When it comes to muscle cars, the first brand name that will come into anyone's mind is Ford. The US automobile behemoth has been producing cars that are loaded with raw power, good looks, and unparalleled performance for years now. Be you a die-hard or just someone who likes the appearance of a well-groomed car, Ford muscle cars have it all for everybody.
Throughout its existence, Ford has developed famous and undiscovered gems that attract enthusiasts seeking speed and powerful styling. This article will examine the most recognizable Ford muscle vehicles by tracing their genealogy through an assessment of both their speed capabilities and the reason they persistently enchant automotive enthusiasts.
The "muscle car" moniker came into vogue in the 1960s to refer to vehicles that were straight-line accelerators whose only concern was to possess big engines. Ford led the way. They bolted their cars, they made them sound offensively loud, and they made them intimidating—everything great about a muscle car.
The 1964 Ford Mustang was the only reliable muscle car. It was cheap, flashy, and sporty-looking. The Mustang was introduced with a bang, and Ford was the muscle car family's overnight sensation.
And let us start with the Ford Mustang, arguably the greatest muscle car of all time. The Mustang hit the market in 1964 and has had a monumental influence on the world of muscle cars. It was an instant success and has been the symbol of American performance since.
The original Mustangs were built with V8 engines that were so powerful, they produced massive horsepower. Ford carried on the tradition of the Mustang by producing a series of different models of the vehicle over the decades.
It's a trip down memory lane to the good old days of muscle cars, and it oozes humongous speed and sensitivity. The Mustang Shelby GT500 is a bull, though well renowned for its enormous horsepower and devilish looks.
What works about Mustangs? Simply because it has the right amount of image, heritage, and performance. It is an adult muscle car that never wandered very far from where it started.
The second most legendary car on the list is the Ford Torino, which was a muscle car built with vision to emphasize power and speed. The Ford Torino was initially built in 1968 and was specifically built to outdo other then-dominating competing muscle cars available on the market for sale. The Ford Torino came with menacing body styling coupled with one of the most powerful engines of the time, i.e., the world-famous 429 Cobra Jet V8.
The Ford Torino GT is most likely the best-known of all. It was gorgeous, quick, and strong, and sported styling that was gorgeous "muscle car"-sounding. The Torino performed well on the race track, too. Its racetrack performance only helped to further establish Ford as a high-performance automobile manufacturer.
Although less renowned than the Mustang, the Torino is one of every muscle car collector's fantasy vehicles. It was among those days in which Ford completely controlled the domain of muscle vehicles.
The Ford Shelby GT350 is among the best of all the muscle cars ever produced. Under the expert hands of car genius designer Carroll Shelby, the GT350 was produced as a sports car. The GT350 was produced in the 1960s and was designed considering only the drivers who would be willing to enhance the driving experience to another dimension.
Behind the hood of the Shelby GT350's engine compartment lay a 289 cubic inch V8 that kicked out over 300 horses. That wouldn't be all that much horsepower these days, but during the 1960s it was more than adequate to make the GT350 a terror of the track.
Shelby GT350's appearance simply would not fade. It even came in stripes, a stubbed-nosed, gaudy smooth look that made it the most attractive muscle car ever built.
While its vintage Shelby GT350 is a dream car for collectors, Ford never lost sight of where it began with newer models of the Shelby GT500 emerging. These vehicles retain the same power and push but with superior technology and a new face.
Another Mustang that must be mentioned here is the Ford Mustang Boss 302. Its street price from 1969 to 1970 was varied, but the Boss 302 was made for the performance buyers who needed a vehicle that not only could be used on the street but that could hold its own on the racetrack as well.