensured. Ford installed this hot new motor in the Mustang because the pony car represented the image they wanted in order to attract younger buyers. Multiple modifications were needed to make the engine fit into the Mustang’s engine bay, but in the end a company called Kar-Kraft custom-built 859 of the 400-horsepower Boss 429s.
1969 Mach 1 428 SCJ
One of the most desirable factory Mustangs was undoubtedly the Mach 1. Though the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 came standard with a 351 Windsor V8, it was also offered with the 428 Cobra Jet powerplants. With Ram Air induction and heavy-duty internals, the Mach 1 428 Super Cobra Jet was rated to develop 335 horsepower and 440 lb.-ft. of torque, continuing the hot rod heritage of the Ford Mustang.
1969 Shelby GT350
Because Ford felt that factory models like the Boss 429 and Mach 1 428 SCJ matched Mustang Shelbys in terms of performance, 1969 was the last year for the Shelby models. The Mustang Shelby GT350 offered a 290-horsepower V8 with National Advisory Committee for Aerodynamics (NACA) hood scoops, a hidden gas filler, and the sport roof from the Mach 1. The front fenders, hood, and trunk lid were made of fiberglass.
1969 Shelby GT500
Looking the same on the outside as its GT350 brother, the 1969 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500’s differences were under the NACA-ducted hood. Offering 335 horsepower and a whopping 440 lb.-ft. of torque, the Shelby GT500 could run to 60 mph in six seconds flat and reach 102 mph in a 14.0-second quarter-mile.
1970 Boss 429
Changes for the 1970 Boss 429 were minimal. For 1970, a wider range of interior colors was available (in addition to the standard black), double headlights switched to a single headlight configuration, and the rear end was slightly restyled. Power and performance remained the same.
1970 Mustang Mach 1
For 1970, the Ford Mustang Mach 1 underwent several changes. New front-end styling was the most notable, including simulated air intakes that replaced the ‘69’s outboard headlights and a change in hood color from matte black to a black stripe. The 1970 Mach 1 still sported the fake hood scoop, though, complemented by new twist-in hood pins. At the rear, the taillights were recessed in a flat panel with honeycomb trim between them. Also notable was the deletion of the fake scoops on the upper quarter panels as well as the addition of ribbed aluminum rocker panels. The 1970 Mach 1’s standard engine was a 351-cid V8 making 250 horsepower.
1970 Mach 1 Twister
After American Raceways, Inc., filed bankruptcy in late 1969, Ford found itself with several vehicles that were undergoing modification to become pace cars. At the same time, the Kansas City regional sales office approached Ford about producing some high-performance Mustangs and Torinos specifically for their region. Ford took advantage of this opportunity, using the intended design of the pace cars combined with Mach 1 logos and, at the rear, a special “twister” logo to create the regional Mach 1 Twister. All 96 of these 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Twisters were painted Grabber Orange and were slated to be equipped with the hi-po 428 Super Cobra Jet engine – but due to a shortage of motors, half of the Mach 1 Twisters came with a 351 Cleveland V8 instead.
1971 Boss 351
The Ford Mustang Boss 351 was produced only in 1971, and with a production run of just 1,806 models, it is a very rare car among Mustangs. Equipped with the 351 Cleveland V8 and producing a factory-rated 330 horsepower, the Boss 351 was capable of acceleration to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and finishing the quarter mile in 13.8 seconds. The downside was that the Boss 351 had gained substantial weight thanks to the Mustang’s redesign, and wasn’t as fast as enthusiasts felt it should have been. As it turned out, 1971 was the final year for the Cobra Jet engines, and it would be a quarter century before another factory Mustang made 300 horsepower thanks to new emissions regulations that took effect in 1972.
1973 Mach 1
The 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 marked the end of an era in two important ways. It was the last year of the muscle-car Mustang design, as well as the last year of the Mustang convertible. Due to the pending gas crisis, buyers were shying away from gas-guzzling performance cars and opting for more economical vehicles. In response, a 250-cid six-cylinder engine was offered in the Mach 1 for 1973. Also, due to new government regulations, it was the last year that Ford would produce a Mustang convertible until 1983. Also gone were the monster engines of past years, although a 351 V8 making a weak 156 horsepower was still available.
1978 King Cobra
Trying to attract buyers in what was left of the muscle car marketplace, Ford launched the King Cobra. The King Cobra added garish spoilers, flares, air dams, and decals to the undesirable Mustang II hatchback. Power came from a pathetic 139 horsepower, 302-cid V8 engine drinking through a small 2-barrel carburetor. With just 500 King Cobras ever produced, they are extremely rare but are scorned by true Mustang enthusiasts.
1984 SVO
On the twentieth anniversary of the Mustang, Ford announced two exciting new models to celebrate the occasion. One was a Mustang GT equipped with a more powerful 5.0-liter V8, and the other was a turbocharged, intercooled, fuel-injected four-cylinder model called the Mustang SVO. Developed by Ford’s Special Vehicle Operations team, an in-house skunk works whose mission was to make smaller and more efficient cars go faster, the Mustang SVO didn’t disappoint enthusiasts. Though producing just 175 horsepower, the SVO won over the automotive press. Easily recognizable by its functional hood scoop and a somewhat controversial double wing at the rear of the car, the SVO lasted until 1986.
1994 SVT Cobra
Sporting a major redesign, the 1994 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra became the third Mustang to pace the track at the Indianapolis 500. The red-over-tan Cobra convertible used to pace the race was powered by a modified 5.0-liter V8 producing 240 horsepower. Only one thousand replicas of the pace car were ever produced.
2000 SVT Cobra R
With the introduction of the street-legal Cobra R racing car, Ford continued to raise the stakes in the horsepower arena. The Cobra R was built to go fast and handle brilliantly, and was fitted with brakes that could reign in all that performance when needed. Acceleration to 60 mph took a mere 4.7 seconds, and the Cobra R covered the quarter mile in 13.2 seconds at 110 mph. The purpose-built car, which eschewed sound insulation, air conditioning, and a stereo system to keep weight down, featured a 385-horsepower motor and a highly-modified track-ready suspension featuring Bilstein gas shocks, heavy-duty Eibach springs and large stabilizer bars.
2002 SVT Cobra
After the missing horsepower debacle of 1999 and an unscheduled hiatus for 2000, there weren’t many changes made to the much-improved SVT Mustang Cobra between 2001 and 2004. Most notable was a significant horsepower increase from 320 horsepower in 2001 to 390 horsepower starting in 2002. All models were available in either coupe or convertible format, and this generation Cobra is notable for its independent rear suspension – the only factory Mustang ever equipped with an IRS.
2003 Mach 1
Ford has a habit of resurrecting famed models of the past and recreating them for the present by simply adding scoops and decals to existing cars. With the introduction of the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1, that didn’t happen. The modern Mach 1 lives up to the original’s reputation, and exudes the same good looks. Under the genuine shaker hood lurks a 32-valve, 4.6-liter V8 producing 305 tire-smoking horsepower. Though an automatic transmission was offered, no purist would even think about going without the standard five-speed manual transmission. Ford also replaced the standard Mustang GT brakes with Brembo equipment sporting 13-inch rotors up front to pull the Mach 1 down from high speeds.
2005 Mustang GT
Redesigned from the ground up for 2005, the Ford Mustang went retro inside and out, recalling styling themes from the fabled 1960s models that originally made the car a hit. The Mustang GT featured a 4.6-liter V8, and was the least expensive 300-horsepower car on the market when it debuted.
In 1965, Ford was looking for a performance version of the Mustang and wanted a two-seat car to compete with the Chevy Corvette. In partnering with Shelby-American it was able to accomplish both goals. Shelby-American took a Mustang 2+2 fastback, removed the back seat, and modified the stock 289-cid V8. The 289 motors were used because Ford’s big block V8 engines would not fit into the Mustang’s engine bay. Plus, the small block motors worked best for road racing.
1966 Shelby GT350
With 306 horsepower and 329 lb.-ft. of torque, the Shelby GT350 was Ford’s high-performance Mustang. Important changes to the GT350 for the 1966 model year included functional quarter panel scoops delivering air to the rear brakes, the addition of rear seats, and a change to C-pillar plexiglass windows in place of the previous year’s air vents. An automatic transmission was also available.
1967 Shelby GT500
For 1967, the Shelby GT500 upped the ante on the Chevrolet Corvette by bumping horsepower to 360 from the previous 306 bhp. The 428-cubic-inch V8 was capable of 6.2-second acceleration to 60 mph and a low 14.52-second quarter-mile time, crossing the line at 101.35 mph according to Motor Trend magazine.
1967 Mustang GT390
For those incapable of acquiring a pricey and rare Shelby GT500, there was the Ford Mustang GT390. This 1967 Mustang offered a 390 cubic-inch, 320-horsepower engine. GT upgrades included power front disc brakes, grille-mounted fog lights, dual exhaust with quad chrome outlets, a GT gas cap, rocker panel stripes, and a handling package.
1968 Shelby GT500 KR
According to Ford, the KR designation on the Mustang Shelby GT500 stood for “King of the Road.” However, legend has it that Shelby heard through the grapevine that Chevy was planning on using the moniker on a competing model, so Carroll simply beat them to the punch. Whichever is true, the 1968 GT500 KR was the fastest Shelby car produced to date. Though factory rated at 335 horsepower, it was believed the true horsepower rating was between 435-500.
1968 428 Cobra Jet
With the launch of the Mustang 428 Cobra Jet on April 1, 1968, many enthusiasts were probably waiting for the punch line to the joke. But it wasn’t a joke. Ford built a Mustang with Ram Air induction, naming the result the 428 Cobra Jet. Touted as having 335 horsepower, many thought this number was purposely underestimated to avoid higher insurance premiums. Reportedly, actual output was closer to 400 hp. Visually, the 428 Cobra Jet’s hood scoop and black striping gave it away to passersby. And those who couldn’t row their own gears via the standard four-speed manual could opt for a three-speed automatic transmission.
1969 Boss 429
In 1969, Ford developed a new engine for NASCAR. To meet NASCAR requirements, Ford needed to build a minimum of 500 vehicles equipped with the new engine for sale to the public. Thus, the birth of the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 was ensured. Ford installed this hot new motor in the Mustang because the pony car represented the image they wanted in order to attract younger buyers. Multiple modifications were needed to make the engine fit into the Mustang’s engine bay, but in the end a company called Kar-Kraft custom-built 859 of the 400-horsepower Boss 429s.
1969 Mach 1 428 SCJ
One of the most desirable factory Mustangs was undoubtedly the Mach 1. Though the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 came standard with a 351 Windsor V8, it was also offered with the 428 Cobra Jet powerplants. With Ram Air induction and heavy-duty internals, the Mach 1 428 Super Cobra Jet was rated to develop 335 horsepower and 440 lb.-ft. of torque, continuing the hot rod heritage of the Ford Mustang.
1969 Shelby GT350
Because Ford felt that factory models like the Boss 429 and Mach 1 428 SCJ matched Mustang Shelbys in terms of performance, 1969 was the last year for the Shelby models. The Mustang Shelby GT350 offered a 290-horsepower V8 with National Advisory Committee for Aerodynamics (NACA) hood scoops, a hidden gas filler, and the sport roof from the Mach 1. The front fenders, hood, and trunk lid were made of fiberglass.
1969 Shelby GT500
Looking the same on the outside as its GT350 brother, the 1969 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500’s differences were under the NACA-ducted hood. Offering 335 horsepower and a whopping 440 lb.-ft. of torque, the Shelby GT500 could run to 60 mph in six seconds flat and reach 102 mph in a 14.0-second quarter-mile.
1970 Boss 429
Changes for the 1970 Boss 429 were minimal. For 1970, a wider range of interior colors was available (in addition to the standard black), double headlights switched to a single headlight configuration, and the rear end was slightly restyled. Power and performance remained the same.
1970 Mustang Mach 1
For 1970, the Ford Mustang Mach 1 underwent several changes. New front-end styling was the most notable, including simulated air intakes that replaced the ‘69’s outboard headlights and a change in hood color from matte black to a black stripe. The 1970 Mach 1 still sported the fake hood scoop, though, complemented by new twist-in hood pins. At the rear, the taillights were recessed in a flat panel with honeycomb trim between them. Also notable was the deletion of the fake scoops on the upper quarter panels as well as the addition of ribbed aluminum rocker panels. The 1970 Mach 1’s standard engine was a 351-cid V8 making 250 horsepower.
1970 Mach 1 Twister
After American Raceways, Inc., filed bankruptcy in late 1969, Ford found itself with several vehicles that were undergoing modification to become pace cars. At the same time, the Kansas City regional sales office approached Ford about producing some high-performance Mustangs and Torinos specifically for their region. Ford took advantage of this opportunity, using the intended design of the pace cars combined with Mach 1 logos and, at the rear, a special “twister” logo to create the regional Mach 1 Twister. All 96 of these 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Twisters were painted Grabber Orange and were slated to be equipped with the hi-po 428 Super Cobra Jet engine – but due to a shortage of motors, half of the Mach 1 Twisters came with a 351 Cleveland V8 instead.
1971 Boss 351
The Ford Mustang Boss 351 was produced only in 1971, and with a production run of just 1,806 models, it is a very rare car among Mustangs. Equipped with the 351 Cleveland V8 and producing a factory-rated 330 horsepower, the Boss 351 was capable of acceleration to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and finishing the quarter mile in 13.8 seconds. The downside was that the Boss 351 had gained substantial weight thanks to the Mustang’s redesign, and wasn’t as fast as enthusiasts felt it should have been. As it turned out, 1971 was the final year for the Cobra Jet engines, and it would be a quarter century before another factory Mustang made 300 horsepower thanks to new emissions regulations that took effect in 1972.
1973 Mach 1
The 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 marked the end of an era in two important ways. It was the last year of the muscle-car Mustang design, as well as the last year of the Mustang convertible. Due to the pending gas crisis, buyers were shying away from gas-guzzling performance cars and opting for more economical vehicles. In response, a 250-cid six-cylinder engine was offered in the Mach 1 for 1973. Also, due to new government regulations, it was the last year that Ford would produce a Mustang convertible until 1983. Also gone were the monster engines of past years, although a 351 V8 making a weak 156 horsepower was still available.
1978 King Cobra
Trying to attract buyers in what was left of the muscle car marketplace, Ford launched the King Cobra. The King Cobra added garish spoilers, flares, air dams, and decals to the undesirable Mustang II hatchback. Power came from a pathetic 139 horsepower, 302-cid V8 engine drinking through a small 2-barrel carburetor. With just 500 King Cobras ever produced, they are extremely rare but are scorned by true Mustang enthusiasts.
1984 SVO
On the twentieth anniversary of the Mustang, Ford announced two exciting new models to celebrate the occasion. One was a Mustang GT equipped with a more powerful 5.0-liter V8, and the other was a turbocharged, intercooled, fuel-injected four-cylinder model called the Mustang SVO. Developed by Ford’s Special Vehicle Operations team, an in-house skunk works whose mission was to make smaller and more efficient cars go faster, the Mustang SVO didn’t disappoint enthusiasts. Though producing just 175 horsepower, the SVO won over the automotive press. Easily recognizable by its functional hood scoop and a somewhat controversial double wing at the rear of the car, the SVO lasted until 1986.
1994 SVT Cobra
Sporting a major redesign, the 1994 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra became the third Mustang to pace the track at the Indianapolis 500. The red-over-tan Cobra convertible used to pace the race was powered by a modified 5.0-liter V8 producing 240 horsepower. Only one thousand replicas of the pace car were ever produced.
2000 SVT Cobra R
With the introduction of the street-legal Cobra R racing car, Ford continued to raise the stakes in the horsepower arena. The Cobra R was built to go fast and handle brilliantly, and was fitted with brakes that could reign in all that performance when needed. Acceleration to 60 mph took a mere 4.7 seconds, and the Cobra R covered the quarter mile in 13.2 seconds at 110 mph. The purpose-built car, which eschewed sound insulation, air conditioning, and a stereo system to keep weight down, featured a 385-horsepower motor and a highly-modified track-ready suspension featuring Bilstein gas shocks, heavy-duty Eibach springs and large stabilizer bars.
2002 SVT Cobra
After the missing horsepower debacle of 1999 and an unscheduled hiatus for 2000, there weren’t many changes made to the much-improved SVT Mustang Cobra between 2001 and 2004. Most notable was a significant horsepower increase from 320 horsepower in 2001 to 390 horsepower starting in 2002. All models were available in either coupe or convertible format, and this generation Cobra is notable for its independent rear suspension – the only factory Mustang ever equipped with an IRS.
2003 Mach 1
Ford has a habit of resurrecting famed models of the past and recreating them for the present by simply adding scoops and decals to existing cars. With the introduction of the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1, that didn’t happen. The modern Mach 1 lives up to the original’s reputation, and exudes the same good looks. Under the genuine shaker hood lurks a 32-valve, 4.6-liter V8 producing 305 tire-smoking horsepower. Though an automatic transmission was offered, no purist would even think about going without the standard five-speed manual transmission. Ford also replaced the standard Mustang GT brakes with Brembo equipment sporting 13-inch rotors up front to pull the Mach 1 down from high speeds.
2005 Mustang GT
Redesigned from the ground up for 2005, the Ford Mustang went retro inside and out, recalling styling themes from the fabled 1960s models that originally made the car a hit. The Mustang GT featured a 4.6-liter V8, and was the least expensive 300-horsepower car on the market when it debuted.
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Corporation