Some Fords were built to last. Others were built to fly. This article takes a look at the fastest production Fords ever made—no race cars, no concepts, just road-legal missiles that could light up the highway or embarrass cars twice their price. From ’60s muscle to modern-day supercars, Ford’s lineup has always had a few outliers that pushed the speed limit—and then some.
Whether you’re into analog V8s, twin-turbo V6s, or street-legal rally beasts, Ford’s history is packed with machines that didn’t just look fast—they backed it up with real numbers. Here are 10 of the quickest to ever wear the badge.
2017 Ford GT
The 2017 Ford GT was engineered with one thing in mind: top-end speed. With a 3.5L twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 cranking out 647 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque, it could hit a verified 216 mph. That’s no small feat for a car born out of a Le Mans comeback story.
Carbon fiber everything kept the weight down, while active aero helped it stay planted. Built in Canada by Multimatic, this second-gen GT wasn’t just fast—it was a precision tool. Limited to around 1,350 units, it’s already locked into collector status.
2020 Shelby GT500
The 2020 GT500 is what happens when Ford throws down. With a 5.2L supercharged V8 nicknamed “Predator,” it churns out 760 hp and 625 lb-ft of torque. Zero to 60 takes just 3.3 seconds, and it’ll run the quarter in under 11.
Top speed is electronically capped at 180 mph, but it’s the acceleration that really punches. No manual here—only a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox that shifts faster than you can blink. It’s the most powerful Mustang ever built and one of the fastest factory Fords, period.
2005 Ford GT
When Ford brought back the GT in 2005, they did it right. Powered by a 5.4L supercharged V8 pushing 550 horsepower and 500 lb-ft, it could hit 205 mph. That wasn’t just fast for the time—it was Ferrari-fighting territory.
The car was built as a tribute to the original GT40 and had a production run of just over 4,000 units. With a 6-speed manual, aluminum chassis, and minimal driver aids, it’s pure analog speed. Values have only gone up, and for good reason.
2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Don’t let the retro badge fool you—the 2022 Mach 1 is no nostalgia trip. It uses a naturally aspirated 5.0L V8 making 480 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Top speed? A legitimate 168 mph with the right package.
It borrows cooling and suspension components from the GT350 and GT500, so it’s more track-capable than any base GT. Offered with either a 6-speed Tremec manual or a 10-speed auto, it bridges the gap between old-school muscle and modern control.
2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
The 2013 GT500 was a monster for its time. It packed a 5.8L supercharged V8 with 662 horsepower and 631 lb-ft of torque—making it the most powerful production Mustang up to that point. Top speed? A verified 202 mph.
This car was still rowed with a 6-speed manual, making the speed even more raw. Ford wasn’t just chasing numbers—they were gunning for the ZR1 and Ferrari 599. And for a while, this Shelby stood at the top of the American horsepower mountain.
1987 Ford Mustang LX 5.0
The 1987 Mustang LX 5.0 wasn’t the fastest car on this list, but for the era, it was a bargain rocket. The lightweight LX trim, combined with the 5.0L V8 making 225 hp and 300 lb-ft, made it one of the quickest cars under $15K.
Top speed hovered around 140 mph, but it was the way it got there that made it fun. Simple, cheap, and easy to mod, it laid the groundwork for a whole generation of street racers and weekend warriors.
2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt
The Bullitt Mustang wasn’t just a marketing nod—it had real speed behind the Highland Green paint. Based on the GT with performance tweaks, it delivered 480 hp from its 5.0L V8 and topped out at 163 mph.
You got a 6-speed manual with a cue-ball shifter, active exhaust, and Brembo brakes, all wrapped in a cleaner, badgeless design. It was the closest thing Ford built to a sleeper in the modern era, with enough grunt to back up its movie star name.
1984 Ford RS200 Evolution
Built to homologate Ford’s entry into Group B rally, the RS200 Evolution was technically street legal—and extremely fast. Its mid-mounted 2.1L turbocharged four-cylinder pumped out 600+ horsepower in Evolution spec. Top speed? 140+ mph depending on gearing.
It had a composite body, AWD, and a brutal power-to-weight ratio. Fewer than 150 were built, making it rare and deadly quick. It may have been short-lived, but its legend has outlasted the entire Group B era.
1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R
The ’93 SVT Cobra R was Ford’s farewell to the Fox Body and a track-focused swan song. Powered by a 5.0L V8 rated at 235 horsepower and 280 lb-ft, it wasn’t the most powerful Mustang, but it was one of the best sorted.
No A/C, no radio, and no back seat. Just weight savings and upgraded suspension to go with 5-lug wheels and bigger brakes. It ran up to 140 mph, but it was more about what it could do between the cones. Only 107 were made.
2019 Ford Edge ST
It’s not a muscle car, but it’s a fast Ford worth noting. The 2019 Edge ST packed a 2.7L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 with 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. That pushed this midsize SUV to a top speed of 143 mph—serious business for a family hauler.
It came with standard AWD, sport-tuned suspension, and paddle shifters. Sure, it wasn’t a Mustang or a GT, but it showed Ford could make even a crossover scoot when they wanted to. A rare case of speed in a practical wrapper.
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*Created with AI assistance and editor review.
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