The Ford Mustang has long been an icon of American automotive history, known for its performance, style, and cultural significance. Throughout its storied history, Ford has produced numerous Mustang variants, but some stand out as exceptionally rare and coveted by collectors. In this list, we explore 14 of the rarest Mustang models ever released, each with its own unique story and significance in the world of automotive enthusiasts. From experimental prototypes to limited-edition racing models, these Mustangs represent the pinnacle of Ford’s engineering prowess and continue to capture the imaginations of collectors and enthusiasts alike.
1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake
The 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake is one of the rarest Mustang models ever produced, with only one unit ever built. Originally intended as a high-performance prototype, this Mustang was equipped with a 427-cubic-inch V8 engine borrowed from the Shelby Cobra, making it the most powerful Mustang of its time. Despite its impressive performance, the high production cost and limited demand led to the cancellation of the Super Snake project, making this particular model one of a kind. In 2019, the sole surviving GT500 Super Snake was auctioned for a record-breaking $2.2 million, cementing its status as one of the most coveted Mustangs in history.
1969 Boss 429 Mustang
The 1969 Boss 429 Mustang is another highly sought-after model due to its rarity and performance credentials. With only 859 units produced for homologation purposes in NASCAR racing, the Boss 429 is one of the rarest Mustang variants ever made. Powered by a 429-cubic-inch V8 engine, the Boss 429 boasted impressive power and acceleration, making it a formidable competitor on the track. Today, pristine examples of the Boss 429 command premium prices on the collector car market, with some fetching upwards of $300,000 at auction.
1965 Shelby GT350R
The 1965 Shelby GT350R is a rare and highly desirable Mustang variant that was purpose-built for racing. With only 34 units produced, the GT350R featured a lightweight body, high-performance suspension, and a modified V8 engine, making it a dominant force on the racetrack. Known for its success in SCCA competition, the GT350R is considered one of the most iconic Mustang models of all time. Today, surviving examples of the GT350R are extremely rare and coveted by collectors, with auction prices often exceeding $1 million for well-documented, original cars.
1969 Mustang Boss 302 Trans Am
The 1969 Mustang Boss 302 Trans Am is a rare and highly sought-after model that was specifically built to compete in the SCCA Trans Am racing series. With only 26 units produced, the Boss 302 Trans Am featured a race-tuned suspension, lightweight body panels, and a high-revving V8 engine, making it a formidable competitor on the track. Despite its limited production numbers, the Boss 302 Trans Am achieved considerable success in racing, cementing its status as one of the rarest and most desirable Mustang models ever built. Today, surviving examples of the Boss 302 Trans Am are prized by collectors and can command six-figure prices at auction.
1969 Mustang Mach 1 Twister Special
The 1969 Mustang Mach 1 Twister Special is a rare and highly collectible variant that was produced in limited numbers for the Kansas City Sales District. With only 96 units produced, the Twister Special was distinguished by its unique graphics package and performance enhancements, including a 428 Cobra Jet V8 engine. Despite its limited production run, the Twister Special achieved considerable success in drag racing and remains a sought-after model among Mustang enthusiasts. Today, surviving examples of the Mach 1 Twister Special are rare and highly prized by collectors, with auction prices often exceeding $100,000 for well-preserved examples.
1969 Mustang Mach 1 428 Super Cobra Jet
The 1969 Mustang Mach 1 428 Super Cobra Jet is a rare and highly collectible variant that was produced in limited numbers for the performance-oriented enthusiast. With only 198 units produced, the Mach 1 428 Super Cobra Jet featured a powerful 428 cubic-inch V8 engine, special graphics package, and performance enhancements, making it a formidable muscle car on the street and strip. Despite its limited production numbers, the Mach 1 428 Super Cobra Jet achieved considerable success in drag racing and remains a sought-after model among Mustang enthusiasts. Today, surviving examples of the Mach 1 428 Super Cobra Jet are rare and highly prized by collectors, with auction prices often exceeding $150,000 for well-preserved examples.
1967 Mustang Shelby GT350 Convertible
The 1967 Mustang Shelby GT350 Convertible is a rare and highly collectible variant that was produced in limited numbers for the enthusiast who wanted the combination of open-air motoring and high-performance driving. With only 35 units produced, the GT350 Convertible featured a modified V8 engine, race-tuned suspension, and special graphics package, making it a distinctive and sought-after model among Mustang enthusiasts. Despite its limited production numbers, the GT350 Convertible achieved considerable success in racing and remains a highly desirable model among collectors. Today, surviving examples of the GT350 Convertible are rare and can command premium prices at auction.
1966 Mustang Shelby GT350H “Rent-A-Racer”
The 1966 Mustang Shelby GT350H, also known as the “Rent-A-Racer,” is a rare and highly collectible variant that was produced in limited numbers for Hertz rental car locations. With only 1,001 units produced, the GT350H featured a modified V8 engine, race-tuned suspension, and special graphics package, making it a distinctive and sought-after model among Mustang enthusiasts. Despite its limited production numbers, the GT350H achieved considerable success in racing and remains a highly desirable model among collectors. Today, surviving examples of the GT350H are rare and can command premium prices at auction.
2000 Mustang SVT Cobra R
The 2000 Mustang SVT Cobra R is a rare and highly collectible variant that was produced in limited numbers for the enthusiast who wanted the ultimate performance Mustang. With only 300 units produced, the SVT Cobra R featured a high-revving V8 engine, race-tuned suspension, and special aerodynamic enhancements, making it the most powerful and track-capable Mustang of its time. Despite its limited production numbers, the SVT Cobra R achieved considerable success on the racetrack and remains a highly sought-after model among collectors. Today, surviving examples of the SVT Cobra R are rare and can command premium prices at auction.
2012 Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca
The 2012 Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca is a rare and highly collectible variant that was produced in limited numbers for the enthusiast who wanted the ultimate track-ready Mustang. With only 750 units produced, the Boss 302 Laguna Seca featured a high-revving V8 engine, race-tuned suspension, and special aerodynamic enhancements, making it the most capable and aggressive Mustang of its time. Despite its limited production numbers, the Boss 302 Laguna Seca achieved considerable success on the racetrack and remains a highly sought-after model among collectors. Today, surviving examples of the Boss 302 Laguna Seca are rare and can command premium prices at auction.
2013 Mustang Shelby GT500 “Super Snake”
The 2013 Mustang Shelby GT500 “Super Snake” is a rare and highly collectible variant that was produced in limited numbers for the enthusiast who wanted the ultimate performance Mustang. With only 500 units produced, the Super Snake featured a supercharged V8 engine, race-tuned suspension, and special aerodynamic enhancements, making it the most powerful and aggressive Mustang of its time. Despite its limited production numbers, the Super Snake achieved considerable success on the street and strip and remains a highly sought-after model among collectors. Today, surviving examples of the Super Snake are rare and can command premium prices at auction.
1965 Mustang Shelby GT350 Paxton Prototype
The 1965 Mustang Shelby GT350 Paxton Prototype is an exceptionally rare variant that served as a testbed for the Paxton supercharger system. With only two prototypes produced, this Mustang featured a modified V8 engine equipped with a Paxton centrifugal supercharger, which significantly increased horsepower and performance. Despite its limited production numbers, the GT350 Paxton Prototype played a crucial role in the development of supercharged Mustangs and remains highly sought after by collectors.
1971 Mustang Boss 351
The 1971 Mustang Boss 351 is a rare and highly collectible variant that was produced for only one model year. With only 1,806 units built, the Boss 351 featured a high-performance 351 cubic-inch V8 engine, upgraded suspension, and distinctive Boss styling cues. Despite being overshadowed by earlier Boss models, the Boss 351 offered impressive performance and remains a sought-after model among Mustang enthusiasts.
2015 Mustang Shelby GT350R
The 2015 Mustang Shelby GT350R is a rare and highly sought-after variant that was produced in limited numbers for the enthusiast who wanted the ultimate track-ready Mustang. With only 37 units produced for the 2015 model year, the GT350R featured lightweight carbon fiber wheels, a high-revving flat-plane crank V8 engine, and track-tuned suspension, making it the most track-capable Mustang of its time. Despite its limited production numbers, the GT350R achieved considerable success on the racetrack and remains a highly desirable model among collectors.
This article originally appeared on Rarest.org.
