For over 60 years, the Ford Mustang has been at the heart of American car culture. Unlike many of its rivals, the Mustang never left production, evolving with the times while staying true to its performance roots. Whether you grew up wrenching on Fox-bodies, watching Steve McQueen tear through San Francisco, or eyeing the latest Dark Horse at the dealership, there’s a Mustang for every kind of enthusiast.
We’ve taken a look at Mustang history by the decade, highlighting two key models in each era: the attention-grabbing “Show Pony” and the underrated “Dark Horse.” This is your guide to the best Mustangs for collectors, daily drivers, and dreamers alike.
1960s
Show Pony: 1966 Shelby GT350
The ’66 GT350 turned heads and made noise. Shelby expanded the model’s appeal with more colors, an optional automatic, and even a Paxton supercharger. Nearly half of them were sent to Hertz for the legendary “Rent-A-Racer” program. Built for speed and style, it’s a top-tier collectible today.
Dark Horse: 1968 “Bullitt” Mustang
Steve McQueen made the Highland Green fastback iconic in Bullitt. It wasn’t a race car—it was a cop’s street machine. Simple, clean, and ready to run, the Bullitt Mustang left a lasting mark, inspiring multiple tribute models and driving collector demand sky-high.
1970s
Show Pony: 1970 Boss 302
Born for Trans Am racing, the Boss 302 was light, nimble, and aggressive. It wasn’t the biggest or baddest in the showroom, but it was the best around a track. Built with competition in mind, it’s still one of the most respected muscle Mustangs ever.
Dark Horse: 1976 Cobra II
Sure, it was built on the smaller Mustang II platform, but the Cobra II had presence. Flashy stripes, a V8 under the hood, and a low price point made it a hit during tough economic times. Today, it’s an affordable classic Mustang with a growing fan base.
1980s
Show Pony: 1987 Mustang GT 5.0
This was the Mustang that brought power back to the people. The 5.0 V8 was quick, loud, and easy to upgrade. It became a street legend, appeared in music videos, and dominated stoplight drag races. For many, this was their first taste of real American performance.
Dark Horse: 1984.5 Mustang SVO
Turbocharged, tuned for balance, and built with European finesse, the SVO was ahead of its time. It wasn’t cheap, which kept sales low, but today it’s one of the most unique Fox Body Mustangs you can own. Great handling, lightweight, and turbo-four fun.
1990s
Show Pony: 1993 Mustang Cobra R
Ford took everything it had learned from racing Fox Bodies and put it into the ’93 Cobra R. Bigger brakes, stiffer suspension, no back seat—it was a no-frills track car from the factory. Only 107 were made, making it one of the rarest and most desirable Mustangs ever built.
Dark Horse: 1994-1995 Mustang GT 5.0
The SN95 brought fresh looks but kept the trusted 5.0L V8. These years are often overlooked, but they’re reliable, easy to modify, and still affordable. A great entry point for anyone looking to get into classic Mustangs without breaking the bank.
2000s
Show Pony: 2003 Mustang SVT Cobra “Terminator”
The Terminator Cobra was Ford’s mic-drop moment. Supercharged, underrated at 390 hp, and built tough, it could outrun just about anything in its price range. Even today, it’s a high-performance bargain with massive tuning potential.
Dark Horse: 2007 Mustang GT/CS Convertible
The return of the retro Mustang brought with it this stylish California Special. The GT/CS offered real V8 fun with unique looks and weekend cruiser comfort. It’s still turning heads and holding its value—one of the best daily-drivable Mustangs from the 2000s.
2010s
Show Pony: 2013 GT500 “Trinity”
With 662 horsepower, a 200-mph top speed, and old-school muscle charm, the GT500 set a new benchmark. This was a Mustang that could run with supercars—and still fit a couple car seats in the back. It kicked off the modern pony car horsepower wars.
Dark Horse: 2014 V6 Performance Package
Don’t sleep on the 3.7L V6. With more power than older GTs and a performance pack that included upgraded suspension and brakes, it offered great value. It’s cheap to insure, fun to drive, and surprisingly collectible for a non-V8 Mustang.
2020s
Show Pony: 2025 Mustang Dark Horse
500 horsepower. Rear-wheel drive. Optional 10-speed automatic. The new Dark Horse isn’t just fast—it’s refined, comfortable, and ready for the daily grind or the weekend track day. It’s the most advanced pony car Ford has ever built.
Dark Horse: 2020 Shelby GT350R
The GT350R was the swan song for Ford’s exotic 8250-RPM “Voodoo” V8. With no back seat, sticky tires, and razor-sharp handling, it was made for serious drivers. If you want a Mustang that rewards skill and begs to be pushed, this is it.
Whether you’re hunting for an affordable classic Mustang to restore in your garage, or you’re shopping for a high-performance daily driver, the Mustang’s legacy has something for everyone. From iconic movie cars to underrated performance sleepers, there’s a reason it’s stayed king of the road for six decades.
