The 25 Greatest Mustangs

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Neil Jamieson

The Mustang contains multitudes. Although it’s never radically departed from Lee Iacocca and Donald Frey’s original formula, it has managed, over the decades, to spawn endless variants and attract loyalists of all ages and from all walks of life. It is unapologetically American, yet sells in 146 countries and is the bestselling sports car in the world. And, of course, it’s that magic combination of attainable and aspirational. Steve McQueen and Johnny Hallyday drove Mustangs; maybe your mom or dad did, too.

Every Mustang lover has their favorite. These are the 25 that matter most to us. Think we’re wrong? Tell us why on our new forum, community.hagerty.com.

1964 ½ Mustang

The original. [Read about it here.]

1964 ½ Mustang front three-quarter
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1965 Hi-Po Mustang

The first Mustang with teeth. [Read about it here.]

1965 Hi-Po Mustang side
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1965 Shelby GT350/ GT350R

Enter, Carroll Shelby. [Read about it here.]

1965 Shelby GT350/ GT350R front three-quarter
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1966 Hertz Mustang

The rent-a-Shelby. [Read about it here.]

1966 Hertz Mustang front three-quarter
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1967 Shelby GT500

No replacement for displacement. [Read about it here.]

1967 Shelby GT500 front
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1968 ½ Cobra Jet Mustang

The street racer’s special. [Read about it here.]

1968 ½ Cobra Jet Mustang rear three-quarter
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1968 Bullitt Mustang

The most valuable Mustang, ever. [Read about it here.]

1968 Bullitt Mustang front three-quarter
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1969 Boss 429 Mustang

It’s all about that engine. [Read about it here.]

1969 Boss 429 Mustang front three-quarter
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1970 Boss 302 Trans-Am Mustang

Parnelli Jones’ tour de force. [Read about it here.]

1970 Boss 302 Trans-Am Mustang front three-quarter
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1971 “Eleanor” Mustang

Gone in 60 seconds—but never forgotten. [Read about it here.]

1971 “Eleanor” Mustang front three-quarter
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1971 Boss 351

The Mustang’s last gasp in the muscle car era. [Read about it here.]

1971 Boss 351 front
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1978 Mustang II King Cobra

It kept the flame burning. And who doesn’t love great decals? [Read about it here.]

1978 Mustang II King Cobra front three-quarter
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1982 Mustang GT 5.0L HO

It brought sexy back. [Read about it here.]

1982 Mustang GT 5.0L HO front three-quarter
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1984 Mustang SVO

The European sophisticate. [Read about it here.]

1984 Mustang SVO front three-quarter
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1985 Saleen Mustang

The Fox-Body-era Shelby. [Read about it here.]

1985 Saleen Mustang front three-quarter
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1987 Vanilla Ice 5.0

Admit it: you know the verse. [Read about it here.]

1987 Vanilla Ice 5.0 front three-quarter
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1993 SVT Mustang Cobra R

The ultimate Fox-body. [Read about it here.]

1993 SVT Mustang Cobra R front three-quarter
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1994 Mustang SN95

Our favorite jellybean flavor. [Read about it here.]

1994 Mustang SN95 front three-quarter
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2001 Bullitt GT

The second coming of Steve McQueen. [Read about it here.]

2001 Bullitt GT front three-quarter
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2003 SVT Mustang Cobra Terminator

Supercharged send-off for SN95. [Read about it here.]

2003 SVT Mustang Cobra Terminator rear three-quarter
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2005 Mustang

It’s 1965 all over again. [Read about it here.]

2005 Mustang side
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2012 Boss 302

Two words: side pipes. [Read about it here.]

2012 Boss 302 front
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2013 Shelby GT500

662 horsepower. Need we say more? OK: Carbon-fiber drive-shaft. [Read about it here.]

2013 Shelby GT500 front three-quarter
Neil Jamieson

2015 GT350/GT350R

Flat-plane-crank V-8. You know, like a Ferrari. [Read it here.]

2015 GT350/GT350R
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2020 GT500 CFTP

The most powerful Mustang yet. [Read about it here.]

2020 GT500 CFTP front
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The Camaro

It makes every Mustang better. [Read about it here.]

Camaro illustration
Neil Jamieson
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