12 Rarest Ford Muscle Cars Ever Made

Ford muscle cars are super popular because of their power and cool designs, but some are so rare that collectors go crazy trying to find them. Let's look closely at the 12 rarest Ford muscle cars ever made in history, but the number one on the list has some exceptional traits. Number 12, 1970 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase 3. The 1970 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase 3 is a true legend in muscle cars, and only 300 beauties were made. Ford Australia developed this car to dominate the local racing scene, especially aimed at the famous Bathurst 500 race. At the heart of the GTHO Phase 3 is a powerful 351 cubic inch V8 engine, cranking out an impressive 300 horsepower. This muscle gives the car a thrilling performance, allowing it to zoom from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 6.4 seconds. At the time, it was the fastest four-door production car in the world. To ensure it could handle the demands of racing, the GTHO Phase 3 received several performance upgrades. It featured a tough suspension system that kept the ride stable, a close ratio four-speed manual transmission for quick gear shifts, and larger brakes for better stopping power. These enhancements ensured that it could tackle the track with confidence. With only limited units produced, the GTHO Phase 3 has become a highly desired collector's item today. Its limited run and success on the racetrack have made it a classic, representing Australia's golden age of muscle cars. Owning a GTHO Phase 3 is not just about having a fast car, it's about owning a piece of automotive history. Hold tight because the next entry is a true legend that has captivated car lovers for generations and will leave you in awe. The 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R is a legendary car that left a big impression as the fastest factory-produced Mustang with only 300 units made. This high-performance beast is powered by a 329 cubic inches V8 engine with 385 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to this impressive engine, the Cobra R can zoom from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 4.4 seconds and race through a quarter mile in 12.9 seconds. With a top speed of 170 miles per hour, it was designed to conquer both the track and the open road. Performance was a top priority for the 2000 Cobra R. It features strong brakes that can bring the car to a complete stop from 60 miles per hour in just 127 feet. Ford removed unnecessary features and comforts to keep things lightweight and agile, focusing solely on performance. Inside the cabin, Recaro Racing seats provide excellent support during those thrilling drives. The outside of the car looks just as impressive, with features like dual side exit exhausts, a front splitter, and a high-mounted rear wing that all help with stability and handling. This striking car was offered exclusively in a bold performance red clear coat. With its limited production, the 2000 SVT Mustang Cobra R has become a prized collector's item. Owning one of these means having a piece of Mustang history that delivers speed and excitement. Please take advantage of the next reveal when we dive into an impressive piece of automotive history waiting to be explored. Number 10 1963 Ford Galaxy 500 Lightweight The 1963 Ford Galaxy 500 Lightweight is a classic car that represents the exciting days of American drag racing. With only 212 units made, this beauty was built by Ford to rule the NHRA Superstock drag racing class, focusing on shedding weight while packing a punch in power. At the heart of the Galaxy, 500 Lightweight is a powerful 427 cubic inch V8 engine that delivers an impressive 425 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. This engine was designed for speed, featuring high-flow cylinder heads, a solid lifter camshaft, and dual 4-barrel carburetors. With a 4-speed manual transmission, this car can go from 0 to 60 mph in just about 6 seconds, which was pretty fast for its time. To keep the weight down, Ford removed all the extras that weren't needed. They used aluminum for the bumpers, hood, and fenders, and even switched to fiberglass for the trunk lid. Inside, comfort took a back seat, as features like sound insulation, heaters, and radios were left out. These changes made the Galaxy about 425 pounds lighter than a standard model, giving it a real edge on the track. The 1963 Ford Galaxy 500 Lightweight is a car and a piece of racing history. Its speed, power, and unique design make it a prized collectible for car enthusiasts and a symbol of the golden age of American muscle. Don't blink because the next entry is set to take your breath away and reignite your passion for these extraordinary machines. But before we proceed, take a second to hit the like button and subscribe to the channel. Number 9. 1964 Ford Thunderbolt The 1964 Ford Thunderbolt is a legendary car known for its incredible power and racing history. With only 127 units made, this limited production vehicle was designed specifically for drag racing, and it quickly gained a reputation for speed and performance. Under the hood, the Thunderbolt boasts a 427 cubic inch V8 engine that pumps out an impressive 425 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. This powerful engine can be paired with a 4-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic transmission, allowing the Thunderbolt to rocket from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. No wonder this car can tackle quarter-mile times in the low 11-second range. Ford made several smart modifications to lighten the Thunderbolt to ensure its dominance on the drag strip. They used fiberglass for the hood and bumpers, swapped out regular windows for lightweight plexiglass, and removed unnecessary interior features. These changes helped the Thunderbolt shed weight, making it even quicker and more agile. On top of its performance, the Thunderbolt features an aggressive style that turns heads wherever it goes. Its combination of raw power, smart engineering, and eye-catching looks make the 1964 Ford Thunderbolt a true icon in the world of muscle cars. For anyone lucky enough to own one, it's more than just a car, it's a piece of racing history. Number 8. 1993 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra R The 1993 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra R is a special car that made a big splash as the first of its kind. It was created to be the ultimate version of the Fox Body Mustang before the new model rolled out in 1994. This car was all about performance, with only 107 units produced. Ford's Special Vehicle Team, SVT, focused on making it fast by stripping away 450 pounds of unnecessary weight and adding the biggest brakes they could fit. At its powerhouse, the Cobra R has a powerful 305 cubic inches Windsor V8 engine that produces 235 horsepower at 4,600 RPM and 280 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM, giving it a compression ratio of 9 ratio, 0 ratio, 1. It can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 5.7 seconds, which is impressive for its time. And when it comes to stopping, it can break from 60 to 0 miles per hour in only 140 feet. One of the standout features of the Cobra R is its heavy-duty brakes. The front has 13-inch Kelsey Hayes vented rotors, while the rear has 10.5-inch vented rotors designed to handle serious performance. This car was built to be a road-legal race car, and some even competed in racing series like the International Motor Sports Association, IAMSA, Firestone Grand Sport Series, and the Sports Car Club of America, SCCA, World Challenge Class B Series. Overall, the 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra R is more than just a car. It's a piece of racing history. Its unique blend of speed, power, and performance makes it a collector's treasure and a true icon among muscle cars. Number seven, 1970 Ford Mustang Twister Special. The 1970 Ford Mustang Twister Special is a cool chapter in the Mustang story, with only 96 units ever made. It all started when American Raceways International, ARI, wanted some Mustang convertibles as pace cars for events. Ford's Special Promotions Division was excited to create special side stripes and graphics for these cars. Unfortunately, when ARI went bankrupt, Ford used the designs for a special promotion in the Kansas City Dealer Sales District instead. Furthermore, these unique cars were named after the tornadoes often hitting the Midwest. Each Mustang Twister Special was painted in a vibrant grabber orange with a sleek black interior. They came with a powerful engine option, a 427ci Super Cobra Jet producing 335 horsepower or a 351 cubic inches of V8 with 300 horsepower. Both engines delivered a strong 380 lbft of torque. With a three-speed automatic transmission, these cars could go from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 5.5 seconds. Beyond this, the Twister Specials also stood out thanks to their stylish black mid-level side stripes and tornado decals on the rear quarter panels. As top-of-the-line Mach 1s, they came packed with features. These included fog lights mounted in the grille, aluminum lower rocker panels, and a black honeycomb rear panel. The competition suspension and a 3.5 traction lock differential helped with handling and performance. They had a deluxe bucket seat setup with molded door panels, a console, woodgrain trim, and a cool three-spoke RimBlow steering wheel. Overall, the 1970 Mustang Twister Special is not just a muscle car. It's a piece of racing history and a true collector's gem. The 1967 Ford Fairlane 500R Code is a rare gem in classic muscle cars with just 57 units produced. Ford's Fairlane lineup was doing well in 1965, but it needed a powerful model to keep up with GM and Chrysler's big hitters. To fix this, they introduced the R-Code option in the middle of the 1966 model year. Before this, the most potent engine in the Fairlane was the 390ci Thunderbird, which produced 320 horsepower. However, it couldn't compete against the mighty Mopar Elephant engines. The R-Code brought a game-changer with its iconic 427 cubic inches side oiler engine. This engine had upgrades including forged pistons, high-flow heads, a hot cam, and dual 4-barrel carburetors. Together, these features cranked out a thrilling 425 horsepower and 480 lbf of torque. The power was sent to the rear wheels through a 4-speed manual transmission and a 3-ratio, 89-ratio, 1-open differential. This allowed the Fairlane 500 to zoom from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. Except these, what made the R-Code even more special was its look. It had a distinctive fiberglass hood scoop that set it apart, along with a dash-mounted tachometer for tracking engine performance. Although its exterior was understated, this car was a powerhouse. The 1967 Ford Fairlane 500 R-Code is a collector's dream and a true classic muscle car. The fun didn't stop there. Get ready for the next ride, where the thrill of speed meets the rich history of legendary muscle cars. Number 5 – 1980 Ford M81 McLaren Mustang The Ford M81. McLaren Mustang is one of the rarest Mustangs ever made, with only 10 units produced. After the Mustang II era, Ford wanted to show that the Mustang was back in the high-performance game, and teaming up with McLaren was a great way to do it. While many people might not think of McLaren when they hear about Ford, this partnership has a history. Bruce McLaren, the founder of McLaren Performance, was one of the drivers who helped Ford achieve a legendary 1-2-3 finish at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. Although Bruce passed away before 1980, McLaren Performance continued his legacy by making high-quality performance cars. Despite this, during the Mustang II years, Ford focused more on fuel efficiency, offering a lineup of four-cylinder Mustangs. But with the introduction of the third generation, they aimed to combine fuel efficiency with real performance. The McLaren M81 was designed to unlock the full potential of the 140 cubic inches turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which Ford had been marketing as a performance option. The M81, designed by Todd Gerstenberger and Harry Wykes, took the base four-cylinder engine and tuned it for more power. It included variable boost control that could adjust from 5 to 11 PSM. The car also had a spoiler, hood scoops, fender flares, an upgraded suspension, and 15-inch German BBS alloy wheels. With these modifications, the M81 reached an impressive 175 horsepower, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 9.76 seconds. Despite receiving great reviews, only 10 out of the planned 250 McLaren M81 units were built. While Ford's Special Vehicle Operations, SVO, department is often credited with the M81, their decision ultimately ended the production of this unique Mustang. Number four, 1970 Ford Torino King Cobra. The 1970 Ford Torino King Cobra is a legendary car with only three units ever made. It was designed to compete against the powerful 426 Hemi engines found in Dodge Charger Daytonas and Plymouth Superbirds in the NASCAR racing series. Ford's president, Bunky Knudsen, wanted a car to take on these fierce competitors, so he turned to the talented designer, Larry Shinoda, and his team to make it happen. To create this speed machine, they built three prototypes of the King Cobra. Each came with a different big block engine, a Boss 429, a 429 CobraJet, and a 429 SuperCobraJet. During early testing at Daytona, these King Cobras impressed everyone by easily reaching over 200 mph. However, as testing continued, they found some issues that needed fixing. Unfortunately, the racing rules changed before they could make them and turn the cars into street-legal models, something NASCAR requires. When Lee Iacocca became Ford's new president, the King Cobra project lost its drive. As a result, the car's hopes of competing in NASCAR faded. Now let's talk power. The King Cobra featured a powerful 429 cubic inch V8 engine, delivering 370 horsepower and 450 lbft of torque. Its 4-speed manual transmission allowed it to go from 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds. Despite its limited production and challenges, the 1970 Ford Torino King Cobra remains an iconic symbol of Ford's racing ambitions. Hold your breath to be amazed by a car that few experience, a rare treasure representing the engineering miracle. 3. 1967 Ford Shelby GT500 EXP500 Little Red The 1967 Ford Shelby GT500 EXP500, also known as Little Red, is a truly unique car with only one unit ever made. It all started on August 18, 1966, when the San Jose plant began making the 1967 Mustang. Shelby American in Los Angeles placed a special order for three Mustangs, a Fastback, a Coupe, and a Convertible, all painted a vibrant Candy Apple Red. These cars were meant to be prototypes for future Shelby models. The Coupe, which became Little Red, was given a powerful 428 police interceptor engine with a medium riser 2x4 intakes. It had a stylish black deluxe interior, air conditioning, tinted glass, and a remote mirror. Fred Goodell, as Shelby's chief engineer, oversaw the project and it quickly became his favorite Shelby. Little Red was designed to see if a Coupe could fit into the Shelby lineup for 1967 and 1968. Not only this, this one-of-a-kind car combined high performance with innovative design. Built by the same team that worked on the famous GT40s for the Le Mans race, Little Red earned its nickname because of its striking red color and impressive big block engine. Originally, it had a 390 V8 and a C6 automatic transmission, but they were soon swapped out for a supercharged 427 cubic inch FE V8 engine. This engine produced an incredible 594 horsepower and 480 LBFT of torque, allowing it to go from zero to 60 miles per hour in just five seconds. By January 1967, a Paxton supercharger was added, paving the way for future GT500 models. Carroll Shelby used Little Red to test various engine and transmission combinations, making it his vehicle for daily commutes while experimenting with Shelby's cutting edge technology. Little Red remains a standout in automotive history, showcasing Shelby's commitment to performance and style. Number two, 1968 Ford Shelby EXP500, the Green Hornet. The 1968 Ford Shelby EXP500, known as the Green Hornet, is a legendary car with only one unit ever made. This special prototype is unique in automotive history as one of the few factory prototypes from its time to escape being destroyed. It showcases the exciting innovations at Ford and Shelby American during the golden age of American muscle cars. In 1967, the Ford team was inspired by another prototype Mustang called Little Red. This inspiration led to the California Special or GT-CS. As part of this project, they built two prototypes, a lime gold 1968 Mustang notchback. This particular car featured a stylish ivy gold interior. It was powered by a 390 cubic inches V8 engine that produced 325 horsepower and 427 lbf of torque, paired with a four-speed manual transmission. It could zoom from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 6.3 seconds. Moreover, Ford decided to wait to move forward with the GT-CS program after showing off at various events. Instead of being scrapped, the lime gold Mustang was sent to Shelby American to become something special. It was transformed into an experimental model, the EXP500, nicknamed the Green Hornet. The car underwent many modifications, including an experimental fuel injection system, independent rear suspension, and unique rear disc brakes. Fred Goodell, Shelby's chief engineer, made it his project, dedicating much time to perfecting it. While most prototypes from that time ended up crushed, the Green Hornet survived thanks to a Ford executive who loved the car and managed to save it from destruction. For years, it was thought to have been lost like Little Red, turning its existence into an urban legend. Its rediscovery, documented by Fred Goodell himself, confirmed its authenticity. As a double prototype and experimental platform, the Green Hornet stands as a symbol of Ford and Shelby's incredible achievements in automotive history. Get excited to uncover the number one masterpiece in the rarest Ford muscle car lineup, a true beauty that only a few lucky car lovers have ever seen. Number one, 1967 Ford Shelby GT 500 Supersnake. The 1967 Ford Shelby GT 500 Supersnake is a truly special car with only one unit ever made. Originally built as a showcase vehicle for Goodyear to demonstrate its Thunderbolt tires, this Mustang has a unique place in automotive history. Speaking of its history, Carroll Shelby and dealer Don McCain envisioned a car that could perform even better than the existing Shelby GT 500. Drawing from his experience with F Ford's GT 40 racing efforts, Shelby was convinced by McCain to take a 427 cubic inches V8 engine from a GT 40 and drop it into the GT 500, which was initially meant for tire testing. Shelby engineer Fred Goodell jumped at the chance and set up the car with the same powerful engine that helped the GT 40 Macintosh win at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. The result was nothing short of amazing. This Mustang had around 520 horsepower and could go from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 4.2 seconds. It also had a top speed of 170 miles per hour. McCain was the one who gave this incredible vehicle its fitting name, Upper Snake. Finally, the Goodyear tire test went off without a hitch, even with the narrow white wall Thunderbolt tires fitted to the GT 500. Shelby pushed the car to reach that top speed of 170 miles per hour. In comparison, Goodell maintained an impressive average of 142 miles per hour, over 500 miles to prove its durability. Only this one test car was ever built, making it one of the most sought-after treasures for serious Mustang collectors. Have you ever driven any of these rare cars? If so, please share your thoughts with us in the comments below. And before you leave, remember to hit the like and subscribe to the channel.