Muscle cars have always been about power—but some didn’t just flex, they flat-out flew. We’re talking factory-built machines that didn’t need a supercharger kit or drag slicks to throw down serious numbers. These were street-legal, showroom-ready rides that could torch the quarter mile and smoke just about anything next to them at a red light. From classic big-block beasts to modern-day monsters pushing four-digit horsepower, these are the fastest factory muscle cars ever built—ranked by pure performance, not hype.

1. 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

The Demon didn’t just break records—it blew them apart. With a supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 cranking out 840 horsepower on race fuel, it ran the quarter mile in 9.65 seconds at 140 mph. That made it the first factory production car banned by NHRA for being too fast without a roll cage.

It came with drag radials, a trans brake, and a front seat delete option. Dodge didn’t build it for daily errands—it built it to embarrass anything lined up next to it.

2. 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

Dodge wasn’t done yet. The Demon 170 took things to another level with 1,025 horsepower when running on E85. It could launch from 0–60 in just 1.66 seconds, making it the quickest production car ever sold.

It’s not just fast for a muscle car—it’s fast, period. NHRA said it could run an 8.91-second quarter mile right out of the box. Street legal, factory-built, and tuned to terrify, this was Dodge’s final sendoff—and they didn’t hold back.

3. 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

The 2020 GT500 came out swinging with a 5.2L supercharged V8 putting down 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque. Ford paired it with a lightning-quick 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, which helped it launch hard and shift faster than most drivers can think.

It hit 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and ran the quarter in the 10s. More than just a drag strip toy, it could corner too—making it the most well-rounded GT500 ever built.

4. 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

Four doors and 707 horsepower? That’s what the Charger Hellcat delivered straight off the showroom floor. Its 6.2L supercharged V8 pushed it from 0–60 in 3.6 seconds, with a top speed over 200 mph.

Despite being a full-size sedan, it didn’t mess around. It could rip the quarter mile in the low 11s, making it the fastest production sedan in the world at the time. It was proof that muscle didn’t need to come in coupe form.

5. 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

Don’t let the badge fool you—the CT5-V Blackwing is a proper muscle machine. It’s powered by a hand-built 6.2L supercharged V8 making 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque. It’ll do 0–60 in 3.4 seconds and top out at over 200 mph.

Even better, you can get it with a 6-speed manual. Cadillac gave this thing a track-ready chassis and Magnetic Ride Control, so it’s fast in a straight line and can actually handle curves.

6. 2013 Ford Shelby GT500

Before the 2020 model showed up, this GT500 was already breaking records. It had a 5.8L supercharged V8 making 662 horsepower and 631 lb-ft of torque—the most powerful V8 in any muscle car at the time.

It could hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and top out at 200 mph. With a traditional 6-speed manual and rear-wheel drive, it delivered old-school muscle with modern numbers. Ford wasn’t playing around.

7. 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10

Some might call the Viper a supercar, but it’s muscle at heart. The 2006 SRT-10 packed an 8.3L V10 with 510 horsepower and 535 lb-ft of torque. It did 0–60 in 3.9 seconds and could run the quarter mile in 11.7.

What set the Viper apart was the no-frills approach—no traction control, no fluff, just raw power and a manual transmission. It didn’t care about being refined. It just wanted to go fast.

8. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6

Back in the day, the LS6 Chevelle SS was the king of the street. Its 454 cubic-inch V8 was officially rated at 450 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, though real numbers were likely higher.

It could run the quarter in the low 13s right off the lot, which was insane for 1970. It had the look, the sound, and the power to back up all the hype—and it’s still one of the most feared classics on the road.

9. 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV

The Ram Air IV version of the GTO Judge was Pontiac at full throttle. Its 400 cubic-inch V8 made 370 horsepower and had a high-lift cam, aluminum intake, and free-breathing heads that liked to rev.

It ran the quarter mile in the low 13s with slicks and could outpace many bigger-displacement rivals. It was loud, colorful, and made to stand out—not just in looks, but in performance too.

10. 1966 Shelby GT350

This was the start of something serious. The original GT350 came with a high-revving 289 V8, tuned by Carroll Shelby to make 306 horsepower. That might not sound wild today, but the car only weighed 2,800 pounds.

It ran 0–60 in about 6.5 seconds and could run a quarter in the low 14s. But it wasn’t just a drag car—it handled, braked, and carved corners, giving American muscle its first real taste of race-ready attitude.

*This article was hand crafted with AI-powered tools and has been car-fully, I mean carefully, reviewed by our editors.