5 Of The Fastest Mustangs Of All Time
With news that the Mustang GTD is heading to the Nurburgring later this summer, why not take a peek at some of the fastest Mustangs ever produced?
Luckily, Ford gathered some of its most successful Mustang road racers to celebrate the car's 60th anniversary earlier this year.
1965 SCCA B Production Mustang GT350:
In 1964, Ford embarked on an ambitious "Total Performance" campaign, significantly expanding its presence in racing. However, the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) was reluctant to simply allow the Mustang to enter the series. To overcome this, Ford enlisted Shelby American to navigate the homologation process with the SCCA.
Shelby American made several key upgrades to the Mustang fastback, enhancing the suspension and brakes, removing the rear seat, and incorporating the K-Code 289 HI-PO V8 engine. These modifications led to the creation of the GT350. In 1965, Jerry Titus drove the GT350 to victory, sweeping the SCCA B-Production championship and securing three consecutive championships.
The GT350's success solidified Ford's racing reputation and demonstrated the Mustang's performance capabilities, marking a significant milestone in Ford's racing history.
1970 Mustang Boss 302:
In the 1970 SCCA Trans-Am season, the Bud Moore team achieved significant success with drivers Parnelli Jones and George Follmer. Competing in the over 2-litre sedan series, the team secured six race wins, leading to the manufacturer's title for Ford. Parnelli Jones also claimed the driver's championship in the Boss 302 Mustang. This dominance highlighted the performance and competitiveness of the Boss 302 Mustang, further establishing Ford's prominence in motorsport.
1985 Roush IMSA Mustang:
The Roush Mustang GTO capped off the 1984 IMSA season with a victory at Daytona, driven by Willie T. Ribbs and Wally Dallenbach Jr. This triumph set the stage for a remarkable 1985 season. The Mustang went on to win nine IMSA races that year, with John Jones securing the driver’s championship. Notably, Lynn St. James won three races, making her the first woman to win in the series, and contributing significantly to Ford's manufacturer’s championship. This period marked a significant achievement for Ford in IMSA racing, highlighting the Mustang's performance and breaking new ground in motorsport history.
1997 Mustang Cobra Trans-Am:
The 1997 SCCA Trans-Am season was dominated by the Ford Mustang. Tommy Kendall drove his Roush All Sport Mustang Cobra to an impressive 11 consecutive victories, securing the driver’s championship for the third straight season. Mike Borkowski also contributed to the Mustang's success by winning the final two races of the season. This clean sweep underscored the Mustang's superiority, establishing it as the undisputed champion of the series.
2024 Ford Mustang GT3:
The new Mustang GT3 race car has begun to make its mark in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. It debuted earlier this year, powered by a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine, this race car is designed to deliver exceptional performance and durability on the track. Built by Multimatic, the GT3 aims to continue Ford's legacy of racing excellence, competing fiercely in the GTD PRO class and bringing the Mustang's storied racing history into a new era. Look for the Mustang's first appearance at Le Mans next month!
This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.
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