3 Of The Best and 3 Of The Worst Ford Mustangs Ever Produced
The Ford Mustang stands as an American automotive icon, with a legacy spanning six decades of production. Since its debut in 1964, this legendary pony car has experienced incredible highs and disappointing lows. Whether you’re a dedicated Mustang enthusiast or simply appreciate automotive history, understanding which models represent the pinnacle of Mustang engineering—and which fell short of expectations—offers valuable insight into this iconic nameplate’s evolution.
1. Best: 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback
The 1968 Mustang GT Fastback represents everything that made the first-generation Mustang legendary. Immortalized by Steve McQueen in the film “Bullitt,” this Highland Green beauty cemented the Mustang’s status as an American icon both domestically and internationally.
With its muscular stance, flowing fastback roofline, and potent 390 cubic-inch V8 engine producing 325 horsepower, the ’68 GT Fastback perfectly balanced style and performance. The car’s timeless design elements—including its distinctive side scoops, aggressive hood, and triple-element taillights—continue to influence Mustang styling today.
The cultural impact of this particular Mustang cannot be overstated. In 2020, according to Car and Driver, one of the original Bullitt movie cars sold for an astounding $3.74 million at auction, making it the most expensive Mustang ever sold.
2. Best: 2000 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra R
The 2000 SVT Mustang Cobra R stands as perhaps the most track-focused Mustang ever produced. Limited to just 300 units, this race-ready beast was built specifically for dominating circuits rather than cruising boulevards.
Under its vented hood, the Cobra R’s hand-built 5.4-liter V8 produced 385 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque—impressive figures for the era. What truly set the Cobra R apart was its comprehensive performance package: Brembo brakes, Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs, a Tremec T-56 six-speed manual transmission, and most notably, an independent rear suspension (a Mustang first).
The Cobra R’s functional aerodynamic elements, including its aggressive front splitter and tall rear wing, weren’t just for show—they provided genuine downforce at high speeds. As MotorTrend notes, the Cobra R set the standard for future high-performance Mustangs, establishing that these cars could excel in straight-line acceleration, handling, and braking.
3. Best: 2016-2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350/GT350R
The Shelby GT350 and its more track-focused GT350R sibling represent the pinnacle of naturally aspirated Mustang performance. These modern masterpieces picked up where the previous-generation Boss 302 left off, taking the Mustang’s track capabilities to unprecedented heights.
Their heart made these Shelbys truly special—the “Voodoo” 5.2-liter flat-plane crank V8. This engineering marvel produced 526 horsepower and revved to an astounding 8,250 rpm, creating a distinctive, Ferrari-like howl unlike any Mustang before it. The GT350R variant added carbon fiber wheels, aerodynamic enhancements, and a more focused suspension setup.
Car and Driver praised these models for their “suspension wizardry” and noted, “there’s nothing out there that sounds and feels quite like these two Shelbys do.” Their perfect blend of raw power, precise handling, and emotional engagement makes them among the most celebrated Mustangs ever produced.
4. Worst: 1974-1978 Ford Mustang II
The second-generation Mustang, commonly known as the Mustang II, represents the nadir of the nameplate’s history. Debuting during the 1973 oil crisis, this Pinto-based compact was a dramatic departure from the muscular first-generation models.
The Mustang II’s problems began with its underpinnings—the humble Ford Pinto platform—and continued with its anemic powertrains. The 1974 model year didn’t even offer a V8 option, and when the 5.0-liter V8 finally arrived in 1975, it produced a mere 139 horsepower—a shadow of its predecessors’ capabilities.
As SlashGear notes, “Based on a Pinto chassis with design cues seemingly taken from the AMC Gremlin,” the Mustang II failed to capture the essence of what made the original so special. Despite winning Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award in 1974 and selling reasonably well, the Mustang II is universally regarded as the least desirable Mustang generation among enthusiasts.
5. Worst: 1984½ Ford Mustang 20th Anniversary GT350
For the Mustang’s 20th anniversary, Ford made the questionable decision to resurrect the hallowed GT350 nameplate—a designation previously reserved for Carroll Shelby’s high-performance creations—for what amounted to little more than a cosmetic package.
The “1984½” Mustang 20th Anniversary GT350 featured white paint with red interior trim and GT350 decals, but lacked the performance credentials worthy of the name. Most were equipped with the turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine rather than a V8, further diluting the GT350 legacy.
According to MotorTrend, “Carroll Shelby was understandably unhappy about the naming ‘coincidence.'” After producing 5,260 units, Ford discontinued this controversial model, but the damage to the GT350 name had been done. It would take decades before Ford would dare to use the designation again.
6. Worst: 2019-2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt
While the 2019-2020 Mustang Bullitt wasn’t a bad car by any objective measure, it is one of the most disappointing special editions in Mustang history, particularly compared to its 2008 predecessor.
The 2008 Bullitt Mustang featured meaningful performance upgrades, including a strut tower brace, sportier engine and suspension tuning, and exhaust modifications. By contrast, the 2019-2020 version offered primarily cosmetic changes and a modest 20-horsepower bump over the standard GT.
Most disappointingly, as Car and Driver points out, the Bullitt was slower to 60 mph and through the quarter-mile than the regular Mustang GT despite the power increase. The option to purchase it in black (rather than the iconic Highland Green) further diluted its connection to the famous movie car.
The Mustang Legacy Continues
The Ford Mustang’s six-decade journey has been marked by both triumphant successes and disappointing missteps. From the iconic 1968 GT Fastback to the track-dominating Shelby GT350R, the best Mustangs have combined distinctive styling with exhilarating performance. Conversely, models like the underpowered Mustang II remind us that even legendary nameplates can lose their way when straying too far from their core identity.
As the Mustang enters its seventh generation in 2024, it remains the only pony car in continuous production since the muscle car era began. This remarkable longevity speaks to Ford’s ability to learn from both its successes and failures, continuously refining and reinventing this automotive icon for new generations of enthusiasts.
What’s your favorite Mustang model of all time? Have you owned any of these best or worst examples? Share your Mustang experiences in the comments below!
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Travis Campbell is a digital marketer/developer with over 10 years of experience and a writer for over 6 years. He holds a degree in E-commerce and likes to share life advice he’s learned over the years. Travis loves spending time on the golf course or at the gym when he’s not working.